Gosh, I really disliked this book.

It was incredibly boring. The title was completely misleading, which made me have certain expectations that were not met at all.

The characters were totally unlikable. I just couldn't find any connection or sympathy for them.

I may be somewhat dense, but I truly did not understand what this book was about. Was it about a troubled black girl on a merit scholarship to a private northeast college in the mid-70s? Or was it about her equally troubled white roommate struggling with her wacky childhood growing up as the daughter of a radical lawyer?

I feel completely robbed of my time. The title was misleading, and the book itself was also misleading. Very early in the book, you learn that Minette dies, and the reader is left to make some assumptions about why and how. But again, it's all just a mislead.

The only upside is that I borrowed it from the library. So the only thing that's wasted is my time.

I thought the movie was okay.

At first, I wasn't really that interested, but as it went on, I started to like it more.

However, I don't think I fully understood everything.

There was a lot of American politics from the 70s and so on that was mentioned, and I'm not very familiar with that.

Maybe if I knew more about the historical context, I would have enjoyed the movie even more.

Overall, it was an interesting movie, but it definitely had its flaws.

I think it could have been better if they had explained some of the political references a bit more clearly.

Still, I'm glad I watched it and it gave me something to think about.

I might even watch it again at some point to see if I can pick up on more details.

This was an absolutely dreadful book filled with appalling characters.

Minette, the 'Black Girl' mentioned in the title, is the daughter of a preacher. She is by far the rudest, most obnoxious, and spiteful bitch one could ever imagine. She deliberately goes out of her way to make everyone despise her.

'White Girl' is her roommate Genna, who attempts to be her friend but is constantly rebuffed. Genna is a complete wimp and a doormat, allowing Minette to walk all over her. It gives the impression that she is too scared to admit she hates Minette for fear of being thought of as racist. I really wanted to slap Genna for continuously excusing her roommate to everyone else and covering up for her behavior.

What was the point of this book? Minette clearly had a chip on her shoulder about life in general and even faked racial attacks to portray herself as a victim. The real victims in this story were the other girls who fell under suspicion for the so-called racist attacks. And Genna's decision to lie to cover up for a girl who sneers at her friendship and looks down on her is simply incomprehensible. She should have snitched on the bitch! I hated both girls so much, and the plot really infuriated me to the extent that I celebrated Minette's suicide.

This is one of the worst books I've ever read, and I will definitely not be going anywhere near this author again.

Part of me thinks that this is a great read about privilege and guilt. It is set in Pennsylvania at a college in the 70s, which is frankly quite refreshing.

However, another part of me feels that this story about some chick's dad issues is not exactly what I signed up for.

Overall, I would rate this book three stars. It has its interesting aspects, such as the exploration of privilege and guilt in a specific time and place. The setting in the 70s college in Pennsylvania adds a certain charm and新鲜感. But at the same time, the focus on the main character's dad issues can be a bit tiresome for some readers.

Perhaps if the story had balanced these elements better or delved deeper into the other themes, it could have received a higher rating. Nevertheless, it is still an okay read that may appeal to those who are interested in the topics it presents.

Set in 1975,

a black girl named Minette Swift and a white girl named Generva Meade meet as freshman roommates at Schuyler College in Pennsylvania.

Minette, who came from Washington DC on scholarship and is one of just a few minority students, struggles with academic life and feels extremely homesick for the familiar world she left behind, including her family and her father's church.

Generva, on the other hand, is a straight A student from a boarding school in Boston. Her father is a prominent lawyer and their forebears are the abolitionist Quakers who actually founded Schuyler College.

Generva is quiet and unassuming, while Minette is assertive and proud. As Generva attempts to befriend her roommate, her efforts are continuously rebuffed. Racial tension gradually mounts, along with emotions and suspicions. The situation worsens until there is an explosion of a twisted back story and tragedy that will change their lives forever.

