If it were possible, I would rate this at 3.75 stars. However, I didn't want to round up.

The characters and their interactions in this book are truly amazing. That's precisely what makes the book so captivating for me.

The historical knowledge that I gained from reading this was also much appreciated. Before delving into this novel, I had no inkling as to what life was like amidst the politics of the 1950s.

Nevertheless, the novel does lag at times and gets a little lost in the minutiae of details.

There's a significant amount of sexual content, which, surprisingly, is well-written.

Oh, and if you don't have an interest in boxing, there's quite a bit of skimming that you'll have to do. Reading those sections was an absolute chore, like pulling teeth.

Overall, despite its flaws, this book has its redeeming qualities and is worth a read for those interested in a story with engaging characters and a touch of historical context.

I generally have a great appreciation for Oates' inclination to write in what at times appears to be a train-of-thought style. She includes details that might seem irrelevant or unnecessary, going on and on. Just when my patience starts to wear a little thin, I notice that she has managed to create such a fully realized world. All those details have made the characters real and known to me, and then I understand. I can say that she did the same thing this time around. However, while none of the characters inspired a warm and fuzzy sense of respect (I don't necessarily need flawless or loveable protagonists), I didn't find anyone overly compelling, nor their setting or experiences (despite many events that should have been). Even what should have been a scandalous relationship failed to draw me in. Surprisingly, I found the boxing world of the 50s and her fight descriptions captivating. But throughout this entire book, I didn't have any emotional response, not even curiosity. I can't really put my finger on why that is, since I'm familiar with her style and I knew what I was getting into. Hmmm.

This is not Oates in her prime.

I had a really hard time getting through this one. It seems that the magic and brilliance that once defined her works are somewhat lacking here.

The story or piece, whatever it may be, just didn't have the same captivating charm. The flow felt a bit off, and the characters didn't seem to come alive as vividly as they usually do in her better works.

Maybe it's a phase, or perhaps she was experimenting with a new style that didn't quite click with me. But whatever the reason, this particular offering from Oates left me a bit disappointed.

I was hoping for more, expecting the kind of depth and complexity that she is known for. However, this time around, it just didn't deliver.

Despite this, I still have high hopes for her future works. After all, even the greatest of writers have their off days.

Well, the characters presented at the very beginning of the book do not seem to be the same individuals that the conclusion of the book is centered around.

I don't simply mean that they underwent growth and transformation in a natural and organic manner. No, they are truly DIFFERENT people. It is almost as if there were two distinct novels that became adhered to each other.

I wholeheartedly agree that JCO is an extremely wonderful writer. Her utilization of words and her sentence construction are truly lovely. However, it is quite evident that she surely would have reaped significant benefits from some relatively harsh editing in this particular instance!

Though it was a truth Warren had picked up somewhere that things once said within a family cannot be unsaid. And things done but never named might well be forgotten

"You Must Remember This" is built upon these "things." Oates employs non-linear plotting, flashing between various situations, feelings, injuries, insanities, and impurities. This creates an abstract-expressionist theme. Some characters are vividly portrayed with tight strokes of insight, while others remain vaguer blurs in the background. She often uses her formidable writer's intuition to craft elegant sentences that demand attention within the larger picture. These standout lines directly act as the aforementioned "things," hitting the reader with impact. Oates aims to bruise us, just as she does her characters, to convey her point. She succeeds in this with a keen empathy and understanding of the dark and melancholic aspects of life

However, the book does have flaws. The plot is underutilized in strengthening the theme. Some parts of the story seem superfluous, while many others are underdeveloped and abandoned. The choice to float mostly free from time's restraints emphasizes her individual vignettes but fails to create a more comprehensive and universal picture. We can see certain details clearly, yet sense that there are many scenes she has omitted. Whether this was intentional or an oversight, it feels like a mistake that she could have easily addressed with her skills

Additionally, the second half can seem rushed and lacking in inspiration. The passage of time is noticeably accelerated, and the earlier themes are often resolved unsatisfactorily. In conclusion, it is a pleasure to read, a well above average work. It offers a strikingly realistic and insightful view into certain aspects of life, but ultimately, it could have benefited from a more panoramic perspective.

