Whenever readers voice their complaints (based on what they've heard, or whatever) that the novels of Joyce Carol Oates are overly non-realistic or stylized, I promptly recommend THEM to them without hesitation. This early novel, which is starkly realistic and almost naturalistic (published in 1969), is set in working-class Detroit, spanning from the depression era to the race riots of 1967. I have read it twice already, and a third reading is即将到来. I am constantly impressed by the power of the narrative and the profound sympathy I feel for the book's heroine. Originally, the book's title was printed entirely in lowercase letters to convey the disdainful attitude that the middle class held towards "those people," the "them" who had to endure a continuous struggle.

THEM, by the way, is the third installment in Oates's so-called "Wonderland Quartet." The other books in this quartet are A GARDEN OF EARTHLY DELIGHTS, EXPENSIVE PEOPLE, and WONDERLAND. Each of these novels offers a unique perspective and exploration of different aspects of human nature and society, contributing to the rich tapestry of Oates's literary oeuvre.

Is everyone like this, constantly striving to obtain something for free?

Is the human nature inherently inclined towards seeking shortcuts and trying to extricate themselves from the efforts and dependencies on others?

We often observe people looking for ways to get things without付出 the necessary代价.

They may try to find freebies, take advantage of loopholes, or simply expect others to do the work for them.

This behavior not only reflects a lack of responsibility but also a distorted perception of what it means to achieve success.

In a society where hard work and dedication are supposed to be valued, the pursuit of freebies seems to undermine these principles.

It is important to question whether this trend is healthy and sustainable.

Perhaps we need to reevaluate our priorities and encourage a more ethical and responsible approach to life and work.

Only then can we build a more just and prosperous society for everyone.

A masterpiece indeed!

This work展现了更高的控制力，相较于Oates后来的一些作品。尽管这本书在不损害其内容的情况下本可以进行精简，尤其是在结尾部分。

我完全沉浸在Loretta及其家人的生活中，当他们在底特律经历了数十年的生活时，这座城市通过文字栩栩如生地呈现在眼前。

书中对人物的刻画细腻入微，让人仿佛能够亲眼目睹他们的喜怒哀乐。

故事情节跌宕起伏，充满了生活的酸甜苦辣。

每一个细节都处理得恰到好处，使读者能够深入地了解这个家庭以及他们所处的社会环境。

这本书不仅仅是一个关于家庭的故事，更是对一个时代和一座城市的生动描绘。

The first book of Joyce's that I read was Them, and oh, what a remarkable read it was! Her writing style is truly unique, and that's an understatement. I read this when I was around 16 or 17, and it left me with psychological nightmares. Then, I picked up Wonderland, and once again, I fell under her hypnosis. I put both books aside for a long time, afraid of them. Just the sight of them made me quiver. However, at about 25 years old, I yearned to recapture her dark prose and reread both.

I've since lost these two books, but I'm extremely eager to find them again and plunge into her psychological abyss. She is an excellent author. Her works have a profound impact on the reader, taking them on a journey through the darkest corners of the human psyche. The way she weaves her stories and creates such vivid and disturbing images is truly remarkable. I can't wait to experience her writing again and be drawn into her world once more.

The book seemed to have lost its direction and focus after Maureen's incident.

What was supposed to be a significant event that could have led to a thrilling climax instead felt more like a resolution.

It was as if the author had decided to wrap things up prematurely, leaving the readers with a sense of dissatisfaction.

The story had been building up nicely, with interesting characters and a captivating plot.

But then, suddenly, everything changed with Maureen's accident.

It was a crucial moment that could have taken the story in a completely different direction.

However, instead of exploring the potential consequences and implications, the author chose to simply resolve the situation.

This left the readers wondering what could have been and feeling a bit let down.

Perhaps the author had other plans for the book, but as it stands, the loss of direction and focus after Maureen's incident is a significant flaw.

This is likely the best book I have ever perused.

The book is of considerable length, consisting of 508 pages, and the story is rich and complex.

The lives of Loretta, Maureen, and Jules all experience unexpected, yet in some ways foreseeable, twists and turns throughout their arduous lives.

At times, it can be rather depressing, but there is always a glimmer of hope for redemption, although it remains unclear what, if any, form that redemption will take.

You will not be let down by "Them," and I am eagerly anticipating reading more of her works.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a deep and engaging story that explores the human condition.

It is a thought-provoking and powerful read that will stay with you long after you have turned the last page.

So, pick up a copy of "Them" and prepare to be captivated by the author's masterful storytelling.

You won't regret it!

A truly astonishing book, this one stands out for its remarkable lack of plot cohesion. One might expect a seamless narrative flow, but instead, it presents a rather disjointed structure. However, what makes it truly captivating are the sections that delve deep into the realms of life, love, and family.

These particular segments are nothing short of powerful. They offer profound insights and thought-provoking perspectives on the human experience. The author manages to touch on the universal themes that we all can relate to, despite the fragmented nature of the plot.

It's as if the book takes us on a journey that is not always linear but is rich in emotions and ideas. We are left with a sense of having explored the many facets of life, love, and family, and having gained a new understanding and appreciation for them. Despite its flaws in plot cohesion, this book has the ability to leave a lasting impression on its readers.

Quite possibly, one of Ms. Oates' bleakest and most harrowing meditations on the struggles of poor white people during the Great Depression, leading up to the Detroit Race Riots of the late 1960s. I firmly believe that in the context of her ever-expanding oeuvre, this is the greatest and most fully realized novel she has written for me. There are many more years ahead with more of Oates' works, as long as she is still alive.

At the core of this bleak book are three unforgettable characters from the Wendall family: Loretta, and her children Jules and Maureen.