This is a highly intricate drama

recounted by a college freshman who is attending an elite liberal arts school on the East coast. This school was established by her great-grandfather. She is a privileged and meek girl

who is attempting to discover herself. Eventually, she achieves this through her roommate, the cold and suspicious Minette Swift. In the early 70's, Minette is one of only a few minority students at the college

. Sadly, Minette meets a mysterious death halfway through the spring term. Subsequently, the story of the narrator's upbringing starts to unwind

and reveals her family for what they have transformed into...

This was my initial Joyce Carol Oates book, and I am certain that it will not be my final one! I was completely engrossed in the complex characters and the captivating plot. The way Oates weaves the story together is truly masterful. I can't wait to explore more of her works and see what other literary gems she has in store for readers.

Have I mentioned that I love JCO?

Gennna, a privileged white girl descended from the founders of Schuyler College in Pennsylvania, rooms with Minette Swift. Minette is from Washington DC and is the black daughter of a preacher. It's the 1970s, post-Vietnam, when racial tensions are running high.

Minette keeps to herself and knows nothing about Genna's quirky, liberal family. Genna's father, Max Meade, is a civil rights lawyer and a radical activist with questionable morals. Her mother, Veronica, is a weak and needy woman.

Genna tries to befriend Minette, but without success. The book is truly fascinating as it addresses various themes such as politics, hatred, condescending liberal attitudes, parental expectations, and young adult rebellion. It delves deep into the complex relationships and the social context of that time, making it a thought-provoking read.

Each character is well-developed, and their interactions add depth and authenticity to the story. The author's writing style is engaging, and it draws the reader in from the very beginning.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in exploring these themes and understanding the challenges and struggles of that era.

Joyce Carol Oates is indeed an extremely intelligent author.

She possess an in-depth knowledge of various locations, a profound understanding of history, and a remarkable command of language.

Nevertheless, as a reader, I frequently find myself acutely aware of these aspects while perusing her books.

I am constantly conscious that she, as the author, is about to tell me about a particular location or a historical event, or that at this moment, she is going to employ a particularly literary device to narrate a section of her story.

Rather than enhancing the stories, this often has the opposite effect for me as a reader, fragmenting the narrative.

In "Black Girl/White Girl," there was an overabundance of literary devices being utilized - an excessive number of different narrative voices, numerous subtle shifts in point of view and narration, and too many plot deviations.

I initially thought it was quite ingenious to veil the true intent of the story throughout.

However, by the end, I felt that I should have been able to discern that this was the actual true intent all along, rather than being as astonished as the main character was upon discovering the true nature of the story.

Due to my great surprise, I found myself disappointed.

I was eager to know what really happened to Minnette Swift.

Was the racism entirely fabricated by her, or was some of it genuine?

Was her death completely accidental?

Perhaps this would be a more suitable book to teach in school, given its historical subtext (which becomes the main text...).

Either way, it fails to inspire me to revisit Oates' work in the near future.

The novel commences with a vivid portrayal of a cracked window in the shared dorm room of the two protagonists. This scene instantly creates the core tension that persists, in some respects, throughout the entire novel. It poses a question that appears to have no straightforward answer, yet through its exploration, we glean a great deal about the characters involved.

Soon, we are thrust into another pivotal scene where Genna's family watches Nixon resign on TV. The exploration of Max's character, his relationship with his wife and daughter, and the defeated president on the screen is captivating, raw, and completely unexpected. At the conclusion of this scene, I was astounded by the audacity, intimacy, and unflinching nature of the writing. I could only anticipate the same level of excellence in the pages that followed.

Perhaps this is why the middle section initially felt disappointing. It required some willpower and a fair amount of skimming on my part to make it through. Part of the problem was that the narrative stance seemed confusing, as the narrator continuously turned around to vaguely summarize events that had occurred a few hours or days earlier within a timeline that was already retrospective, fifteen years in the past. The events here also seemed difficult to grasp, as the narrative had a very impressionistic feel.

