meetmeinmalkovich's review against another edition
5.0
This is the very first novel from Joyce Carol Oates that I have read. I have read almost all of her short stories, but today the library gave me this, as if the pagelings knew I needed something quick yet real, bold, and (this is key) NOT fantastical. I have been stuck in that genre as of late...
Anyhow,
I admire JCO's style of writing. It flows really nicely from page to page and before you know it, the book is over, and you are left satisfied yet overwhelmed. She has a way of illustrating lewd scenes so that you are doing more by way of imagining the implications of what you are reading than actually having those things written down. Much like her short stories, only a bit longer, "Beasts" digs into humanity's more carnal nature, exploiting a darker side of sexual deviance in a small college town in Massachusetts -- an all-woman's college and a suave male professor (of course) and the women of an elite poetry workshop are targeted, for the most part by their own will, until things become more than casual meetings. This novella is dark, deep, and interesting, with a very classic Oates flair.
Anyhow,
I admire JCO's style of writing. It flows really nicely from page to page and before you know it, the book is over, and you are left satisfied yet overwhelmed. She has a way of illustrating lewd scenes so that you are doing more by way of imagining the implications of what you are reading than actually having those things written down. Much like her short stories, only a bit longer, "Beasts" digs into humanity's more carnal nature, exploiting a darker side of sexual deviance in a small college town in Massachusetts -- an all-woman's college and a suave male professor (of course) and the women of an elite poetry workshop are targeted, for the most part by their own will, until things become more than casual meetings. This novella is dark, deep, and interesting, with a very classic Oates flair.
kuroneko86's review against another edition
3.75
Sono combattuta... ★★★☆ 3,75 ?
Le vibes da Dark academia sono perfette, l'amore folle c'è, la relazione illecita pure.
Aggiungiamo anche un po' di fuoco e una cerchia di amiche/nemiche, tutte con i loro problemi...eppure forse sono molto più simili di quanto si creda.
Nonostante la breve durata del libro la scrittura della Oates ti fa immergere nella vita di Gillian, e ti fa sentire di essere Gillian.
Il fatto è che...avrei voluto di più!
Le vibes da Dark academia sono perfette, l'amore folle c'è, la relazione illecita pure.
Aggiungiamo anche un po' di fuoco e una cerchia di amiche/nemiche, tutte con i loro problemi...eppure forse sono molto più simili di quanto si creda.
Nonostante la breve durata del libro la scrittura della Oates ti fa immergere nella vita di Gillian, e ti fa sentire di essere Gillian.
Il fatto è che...avrei voluto di più!
tscott907's review
3.75
A dark, dream-hazy book that I would have read in one sitting if I didn’t have to go back to work. Will not be for everyone but it was very for me. Short but packs a huge punch; the only reason it’s not rated higher is because I wanted more of the protagonist before she came to the school.
a3bowles's review against another edition
5.0
Haunting. Captivating. Erotic. Nauseating. Exciting.
I was enthralled and repulsed all at once. I frequently had to put this book down to come up for air.
I don't want to say much and give it away, but this book needs a patient and strong reader. I love J.C.O. and this book was a perfect example of the sometimes brutal and self-serving nature of human beings.
I was enthralled and repulsed all at once. I frequently had to put this book down to come up for air.
I don't want to say much and give it away, but this book needs a patient and strong reader. I love J.C.O. and this book was a perfect example of the sometimes brutal and self-serving nature of human beings.
curioreads's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
nocturnal's review
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5