Depravity. Adolescent Love. Naivety. Brutality. Foolishness.

These are the very first words that sprang to my mind upon completing this book. It has been a few weeks since I turned that final page, yet it still lingers within me. Reading the reviews of this work made me realize that people are deeply divided, and in a rather morbid sense, it makes me sort of happy. I firmly believe that this is a book that will strike a chord individually with each person who comes into contact with it. This is because it is based on the individuals' previous encounters with the weighty topics explored within this literary piece. Your background will dictate how you respond and assimilate it all. Some will adore it; since they can relate to Enid in a way that few others will understand. Some will loathe it precisely because they do relate and no longer wish to be reminded of what has transpired in their own lives. Others will devour it because they themselves have never experienced anything similar, while there are those who will discard it for the very same reason. What everyone must bear in mind, regardless of their intentions with this book or their subsequent reactions, is that this is real. Sadly, Enid is not fictitious for everyone.

Incestuous relationships. It is an arduous topic and always a perilous one to pen about. Not everyone will relish it or desire to associate with it, and that is entirely reasonable. Just like any other book that delves into and dissects difficult topics, people will be enraged. And while I fathom why, I do not accept it. This might not have been to your taste, you might be revolted by the content, but the reality is that this has occurred to thousands of children, is occurring, and will occur. For this sole reason, it is of the utmost importance to continue writing about it. We require uncomfortable elements in our daily lives so that we do not forget and so that we will not accept. Being uncomfortable serves as a reminder that you still possess your morals, so utilize them well.

The manner in which Oates captured their relationship, their emotions, their pain; it is both beautiful and dreadful. I truly do not even believe that you need to have been involved in an incestuous relationship to grasp the essence of this book. Everyone who has, at some point in their life, found themselves in an inappropriate and distressing situation with someone older who takes complete advantage of them will resonate with Enid. Every young girl who feels like a burden to her family and has a tumultuous relationship with herself will see herself in her. She is the epitome of youthful melancholy, and for that, I love her.

As always, with Oates' remarkable writing, you can sense her emotions and the story's settings seeping into the pores of your skin. You become the person she writes about, both the good and the evil. She crafts characters that are so exquisitely developed that they could serve as a blueprint for the people around you. The family dynamic is a façade of solemnity, much like most families beneath the surface, while still being clever in its own way. The surrounding characters, such as her teacher or her piano instructor, have a huge positive impact on the storytelling. They are the details that make her whole persona so much more nuanced. Joyce Carol Oates truly did not miss the mark with this one; instead, she hit them all. Every single one.

I was assigned this book for a grad school class about sportswriting. To be honest, the boxing scenes - although there were actually only a few - were truly exciting. They had a certain energy that really captured my attention.

However, I'm not entirely sure why we weren't assigned "On Boxing" instead. If the professor wanted a JCO book that contained boxing, it seems like that would have been a more appropriate choice.

Personally, I didn't particularly like this book. In fact, I don't know if I would have finished it if it weren't a requirement for the class. There was just too much predatory incest, and the story was set in a grey town with grey people. It all felt a little disturbing and a lot depressing.

By the end of the book, I found myself with the same question as Enid, "Why didn't Felix die?" It was a thought that kept lingering in my mind, adding to the overall sense of unease and dissatisfaction I had with the book.

Enid is indeed a captivating protagonist, although perhaps a bit too recognizable. She is that precocious, sweet, and death-obsessed young girl who holds a certain allure.

However, her inner life begins to lose its luster once Oates allows Felix's influence to take full hold. I suspect this is an attempt to comment on the "hysterical" intersection of sex and violence, which might not have seemed as weak thirty years ago as it does today.

The book quickly loses its momentum after they "fall in love." Plot points are introduced only to be abandoned in a few pages, such as ineffective politics, futile affairs, and mediocre business ventures.

Overall, considering all the carefully chronicled psychic turmoil that Enid endures, she receives a rather meager payoff.

Updating Goodreads Read 2015

In 2015, I was on a mission to update my Goodreads reading list. It was a year filled with literary adventures. I discovered new authors and delved into different genres.