However, I am extremely glad that I persevered because the book ultimately proved to be powerful, meaningful, and the relatively mundane and vaguely recollected descriptions in the middle third served an important purpose. The final section progresses rapidly yet delves deeply into the characters' choices, motives, and reflections, elevating the events in the book to a much deeper level. The writing also remains consistent, being both minimalist and powerful, with a voice that is true to the chosen narrator's background, mindset, and education.

Overall, the book is a smart and well-rendered study of this time period and these characters, maintaining a level of tension regarding the questions of race, morality, and friendship. I would recommend it, even though I would admit that the narrative style is not my typical preference.

This book was truly captivating and I was completely engrossed in it. I simply couldn't put it down throughout the entire weekend until I had finished the story.

The story transports you to a bygone era and a specific place that my generation has never witnessed. It's almost难以置信 that in the relatively recent past, acts of racism were so blatant and frequently overlooked.

Moreover, it's astonishing to think that despite all the changes that have occurred over time, racism still persists as a harsh reality in our society, albeit sometimes more subtly disguised.

This is also a story about loyalty, not just loyalty to our loved ones but also loyalty to remaining true to ourselves and our beliefs.

This is the third book of Oates that I have read, and so far, it is my absolute favorite. It has left a profound impact on me and has made me reflect on various aspects of life and society.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in a thought-provoking and engaging read that will stay with you long after you've turned the last page.

In the searing style of Joyce Carol Oates, we are introduced to the captivating characters of this tale set in the seventies. It is a story that delves deep into the differences between black and white, the harsh reality of racial discrimination, and the murky gray areas of morality.

Two girls with vastly different backgrounds share a room in the dorm at Schuyler College near Philadelphia. There is Minette Swift, the black minister's daughter from Washington, D.C., and Generva (Genna) Meade, the daughter of Maximilian Meade, a wealthy and privileged man who represents the civil rights of anti-war protestors and terrorists, and is also descended from the founders of the college.

Minette Swift becomes an obsession for Generva Meade, who feels compelled to follow in her father's footsteps as the savior of the downtrodden. However, her efforts to win Minette's favor and perhaps gain some of her father's attention seem to be in vain, as Minette becomes increasingly isolated and shuts herself off from any act of human kindness.

Throughout "Black Girl/White Girl," we are left to question the strange incidences of apparent racial harassment and wonder who the perpetrator might be. Then, a tragic accident occurs, resulting in a death and leaving more questions than answers.

Years later, Generva Meade-Hewitt, now a professor at a small state university, visits her father in prison. She has created a manuscript that describes the events of that fateful year in 1974-75, when one young woman's paranoia and another's obsession seemingly combined to set in motion a series of tragic events. In the process, she is forced to examine her own behavior and wonder how her own sins of omission might have contributed to these tragedies.

This tale was not my absolute favorite from this author, but I was unable to put it down. I had to keep turning the pages, eager to discover what surprises awaited me. Therefore, I am giving this one four stars.

Although this book took quite a while to get into (169 pages, to be precise), I'm glad I read it.

Joyce Carol Oates has an incredibly large number of books under her belt. I was initially worried that her style would be like a female version of Nicholas Sparks - not exactly chick-lit or romance, but just something that felt 'cheap'. However, I was wrong.

She employs several techniques that other writers might find interesting to try. Her unique formations for flashbacks add depth and complexity to the story. The repetition of certain phrases and thoughts creates a sense of rhythm and emphasis. The clues of ambiguity regarding Genna's involvement with Minette's ultimate 'breakdown' (which I consider more of a death) keep the reader engaged and guessing.

However, I did feel disconnected at times and confused in other parts. I'm not entirely sure if the conclusion I reached at the end of the book is the correct one. Additionally, I didn't really believe in Jenna's character. It wasn't that I didn't like her; I just couldn't fully buy into her as a real person.

Despite these drawbacks, I might still pick up another book by her since there are so many to choose from. I hope that the next one will be easier to get into and more engaging than this one.