Well, that was truly a painful experience. I made the decision to read a book of short stories by Joyce Carol Oates. I was aware that she was a highly renowned and respected American author, and I had the thought that I would explore and understand what her entire body of work was all about.

To avoid giving away any spoilers, I will summarize, in no specific order, the main events of the first twenty stories in this collection. There are two instances where a brother assaults a sister, a serial killer-rapist, two cases of attempted rape and an actual rape, a suicide and an attempted suicide, a girl killed by her boyfriend, a woman kills her abusive husband, a man kills his cousin, an attempted murder of a girl, a story that is a litany of various crimes less than felonies, a man beats a woman, a boy is killed for his body parts, one story about stalking and counter-stalking, a man kills his daughter's supposed boyfriend, and one where nothing bad occurs. Maybe that doesn't quite add up to twenty, but trust me, there are only two or three stories where grievous harm is not involved. And in basically every case, a man is the perpetrator, or his abusive behavior drives the woman to kill him or take her own life. How cheerful is that, eh?

This pattern really got me thinking. I have known or been acquainted with countless people throughout my life, perhaps thousands or even tens of thousands. And in all these years, I have known personally only one person who was murdered, and I knew her only slightly. Yet, I have known many people who were deathly afraid of home invasion and, as a result, kept guns to defend themselves. The possession of these guns undoubtedly leads to other suicides or homicides. I couldn't help but think that Ms. Oates was one of those upper middle-class individuals who fear assault or murder by the "others". And this constant pattern of bad men killing, raping, sexually assaulting, or beating women began to wear on me, to the point where it truly became a chore to finish the book. To be fair, in her later stories, some sympathetic male characters started to emerge, but in such small numbers. Elizabeth Strout and Margaret Atwood do not write in this manner. Their male characters are sometimes bad and sometimes good; they are not one-dimensional.

I am not naive, and I do not deny that such things happen. However, they do not occur at even 1/100th the rate that one would assume if Ms. Oates' work was the only guide to life in the United States. In one of her stories, the male protagonist asks the female protagonist, "Do you just hate men, or is it the whole species?" That's a good question, Ms. Oates. Even in the stories where men are sympathetic, the story itself is usually a downer. The quality of the writing is quite good, but I would choose Margaret Atwood any day of the week over Joyce Carol Oates' world where 90% of men are violent and 70% of women are weak. Perhaps an even better antidote to this dismal experience might be to read some more Jane Austen books that I've been meaning to start.

Oh well, now I know that J.C. Oates is not for me.

Joyce Carol Oates is truly an outstanding writer.

Her work is highly regarded and she has a remarkable talent. This particular collection contains a vast number of her short stories, perhaps around a billion.

The stories are presented in a diverse range of styles and voices, which showcases her versatility as a writer. She can effortlessly shift from one genre to another, demonstrating her wide-ranging abilities.

However, there was one story in the collection that didn't quite resonate with me. It was her attempt at writing science fiction. While I appreciate her willingness to explore different genres, this particular story didn't quite hit the mark for me.

Nevertheless, I still have to give her credit for trying something new. Overall, this collection is a testament to her talent and creativity as a writer.

It offers readers a rich and diverse reading experience, with each story offering something unique and engaging.

Joyce Carol Oates is truly a genius.

Her stories are not only brilliantly written but also possess an irresistible charm that keeps readers like me constantly turning the pages.

The way she weaves words together to create vivid characters and engaging plots is simply remarkable.

Each story is a unique world, filled with emotions, conflicts, and surprises.

Oates has a remarkable ability to explore the human psyche and bring out the deepest and most complex aspects of our nature.

Her writing is both thought-provoking and entertaining, making it a pleasure to read.

Whether it's a short story or a novel, Joyce Carol Oates always manages to captivate her audience and leave them wanting more.

Her work is a testament to her talent and creativity, and it will continue to be cherished by readers for years to come.

Joyce Carol Oates is, as always, truly wonderful. Her talent and creativity are simply remarkable.

However, this particular volume is a bit of a letdown. It is far too long, especially considering that it is comprised of stories with such similar themes. After a while, it simply becomes tedious and repetitive.

Each individual story has its own merits and could be much better appreciated if it were to stand alone, rather than being grouped together in this thick collection. It seems that the sheer volume of stories with similar themes has somewhat diluted their impact.

Perhaps a more carefully curated selection, or a shorter collection with more diverse themes, would have made for a more engaging and enjoyable read. As it stands, this volume feels a bit overwhelming and loses some of its charm due to its length and sameness.

Simply brilliant! This is the only way to describe her writing. From the very first sentence, I was completely hooked. Her words have a magical quality that draws you in and makes you unable to put the book down.

Every page is filled with vivid descriptions, engaging characters, and a storyline that keeps you on the edge of your seat. It's as if she has the ability to transport you into another world, a world that you never want to leave.

I find myself constantly thinking about her books, even when I'm not reading them. Her writing has had such an impact on me that I can't wait to pick up her next book and see where her imagination will take me.

In conclusion, I would highly recommend her writing to anyone who loves a good story. She is truly a talented author, and I have no doubt that she will continue to write amazing books for years to come.

