okenwillow's review against another edition
3.0
Le dernier roman de la série dite “gothique” de Joyce Carol Oates, un pavé conséquent que j’ai mis beaucoup de temps à lire. Beaucoup.
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[Vous pouvez lire la suite sur mon blog, merci :)]
[...]
[Vous pouvez lire la suite sur mon blog, merci :)]
readingthethings's review against another edition
2.0
✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟi read this novel ONLY because a friend gifted it to me assuming i'd love it ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ i winced through the whole thing ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ i completely see what oates was doing in this & even kind of like what she was doing ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ but the writing style is soooooooo much ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ it leaves me wanting to reach the surface of the water & get some air ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟi imagine this is a taste thing and not a reflection of the book ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ i've tried a couple by oates, whose work is well thought of by many ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ it's just not my style at all ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟalso, i don't really go for horror most of the time ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ in this case i can completely see why she was using horror: she was using it as a metaphor for what was actually happening in history ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ i love the idea of that ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ reminds me of northanger abbey ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ however, i still don't like horror ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ sorry ms. oates! ♡
paigicus's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Murder, Infidelity, and Mental illness
into_the_wreck's review against another edition
3.0
I received a free copy of The Accursed as part of a Goodreads, First Reads giveaway. It was a hefty read, but a fascinating one nonetheless. Joyce Carol Oates writes in the voice of a historian recounting a series of strange and otherworldly events that happened in turn of the century Princeton. Some readers will complain that the novel drags on at points and certain chapters are filled with unnecessary information and footnotes. I believe this was Oates' intention to give the story the feel of a history written by a verbose and somewhat singularly focused scholar. Some of our historian narrators chapters and footnotes can be skipped over entirely by the reader who is more interested in getting to the meat of the story. I found the extra information useful in terms of laying out the complete backdrop to the novel.
The Accursed is a true gothic novel with all kinds of equally fascinating and horrific characters. I enjoyed the blending of true historical figures with completely factionalized persons and events. It would be interesting to do some research to see how accurate Oates' portrayal was of figures such as Woodrow Wilson and Upton Sinclair. Overall, it was an enjoyable albeit long read that also provided an interesting glimpse at the social and political landscape of turn-of-the-century New England.
The Accursed is a true gothic novel with all kinds of equally fascinating and horrific characters. I enjoyed the blending of true historical figures with completely factionalized persons and events. It would be interesting to do some research to see how accurate Oates' portrayal was of figures such as Woodrow Wilson and Upton Sinclair. Overall, it was an enjoyable albeit long read that also provided an interesting glimpse at the social and political landscape of turn-of-the-century New England.
atb's review against another edition
2.0
I felt like the author's style got in the way of the story. The stopping and starting with the historian took me out of the flow.
laurelinwonder's review against another edition
4.0
I'd like to begin with a quote from Goodreads reviewer Maya Lang:
"I really wish I could have observed that moment when Joyce Carol Oates was like, 'You know, maybe I'll write a Gothic with demon bridegrooms that brings together Woodrow Wilson and Upton Sinclair. Something spooky that also sheds light on turn-of-the-century issues of race and class. Oh, and I'll do it from the perspective of a male historian who's the son of one of the characters and thus implicated in the whole story. Just, you know, to stretch myself a little.' "
Lang nails my overall thoughts about this book, even if it's not my favorite Oates novel. I enjoyed the historical fiction play that happened here, and the footnotes that illuminated the scenes. The Gothic tendencies were well wrought (as usual), it just felt a little long for once.
"I really wish I could have observed that moment when Joyce Carol Oates was like, 'You know, maybe I'll write a Gothic with demon bridegrooms that brings together Woodrow Wilson and Upton Sinclair. Something spooky that also sheds light on turn-of-the-century issues of race and class. Oh, and I'll do it from the perspective of a male historian who's the son of one of the characters and thus implicated in the whole story. Just, you know, to stretch myself a little.' "
Lang nails my overall thoughts about this book, even if it's not my favorite Oates novel. I enjoyed the historical fiction play that happened here, and the footnotes that illuminated the scenes. The Gothic tendencies were well wrought (as usual), it just felt a little long for once.
vbroes's review against another edition
1.0
An overlong, sprawling, rambling mess that needed editing badly.
cinephilegirl_'s review against another edition
Too boring for a vampire story. I hate to have to hate this book
avalydia's review against another edition
3.0
A very interesting book. Not sure how I felt about it; not sure I understood all of it. Clearly an ambitious undertaking - perhaps too ambitious? Was the subplot with Upton Sinclair necessary? - and quite well-written. I don't think I'll be reading it again, but I don't regret the time I spent reading it.