A review by kellymat77
My Heart Laid Bare by Joyce Carol Oates

5.0

While wandering around my roommate’s hometown of Northampton, Massachusetts, we stopped in a bookstore called “The Raven” and I bought this book. Following the long, sordid history of the Licht family, My Heart Laid Bare was absolutely captivating. I love mysteries and scandals and crimes, so this family of con men (and women) held my full attention. This book is one of those where it is glaringly clear that the author is also a poet. The prose is gorgeous but intentionally confusing, and it’s easy to miss hints about what’s going on, especially because every character has a series of aliases. I really need to read more of Oates’ poetry. My one critique of this book is that the beginning was stronger than the end. I appreciated the collapse into insanity that Abraham faced towards the end, but I missed the convoluted tales of “The Game” from the earlier chapters. I’m still trying to figure out why this book struck such a strong chord with me, but I’m glad it did.