Some books took me to far-off lands, while others made me reflect on my own life. I loved the feeling of getting lost in a good story and sharing my thoughts and reviews on Goodreads.

It was also a great way to connect with other book lovers and get recommendations. Through Goodreads, I found hidden gems that I might never have come across otherwise.

Updating my reading list became a regular ritual, a way to keep track of my literary journey. And as the year came to an end, I looked back at all the books I had read and felt a sense of accomplishment.

2015 was truly a memorable year for reading, and I can't wait to see what 2016 has in store.

Another masterpiece by Joyce Carol Oates. I happened to come across this precious gem in a free library, and I chose it simply because of the author.

JCO did not disappoint me at all. She is indeed an amazing writer. Her prose is like a flowing river of words, smooth and captivating. And her characters are beautifully drawn, with all their intricacies, complexities, and contradictions.

Anyone who has a sense of nostalgia for the so-called Good Ol’ Days should definitely read this book. Back then, people were either lost, terrorized, or numb due to the looming threat of a nuclear war. Women had very few choices in life, and their lives were often dictated by the men around them, whether it was in terms of sexual matters or being pigeonholed into certain roles.

Perhaps only white males or women who have a longing to be subjected to authoritarians might have a certain yearning for this era. It is not an easy read, as there are some rather disturbing and violent scenes in it, such as incest and boxing. However, if you truly want to get a sense of what life was like in the 1950s in the northeast of America, then this book is definitely worth reading.

This is truly one of the finest books that I have had the pleasure of reading in my recent memory.

JCO's prose is incredibly accessible, making her writing easily digestible not only for younger readers but also for the oldies but goodies.

The remarkable aspect of this is that her writing's simplicity is beautifully layered. When it functions effectively, it weaves a diaphanous veil composed of beautiful words, captivating characters, and a thrilling plot line.

This particular story adheres to a theme that could be regarded as a favorite of JCO's - that of a complex family in the 1950s.

It features a man who is in love with his underage - extremely underage - niece, set against the backdrop of an America that is changing with each passing day.

Each layer of words and images conjures up a dreamy, hazy tale that is recalled much like a memory of a fever dream.

I simply could not put this book down. I absolutely loved it.

This mid-length novel provides a detailed account of the lives of Enid, Felix, and Lyle Stevick. It skillfully weaves their stories together in violent, explicit, and tragic manners, presenting a vivid tapestry of life during America's "golden years." Despite being published in 1987, "You Must Remember This" uncovers taboo topics from the fifties.

This novel is likely to attract readers both now and in the future as the "forbidden" themes of childhood sexuality, lust, governmental distrust, death, mortality, self-control, and rebellion continue to hold significance.

Oates' portrayal of a grey, run-down fictional town in upstate New York is remarkably accurate and closely resembles real-life upstate New York (sorry, Buffalo area). Through her outstanding writing, Oates makes this novel a worthwhile read, even with its somewhat unclear resolution. Perhaps this was her intention, to startle, shock, and jolt the reader into a new perspective on adolescent sexuality and our own mortality.

So, grab a large glass of cabernet, your cozy snuggie, and slightly overweight cat, and get ready to immerse yourself in a gripping and powerful novel that will consume your weekend.

Final book rating: 82/100.

This novel's major plotline is perhaps the most taboo story I have ever come across.

Joyce Carol Oates' writing style regarding the characters is truly remarkable. She presents and describes their feelings in a way that doesn't completely pass judgment on them. Unlike some authors where it's blatant who they favor and who they don't, Oates takes a more nuanced approach. This made me extremely uncomfortable and yet deeply embroiled in the characters' decisions.

I simply can't stop thinking about this novel, its characters, and the era in which it is set, which is the 1950s. The descriptions are so vivid and amazing that I could almost envision the entire story playing out in my mind as I was reading it.

Even after finishing the book, I'm still left wondering how Enid Maria's life continued. What happened to her in the years following the end of the story? And what about the rest of the Stevick family? How did their lives unfold? This novel has truly left a lasting impression on me.

Embarrassingly 70s? I could not relate at all.