The characters and a great deal of the language in this particular novel would most likely render it one of my more highly favored works by Oates.

There is an astonishing energy present in numerous of the lines. They seem to follow their own impetus rather than conform to anything else. It is a very free and vibrant kind of energy.

However, the overall structure was somewhat constricting. It gave the impression that those passionate sentences had been encased in concrete. Perhaps this was indeed a part of the intended point, but I didn't have as much of an affinity for that aspect.

Nevertheless, when considered as a whole, it remains a wonderful novel by Oates. The combination of the vivid characters and the lively language, despite the drawback of the rigid structure, still manages to create a captivating and engaging reading experience. It showcases Oates' unique talent and ability to craft a story that lingers in the reader's mind.

400 pages filled with gloomy people existing in a gloomy world.

It seemed astonishingly effortless for me to accurately predict what each character was about to do.

The story lacked the element of surprise and excitement that one would expect from a great work of literature.

Unfortunately, Ms Oates failed to hit the mark with this particular piece.

Perhaps she was aiming for a certain atmosphere or mood, but in the end, it felt rather flat and unengaging.

The characters appeared one-dimensional, and their actions and decisions were too predictable.

Overall, it was a disappointment, and I was left longing for a more captivating and thought-provoking read.

I'm really not sure why I even bothered to finish this book. It was an extremely dark and sad read, and it seemed to drag on forever. From the very beginning, it was filled with a sense of gloom and despair that made it difficult to get through. I found myself constantly waiting for some glimmer of redemption and a moment of joy to break through the darkness. However, as the pages turned, it felt like those moments were few and far between. The story just seemed to spiral deeper and deeper into a pit of sadness and hopelessness. By the time I reached the end, I was left with a feeling of emptiness and disappointment. I had hoped for so much more from this book, but unfortunately, it failed to deliver.

Although I wholeheartedly agree that Oates is an outstanding and remarkable contemporary author, I must admit that I only had a somewhat lukewarm response to the book.

Time and again, I find myself pondering the question: does a book necessarily have to be filled with such profound tragedy in order to be regarded as true literature?

Undoubtedly, life is a complex tapestry where tragedy and comedy intertwine, giving rise to the ebbs and flows that punctuate the otherwise ordinary periods.

However, if given a choice, I would much rather immerse myself in books that do not overly dwell on the negative aspects and contribute to the sense of despondency.

I believe that literature should have the power to uplift, inspire, and offer a glimmer of hope, rather than simply emphasizing the harsh realities and sorrows of life.

Perhaps there is a balance to be struck between presenting the full spectrum of human experience and yet leaving the reader with a sense of optimism and a belief in the possibility of a better tomorrow.

Who gives book awards? This story is truly boring. Let's take a closer look - we have some suicidal family members, which is a rather depressing aspect. Then there's an incestuous relationship between a niece and uncle, which is not only uncomfortable but also seems out of place. And that's about it. The characters are so boring that they fail to engage the reader, and the story lacks any real excitement or momentum. I simply couldn't continue reading this book. I bailed on it before reaching the end. I just couldn't take the boredom anymore. In fact, I can't believe I managed to hang in there for almost 300 pages. It's a real struggle to get through this uninteresting and tiresome narrative.

A friend of mine from Chile presented this to me. She said it was the only English language book she had read up to that point that she could truly understand. So, I began reading it and was instantly taken aback by the absence of commas. However, after the initial surprise, for me, a native English speaker, reading it was rather smooth as well - it didn't seem to require commas. Three years later, I discovered Gertrude Stein.

The story presented here is quite an interesting concoction. It contains elements that are rather novel-ish, yet not truly novel in the grand scheme of things. There's incest, which is a bold and controversial theme, and suicide, adding a layer of darkness and tragedy. The coming of age aspect gives it a sense of growth and transformation.

These typical ingredients are well put together, creating a narrative that keeps the reader engaged. However, it doesn't quite reach the level of a full five-star rating.

Perhaps it lacks that certain something that would make it truly outstanding. Nevertheless, it manages to hold its own and earns a respectable 3.5 stars.

Overall, it's a story that has its strengths and weaknesses, but it's definitely worth a read for those who enjoy exploring different themes and genres.