Joyce Carol Oates once firmly insisted, “Literature is not meant to be understood but to be experienced.”

From the very beginning, this book had a powerful hold on me. I had absolutely no idea where it was leading me or the reason behind it.

When I finally reached the end, I truly had the sense that I had experienced it in its fullest.

Throughout the entire reading process, I was deeply intrigued and fascinated by Joyce Carol Oates. I couldn't help but wonder how she managed to create these vivid characters and work out the intricate dynamics. It was simply brilliant.

And now, after closing the book this morning, I feel completely spent as I am completely obsessed with learning more about her.

How could a 31-year-old write something so complex, involving so many themes, and then go on to write many more equally complex books, still actively writing at the age of 86?

I remember feeling this exact same way when I finished "BLONDE".

I must read more of her works, but first, I need to rest. As Ernest Hemingway (one of JCO's favorites) wrote, “All good books have one thing in common — they are truer than if they had really happened and after you have read one then you will feel that all that happened, happened to you and then it belongs to you forever.”

This is most definitely a GOOD book!

This book was included on several lists and was highly recommended. In fact, it even won a National Book Award.

While I typically have a great affinity for Joyce Carol Oates' works, this particular book didn't quite resonate with me. I found myself frequently struggling to understand and relate to the dialog and thoughts of the characters.

Although there were occasional moments that were heartwarming, more often than not, the story was filled with sadness, difficulty, and confusion. It left me with a sense of unease and dissatisfaction.

Perhaps it was a matter of personal taste, or maybe I just didn't connect with the themes and style of this particular book. Nevertheless, it serves as a reminder that even highly acclaimed works may not always appeal to every reader.

I thought it only fair that since I have read a gazillion books in my life time, it would make sense to finally get around to reading Joyce Carol Oates, who has written a gazillion books. So I thought I would start with "Them", which won the National Book Award in the early 70s. (Not to be confused with the movie about giant killer ants of the same name.) Plus, I found this at a local used book store for a dollar and I just couldn't pass up that cover!

Well, let's just say that a) the National Book Awards must have had different standards in those days, or not much to choose from and b) the killer ants would have been more interesting and realistic.

The story centers around a poor family in Detroit who experience hardship and are victimized by the society they live in, the society they want to be in, each other and themselves. The span is about 20 years, beginning in the late 40s or early 50s and ending in the late 60s. I don't want to go into too much detail about the plot, but want to focus more on what Oates was trying to convey, because I'm not sure I know what it was. The characters, every single one of them, are repulsive, the men being downright creepy, especially the main male character Jules and how he treats women he is attracted to. Okay, so not all characters have to be sympathetic, but I never understood what motivated them to act the way they did. Oates seems to have contempt for everyone in the book, especially blacks and it was unclear if her bias was reflective of her characters' fear of them or her own. Characters appeared, playing major roles in the plot and then inexplicably disappear, as if she didn't need them anymore so she just dispatched with them.

Frankly, the only reason I finished this was to see if there was any redemption in the end.

However, I was left disappointed. The story seemed to meander aimlessly, with no real conclusion or resolution. The characters remained as unlikable as they were at the beginning, and I was left wondering what the point of it all was. Maybe I'm just not sophisticated enough to understand Oates' writing, but I found this book to be a real slog. I would not recommend it to anyone looking for an enjoyable read.

The original text seems rather short and lacks specific details. However, I'll do my best to expand and rewrite it while maintaining the overall tone.

The content is truly tedious to read. It feels as if one is slogging through a never-ending swamp of words that offer little excitement or engagement. Each sentence seems to drag on, making it a chore to get through even a few paragraphs.

Moreover, it has a depressing undertone. The overall atmosphere it creates is one of gloom and despondency. It's as if the author is trying to convey a sense of hopelessness and despair, which only serves to weigh down the reader's spirit.

Reading this piece is not a pleasant experience. It fails to capture the reader's attention and instead leaves them feeling drained and unfulfilled. It's a prime example of how poor writing can have a negative impact on the reader's mood and perception.

I hope this expansion meets your requirements. If you have any further suggestions or if there's more specific information you'd like me to include, please let me know.

This is the story of a truly dysfunctional family, filled with equally dysfunctional members.

They seem to be in a perpetual state of chaos and disharmony, yet paradoxically, they have to function in some way. After all, if they could function, isn't that what they were supposed to do?

I, however, had a rather different opinion of this novel compared to the literary critics. I found it to be overwritten, with a style that felt overly elaborate and perhaps a bit pretentious.

The characters, in my view, were nothing short of selfish and short-sighted. Their actions and decisions were driven by their own narrow interests, without any regard for the consequences on others or the long-term implications.

The atmosphere of the story was depressingly dark and gloomy, leaving me with a sense of heaviness and despondency.

Moreover, the underlying assumptions of the novel seemed to be negative, painting a rather bleak picture of human nature and relationships.

It was as if the author was determined to show the worst side of people and the world, without offering any glimmer of hope or redemption.

Overall, while the literary critics may have lauded this novel, it failed to resonate with me on a deeper level.

I first read this book in the 1970's and was immediately captivated by it.

The story, the characters, and the overall atmosphere of the book left a lasting impression on me.

This week, I decided to pick it up again and give it another read.

Despite the fact that the times have changed so much since I first read it, I was pleasantly surprised to find that the book is just as good as ever.

It is truly a classic that has stood the test of time.

The themes and messages in the book are still relevant today, and the writing is as engaging and beautiful as it was back then.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good story and wants to experience a piece of literary history.