None of the characters in this story were likable. In fact, the really bad ones didn't seem to suffer nearly enough for their actions.

I absolutely detested the way the author used certain words. For example, the repeated use of "heat" in phrases like "Body still heated from sexing. Heated blood. Her hot face." It just felt overdone and a bit cringe-worthy. UGH double UGH.

The same goes for the use of "wetness" and "moisture". The author seemed to have a strange understanding of these words. Just because something is wet doesn't mean it's blurry, and a wet smile is not the same as a weak or 'watery' smile. A wet smile simply means there's spit on it. That's all.

Also, the sex scenes in this story were offensively improbable. I can understand a certain amount of ignorance and naivete leading to misunderstandings, but some of the things described were just beyond belief. For instance, I don't think vaginas get significantly bigger after the age of 14. And I highly doubt that plain old sex would result in ruptures or hemorrhages, even if it's the most morally wrong kind.

Finally, the biggest spoiler of all: "Shut your fucking face, uncle fucker!" This kind of language just seemed out of place and unnecessary in the context of the story.

This book is truly filled with unlikable characters engaging in unlikable deeds.

Particularly abhorrent is Uncle Felix. It's not merely due to his taboo relationship with his niece. Rather, it's because whenever the book's point of view switches to him, it's nothing but a jumble of run-on sentences and paragraphs that solely emphasize how dreadfully awful he is in every facet of his life and thought.

Unlikable characters are not novel in fiction. The key is to make the reader love to loathe them so that at least the reading experience is enjoyable. However, Oates failed to achieve this here. Felix was simply terrible, and I, personally, could discover no redeeming qualities that would make his character forgivable or worthwhile.

The only positive aspects I can mention are that the writing was good once one got accustomed to the stream-of-consciousness style, and I actually really liked Lyle Stevick's character. I found his struggle with the American politics of the 50's interesting, and it would have made for a great focus of a novella if Oates hadn't been so intent on padding the pages to a novel with the more shock-value "passionate love" of Felix and Enid.

I've heard numerous people claim that Oates is one of their favorite authors. This being the first of hers that I've read, I'm not passing judgment on all of her work here. I just emerged from this one with the feeling that it had no purpose and was a chore to get through. Hopefully, the next Oates novel I pick up will be an improvement.

I don't know precisely why I completed this book. To be honest, I'm not one to shy away from giving up on a book. After all, there are an abundance of excellent books just waiting to be devoured. So, why on earth would I waste my precious time on a mediocre one?

I chose to read this particular book as a contrast to my "popcorn" reading. It was supposed to be a more profound and serious subject matter, penned by a well-respected writer. However, I found myself unable to connect with any of the characters. I kept eagerly anticipating the moment when I would finally understand why Joyce Carol Oates is held in such high regard by critics. But alas, that moment never arrived.

I'm left feeling extremely disappointed. It seems that this book just wasn't for me, and I can't help but wonder if I'm missing something. Maybe I need to give it another chance, or perhaps it's time to move on and explore other literary treasures. Only time will tell.

This took me forever to read.

This has been happening a lot lately. I don't know if it's the books I'm choosing or just me. Maybe because it is BLEAK. It's like a desolate and gray landscape in the literary world, where nothing seems truly alive.

Every character is hard to like as they all appear to be completely miserable. Lyle is dead inside and scared of nuclear war. Hannah is also dead inside and hates everything. Lizzie wants to be in show business, but with only marginal talent, it doesn't mean much when facing those who could easily outshine her. Geraldine is boring and has bad hair. Warren wants to change the world through activism, although it's a slow process.

And then there's Enid and Felix. Felix is 31 years old and Enid is only 15, and they're having a relationship. Yuck! Enid is desperately and hopelessly in love with this guy, even though there's no way they could ever be together properly as the whole relationship is seriously messed up. If anyone knew, there would be huge trouble. Felix is such a creep, justifying it by saying "they both need it". But no 15-year-old girl needs what he's doing. I felt sorry for Enid, yet at the same time, I wanted to hit her and rip Felix's testicles off. They're all a complete mess.