A review by laurelinwonder
Daddy Love by Joyce Carol Oates

4.0

Wow, this one's difficult to rate. I want to give it three stars because there were a lot of lulls in the storyline that didn't keep my attention nor add to the plot. I also hate to give a high rating to something that is insanely horrific and realistic, content that actually made me feel physically ill as a mother. Joyce Carol Oates has been on my radar for many years, there have been some books I could have done without but very few. Her best work is the work that draws from reality, digs into the psyche of perpetrators and victims, and just rocks me mentally with visuals. Some people want to fold her for some of her choices and writing styles, but I think it's important to remember how long she's been writing, and the style in which she has created for herself and American literature. I also think it's really important to think about why someone might zoom in on such horror. I appreciate that this was a shorter work, and it definitely functions like many of her horrific short stories, which tend to be my favorite. If you are sensible to stories about grooming, that are particularly graphic and violent please skip this one. But if you are prepared for the emotional undertaking it is wonderful better shorts.