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suneaters's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-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
4.0
This is pedantic, but I feel that the stories concern a lack of love instead of "love gone too far". Austin doesn't love Mariana, Desmond doesn't love Lizbeth, Bart doesn't love his parents, and G. didn't love Cecelia. If these character had displayed actual love, then the stories wouldn't exist.
But anyway. I enjoy all four tales. The first two were my favorite, but you know something is "off" in each one from the very beginning. They build and build until the horrifying climax begins. The falling action is weaker though. Overall, a great collection of shorts.
Evil Eye was a great, tense thriller where we follow Mariana's declining mental health amidst a tense visit with her distant and violent husband Austin's ex-wife Ines. In the end, it's left ambiguous as to if she takes Ines's advice and poisons Austin. If she doesn't flee, it's likely Austin will end up killing her.
So Near Any Time Always was equally tense, starting off with a pleasant talk in the city as Lizbeth walked her bike home and culminating in Desmond's deranged stalking and animal abuse. Justice for Rollo. I think this story was the strongest. The ending where we learn about young Desmond murdering sister in a fit of rage on the river is interesting and chills the reader. I wonder if that's why he was turned away at the canoe rental. Condition of release: do not get in any boats. His story is tragic, but when he dies all I could manage was a sigh of relief.
The Execution is a look into the mind of men whokill their family members like Chandler Halderson, Joel Guy Jr., Grant Amato, and others . Bart's spoiled, selfish mindset and complete break from reality (especially concerning his shock that his frat bros aren't ride or die) paint a picture of a disturbed young man for whom nothing was ever enough. When his mother woke up and defended him was when the story turned from a news report into a horror movie. All the reader can ask is if she knows? If she suspects? Oh, honey, no, she had called when Bart was attacking. He's maimed her for life and killed her husband. She must not know...or is she cutting her losses? He's all that's left to her. Such a creepy story and you have to wonder if he'll end up killing her in the end anyway. They could retry him at any time, so there is that at least.
The Flatbed is another story that's less creepy and scary and more sad.Cecelia's resurfacing trauma about being molested by her grandfather keeps interrupting her life and relationships. The repressed memory trope is kind of trite, but the ending with the "perfect" (maybe) murder turns the story from sad to horrifying. Will they get away with it? If they break up, will N. kill her too to ensure the truth never gets out?
But anyway. I enjoy all four tales. The first two were my favorite, but you know something is "off" in each one from the very beginning. They build and build until the horrifying climax begins. The falling action is weaker though. Overall, a great collection of shorts.
Evil Eye was a great, tense thriller where we follow Mariana's declining mental health amidst a tense visit with her distant and violent husband Austin's ex-wife Ines.
So Near Any Time Always was equally tense, starting off with a pleasant talk in the city as Lizbeth walked her bike home and culminating in
The Execution is a look into the mind of men who
The Flatbed is another story that's less creepy and scary and more sad.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, Stalking, Murder, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Child death, Cursing, Death, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Sexual violence, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal death and Car accident
thebigemmt505's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Evil Eye contains four novellas that explore the more unsavory sides to love. Joyce Carol Oates has a prose that’s endearing, although difficult to grasp at first. The stories are all unique with thematic links that are dark and thought-provoking. Notably, in a feminist way, this book explores women’s strength and passivity in love and how damaging both can be. It’s a well-written thematic collection of stories, even if there are flaws.
Evil Eye: The first novella, while it sets up the themes of the collection well, is the least interesting story-wise. It’s ending and reveal come abruptly and awkwardly. There’s a strange, mutedly sexual dynamic between the two wives that didn’t have much build up. That being said, Mariana’s choice is left up to interpretation which is a nice touch.
So Near Any Time Always: So familiar is this story to those who have dealt with obsessive male behavior. The story gets points off for the beyond cliché dog death (I take stars off every piece of media that includes dog death, not for its cruelty, for it’s overuse as a trope and easy shock value.) . Overall, though, there’s an interesting exploration of obsession in this story.
The Execution: Frat dudes be like that, enough said. In all seriousness the entitlement of the son and the fierce, pained denial of a mother blinded by her instinctual love is striking in this tale. The nuances of court cases are also well explored here. That said, the story is somewhat clunky and there are points that are repeated various times unnecessarily.
The Flatbed: My favorite of the short stories, The Flatbed expertly explores the emotional burden of a sexual abuse victim and the frustrating physical anguish that accompanies trauma. The love between Cecilia and N. is not deeply explored but the implications of its heroic yet twisted nature are alluring to the reader. The idea that her sexual reticence resolved after the murder of her grandfather is a bit frustrating, though. Although perhaps the suddenness is intentional.
Evil Eye is a great collection of stories for anyone who wishes to read about the dark side of love. I would recommend this novel!
Evil Eye: The first novella, while it sets up the themes of the collection well, is the least interesting story-wise. It’s ending and reveal come abruptly and awkwardly. There’s a strange, mutedly sexual dynamic between the two wives that didn’t have much build up. That being said, Mariana’s choice is left up to interpretation which is a nice touch.
So Near Any Time Always: So familiar is this story to those who have dealt with obsessive male behavior. The story gets points off for the beyond cliché
The Execution: Frat dudes be like that, enough said. In all seriousness the entitlement of the son and the fierce, pained denial of a mother blinded by her instinctual love is striking in this tale. The nuances of court cases are also well explored here. That said, the story is somewhat clunky and there are points that are repeated various times unnecessarily.
The Flatbed: My favorite of the short stories, The Flatbed expertly explores the emotional burden of a sexual abuse victim and the frustrating physical anguish that accompanies trauma. The love between Cecilia and N. is not deeply explored but the implications of its heroic yet twisted nature are alluring to the reader. The idea that her sexual reticence resolved
Evil Eye is a great collection of stories for anyone who wishes to read about the dark side of love. I would recommend this novel!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Sexism, Death of parent, and Murder
Minor: Pedophilia, Violence, and Car accident