I give this five stars because High Lonesome is truly one of the best stories I've ever had the pleasure of reading. In fact, it might just be my absolute favorite JCO story to this very date.

I haven't read every single one of her stories, as that would be an incredibly monotonous task. Given that many of her stories deal with similar themes and are told in a rather consistent voice, which is the trademark of JCO.

Oates has this amazing ability to creep you out and reveal the darkest aspects of various situations. Violence, rape, and other horrible things are often at the core of her stories, and her characters seldom enjoy a happy ending.

Of course, this is precisely the reason why I am so drawn to reading her works. No one else is quite as willing to get as gritty and raw as she does. However, after reading 50+ of her stories, it can eventually become a bit tiresome.

Still, she will always remain a favorite of mine. And for anyone out there looking for a good JCO fix, they can easily pick up this collection and choose a story at random. Just make sure not to skip High Lonesome, as that one is pure genius.

This is a very interesting collection that features the great short stories of a remarkable writer.

Each story within this collection has its own unique charm and allure. The writer's masterful storytelling skills are on full display, captivating readers from the very first sentence.

The diverse range of themes and settings explored in these short stories add to their appeal. Whether it's a tale of love and loss, a mystery that keeps you on the edge of your seat, or a thought-provoking exploration of human nature, there is something for everyone in this collection.

The characters are vividly drawn, making it easy for readers to become invested in their lives and experiences. Overall, this collection of short stories is a must-read for any lover of great literature.

I am reading this for a college class.

I do admit that Oates is an outstanding writer. Her works are filled with such profound insights and masterful storytelling.

However, I have to say that her stuff is extremely depressing and dark. It's as if she delves deep into the most shadowy corners of the human psyche and brings out all the pain, suffering, and despair.

This made it really difficult for me to finish the book. I found myself constantly weighed down by the heavy atmosphere and the bleakness of the themes.

But I guess it's all a matter of taste. Some people might thrive on this kind of dark and intense literature, while others, like me, struggle to get through it.

Nevertheless, I still respect Oates for her talent and the unique perspective she brings to her writing.

I've been a fan of Joyce Carol Oates ever since I first encountered her works in high school.

Her writing has a certain darkness and a touch of sinisterness, which makes reading an entire volume of her short stories together, almost like a novel, a bit overwhelming at times.

However, she is truly remarkable. Reading her stories is an experience that is almost equivalent to watching a live performance of them.

There is so much happening within the margins, as if you can vividly envision the expressions on the characters' faces.

The way she expertly employs silences and unspoken words adds an extra layer of depth and nuance to her narratives.

It's as if she is able to bring the characters and their worlds to life right before your eyes, making her stories a captivating and unforgettable read.

Overall, Joyce Carol Oates is a masterful storyteller, and her works continue to intrigue and engage readers with their unique blend of darkness, complexity, and beauty.

There are some Oates stories that are indeed good. However, for the most part, I'm just not a super fan. I understand why she has her followers. She is a prolific writer with a unique style. But in my opinion, the stories are not quite as deep as some would make them out to be. Some of her works seem to lack the profound exploration of human nature and the complex themes that I expect from great literature.

Perhaps it's because I have different tastes and preferences when it comes to reading. I'm more inclined towards stories that can make me think deeply and touch my emotions on a profound level. While Oates' stories may have their merits, they just don't quite hit the mark for me. That being said, I still respect her as a writer and appreciate the efforts she has put into her work. Maybe in the future, I'll give her another chance and discover something new and exciting in her stories.

It is an extremely rare occurrence for me not to finish a book. However, after reading over one-third of this collection, I was compelled to stop. JCO is an incredibly prolific and talented writer, boasting a beautiful writing style that I greatly admire. Although I am relatively new to reading her work, JCO appears to have a penchant for writing about seemingly unmotivated and disturbing acts of violence, sometimes even reveling in their grotesqueness. This was often the case with the stories I read in High Lonesome.

There were several stories in the collection that I enjoyed. For instance, there was a sci-fi/mystery about a high school boy and a series of fictional letters written between a college professor and the woman who believes she is her cousin (incidentally, the epilogue to her recently published Gravedigger's Daughter). However, my typical style of reading each story completely and in order proved to be my downfall. As I delved deeper into the collection, I felt increasingly overwhelmed and frustrated by the violence that pervaded the majority of the stories. Eventually, I had no choice but to put the book down.

I've been constantly striving to broaden my selection of authors, and thus, I made up my mind to give Oates a shot. The writing style isn't terrible, yet this could potentially be the third book in my life that I've decided to abandon.

I have no aversion to dark themes in literature. Nevertheless, in this anthology, the 200-odd pages filled with intrusive thoughts and sick characters seemed rather pointless. I found myself either extremely bored or thoroughly disgusted. I didn't gain any thought-provoking insights or memorable quotes that could better describe life in a way I had overlooked.

If you take pleasure in reading about bad situations and unfortunate events befalling people without any resolution, or perhaps your days are passing by with an excess of satisfaction and you're overly happy, then this might just be the book for you.

It's important to note that everyone has different tastes in literature, and while this book didn't resonate with me, it might very well be a gem for others. Maybe I just didn't quite understand the deeper meaning or the intended message that Oates was trying to convey. However, based on my current experience, I can't say that I would recommend this book to others.