As a stranger in the literary world, I discovered one crucial truth while reading them by Joyce Carol Oates. This woman is truly a remarkable writer. From the very first page, this novel, which was published when Oates was just 31, captivates you with its confident cadence, incisive dialogue, and effortless storytelling. It is a gritty and surreal account of a "white trash" family in Detroit, spanning the years from 1937 to 1967. Loretta Wendall, the coarse yet optimistic matriarch, and her children, Maureen and Jules, strive to carve out lives for themselves against all odds in a rapidly changing America.

Them is not for those seeking warm and sympathetic characters or a spiritual boost. It is, in fact, a rather ugly book, yet it is fascinating and compelling. You never truly care for Loretta, Maureen, or Jules, but you are definitely eager to see what befalls them.

And oh, the events that unfold! In the first 60 pages alone, Loretta loses her virginity, wakes up to find her boyfriend shot by her brother, and marries a policeman who helps cover up the crime. There are plane crashes, fires, prostitution, rapes, throat-slittings, mental breakdowns, shootings, and, in a bravura finale, the 1967 Detroit race riots. It is a catalogue of modern Gothic horrors that becomes increasingly strange as the story progresses.

Not everything in the book works perfectly. A sequence where Jules drives to Texas with Nadine, an upper-middle-class teenager from Grosse Pointe, gets bogged down in the psychological dynamics of their warped relationship. The portrayal of 1960s campus revolutionaries feels like a social parody that has long passed its prime. However, Oates delves into so many highly charged themes - the violence of American life, the powerlessness of women in society, the inevitable disillusionments of growing up - that the reader can never simply dismiss them as just a crazy soap opera. The book is disturbing, and it is unforgettable.

I truly adored this book.

There were two main reasons for my affection. Firstly, it was set in my beloved hometown of Detroit. The author vividly描绘了 the familiar streets, neighborhoods, and the unique atmosphere of the city. It was like taking a journey back home through the pages of the book.

Secondly, it was a novel based on a real person. This added an extra layer of authenticity and interest. I was able to learn about the real-life experiences and struggles of the individual upon whom the story was based.

The combination of these two elements made the book truly captivating and engaging. It not only entertained me but also made me feel a deeper connection to my hometown and the people who lived there.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in Detroit or in reading stories based on real life.

It was a great relief to finally reach the end of this fact-based novel that delved into the poverty and violence of Detroit.

"Them" follows two generations of a family who yearn for better things but seem unable to create a more peaceful, healthy, and affluent life.

Oates begins with Loretta, an optimistic teenager burdened with caring for her alcoholic father and older brother while working at a dry cleaners. She truly breaks your heart by making you feel the young character's longing for a better life and then showing how they are sucked into prostitution, pimping, drug use, and abusive relationships, with no mentors to guide them out of this cycle.

Surprisingly, one character is able to eventually "rise above," but it comes at a great cost as she has to completely detach from her family and deny her past.

What kept me engaged throughout this difficult story was Oates' elegant writing. She skillfully changes the point of view, deftly moves through time in a way that surprises the reader, and draws you into the dreamy state of her characters' consciousness.

I understand why she is such an admired writer, but I hope the next novel of hers that I choose isn't quite so depressing.

I found this book to be truly captivating. Joyce Carol Oates' writing style is simply remarkable. The book vividly describes the turmoil of that specific time period, and the characters are so believable that they seem to come alive on the pages. It's not a book that offers a warm and fuzzy feeling. Instead, it forces you to confront the uncomfortable reality of those times. After reading this book, I am absolutely determined to explore more of her works. I have been thoroughly impressed by the quality and depth of this particular book. It has opened my eyes to the power of her storytelling. I can't wait to see what other masterpieces she has in store for readers. I'm sure that each of her books will offer a unique and engaging experience, just like this one.

What can be said about JCO? She is indeed the most prolific great novelist of our times.

She has written perhaps over a hundred books, each one exemplifying her depth and wisdom as a writer. She has delved into modern icons and major headlines, such as the life of Marilyn Monroe and Ted Kennedy, as well as the race riots of the sixties. However, mainly she has explored the behind-the-scenes of people's private lives. Through literally hundreds of short stories and dozens of novels, she has illustrated the breadth and scope of her knowledge and her attention to the most important issues, both public and private, of our era.

This book stands out among the many that I have read. It is a personal mystery and also a public drama. The story is set around Detroit in the late sixties, where it so happened that Miss Oates was a teacher of literature at a night school.

I read her books, including this one, some time ago, so I can't recall the plot details precisely. But I remember being quite excited while reading it, due to the personal drama between a wife and the husband with whom she was unfaithful, and the portrayal of the mind of a crazy man with a gun.

In any case, she writes fluidly. One might think that, with her astounding number of publications, some under pseudonyms (she also writes mysteries and books for young adults and children!), her attention might wane and she might become sloppy.

No, never. Her attention is amazing. She has a greatly trained mind. It is a pleasure to engage with her works.

My first encounter with a Joyce Carol Oates book was truly a remarkable experience. It is a dazzling masterpiece that delves deep into the dysfunctional white-trash familial relationships prevalent in the early-to-mid 20th century.

The prose is sharp and clean, as if each word has been carefully chosen and polished to perfection. The characters are etched like paintings, vivid and lifelike, with their flaws and virtues laid bare for the reader to see. The progression of the plot is logical and engaging, drawing the reader in and keeping them hooked until the very end.

The ways in which people's lives can take such unfortunate dives, either without their control or due to their personal flaws, are explored in great depth. We see the once ambitious Loretta transform into a multi-married and harried welfare mother. The intelligent Jules becomes a seducer, kidnapper, and murderer, only to be shot in the chest twice by the love of his life. The kind and sweet Maureen turns to prostitution and descends into insanity for over a year, before stealing a man from his family in an attempt to break free from the cycle of abuse. And the wild and fearless Betty remains untamed.

This book is easy to read, yet it is also heartwrenching. It is the kind of book that everybody should check out, as it offers a powerful and poignant look at the human condition.