The three live a hand-to-mouth existence, constantly finding themselves confronted with violence and weak-willed, physically abusive men. Their father, Howard, a wannabe gangster named Bernard, and stepfather Furlong all fit this description.

We initially focus on Loretta. The violent death of her lover Bernie, the possibility that Bernie is the father of her son Jules, and her almost chronic dependence on men, along with her push/pull love for her kids that will make you cringe.

She eventually marries Furlong, who nearly beats Maureen to death after discovering her foray into prostitution. This is also through the discovery of her third daughter, Betty, who disappears later in the novel.

Jules, her resourceful and dreamy son, has affairs with three very distinct women. First is Faye, the socialite gangster's moll. Then there is Bernard's niece, the willowy Nadine.

Traveling from Detroit to Beaumont, Texas, Nadine abandons Jules after a violent bout of the flu. Their relationship, co-dependent through incessant sex and romantic yearnings, comes to a violent end when Nadine attempts to murder him back in Detroit, and she is committed to a mental hospital.

Jules finally transforms into one of the men who abused him and becomes a pimp, abusing the innocent and childlike Vera.

Maureen, after almost dying from the bludgeoning by her stepfather Furlong, has an affair with a married professor and wishes to become a housewife.

She takes out her frustrations on life by first trying to become a prostitute and then later attending school, where she is emotionally abused by her cold and distant teacher, Joyce Carol Oates herself, in a postmodern twist.

Them is a lurid, violent, pulpy, reckless, and compulsively readable novel.

It is a true example of art and trash combined into one nasty book, with scenes of rape, violence against women, and racism that will repeatedly appear in much of Joyce Carol Oates' work.

Spoilers

Joyce Carol Oates' 'Them' is an extraordinary piece of work. It combines darkness and beauty in a way that is truly captivating. At times, it reminds one of Flannery O'Connor or McCullers' southern gothic style. 'Them', although classified as a work of 'realistic fiction', has an element of insanity to it, like a chatty Cathy waiting with you at a lonely bus stop at 2 am. Its imbalance is more evident in the lines of its face than in any suspect reasoning.

This story spans two generations in a white working class family. The characters in 'Them' carry all the acrid prejudice one might have towards a world that, while offering a standard of living never before known, is crumbling beneath their feet. As we journey through this 540-odd page book, we witness the younger generation's struggle to adapt to the ever-changing demands of their circumstances. In this case, adaptation means a complete reinvention.

Jules and Maureen are symbols of the male-female dichotomy in 40s - 60s America. Jules constantly dreams of the broad plains of his youth, full of possibilities. Detroit offers him no solace, so his response is to let 'fire do its duty' and start over. Maureen, on the other hand, takes a different approach. She wants to forget her past by silencing it. She enters into prostitution, selling her body for the security and peace she craves.
In the end, Jules finds salvation by leaving Detroit and reinventing himself in California under the guise of someone else's revolution. Maureen's salvation comes through marriage to a married man. Both persevere, but their success in escaping their past comes at a cost - a life that is somewhat not their own. I cannot do justice to this book's brilliance in a simple review. So, just read it! I highly recommend it.

One of those books that truly revolutionized the way I perceived the world, at least for a brief period, perhaps even longer.

I mean it literally - I regarded everything with different eyes, with distinct care and intention. After setting it aside, I had to pick up a friend at the bus depot.

We were using the bus as we were impoverished college students, yet our lives held great promise. I found myself acutely aware of everyone around me, pondering about them, and realizing how specific aspects of their appearances could be adjusted and would completely transform my perception of whether they were attractive, intelligent, or someone I desired to be with.

Class, indeed. We do not live in a classless society. It's something I knew intellectually, but I didn't truly feel it until I read this book.

Of course, I'm probably someone else's faded metal concert T-shirt wearing, bad haircut sporting, imperfect teeth chomping, poor unfortunate soul. It's rather strange.

Detroit, the renowned car-assembling city of the US, served as the backdrop for this novel, spanning from the 1930s until the 1960s.

Oates presents a vivid portrayal of the era through the eyes of three individuals: Loretta and her children, Jules and Maureen.

Primarily, it offers a social snapshot of the time, with the characters grappling with deprivation and the inherent tension between ideals and reality.

The narrative unfolds at a leisurely pace, accompanied by frequent shifts in perspective.

However, the method of storytelling struck me as rather dry, making it challenging for me to establish a connection with the main characters.

Consequently, this novel did not resonate with me and, in my opinion, cannot be considered a success.

Perhaps others may find value in its exploration of Detroit's history and the complex lives of its inhabitants, but for me, it failed to engage on a deeper level.

Nonetheless, it serves as a reminder of the importance of effective storytelling and character development in creating a truly impactful literary work.

This is the book that truly made me fall deeply in love with Joyce Carol Oates.

It meticulously follows the course of a family through the generations. This remarkable book was the one that jolted me into the realization that I was headed for a life eerily similar to that of my mother's (and my grandmother's), unless I began to pay close attention!

The cycle of a poorly lived life is detailed with such clarity. The characters are tragic, and it's easy to identify them just by looking around in any depressed area. In fact, they may even be within your own family.

If you're seeking a pick-me-up, you probably wouldn't reach for Joyce Carol Oates. However, if you're in search of outstanding writing and captivating, intriguing stories, then her works are a must-read.

Her ability to paint a vivid picture of the human condition and the complex web of family relationships is truly remarkable. It makes you think, reflect, and perhaps even strive to break free from the cycles that may be holding you back.

Joyce Carol Oates has a unique talent for bringing to life the often overlooked and hidden aspects of our lives, and this book is a shining example of that.