I'm a bit unsure about how I want to rate this book.

It's a family drama about the Stevick family, set in the 1950s USA.

I liked it at first, but after certain events in the book, I started to get a bit confused.

However, it could still be a good book to read.

Incest isn't really my thing, so to speak, and I'm not sure if I think it was resolved in a way that I'm comfortable with.

Maybe for some readers, this aspect of the story won't be a big deal, but for me, it did make me question my overall opinion of the book.

Despite that, there were other elements of the story that I found interesting, such as the family dynamics and the historical setting.

So, while I may not give this book a perfect rating, I would still recommend it to others who might be interested in a family drama with a bit of a twist.

**Title: 3.5 Stars - A Decent Rating**

In the world of reviews and ratings, 3.5 stars holds a certain significance. It is not a perfect score, but it also indicates that there is something worthwhile.

A 3.5-star rating might suggest that a product or service has some good qualities, yet there are also areas that could use improvement.

For example, a restaurant with a 3.5-star rating might have delicious food, but the service could be a bit slow or the ambiance not quite as inviting as one would like.

Similarly, a product with a 3.5-star rating might function well, but it could lack some features that would make it truly outstanding.

Overall, a 3.5-star rating is a middle ground, a balance between the positive and the negative. It gives consumers an idea of what to expect and allows them to make an informed decision.

Whether it's a movie, a book, or a hotel, a 3.5-star rating can be a useful guide in the vast sea of choices.

So, the next time you see a 3.5-star rating, don't dismiss it too quickly. Take a closer look and see if it might be just what you're looking for.

Any notion of the 1950s as a time of contented families or respectable morals is shattered with this profile of the Stevick family of upstate NY.

Oates fills this work with her favorite topics such as family strife and secrets, sexual awakening and violence, and the idea of redemption through violence.

She manages to entwine the sagas of that decade, like the Rosenberg executions, the fear of nuclear fallout, and McCarthyism, with the inner lives of the Stevick family members.

However, the story is a bit overlong, which is common in Oates' works, even though I am a big fan of hers.

In some sections, it can be tedious.

Nevertheless, it is still a worthy read as it offers a deep and complex exploration of a family and a decade that was far from idyllic.

It makes us question our assumptions about the 1950s and forces us to look beneath the surface of seemingly ordinary lives.

Overall, despite its flaws, this work is a testament to Oates' skill as a writer and her ability to bring to life the hidden dramas and tensions that exist within families and society.

It might be unfair, yet the treatment of taboo subjects makes it inevitable for me to read this and not draw a comparison to Lolita. Nabokov approaches it with the finesse of a magician; every gesture is purposeful, and he constantly diverts your attention. Every so often, he lifts the curtain just enough for you to realize that Humbert cannot be trusted, nor can you, as you find yourself being drawn in. And when you start to feel a bit judgmental, you are always cognizant that he may have written about this, but he's not forcing you to read it. It's truly masterful.

Oates, on the other hand, is more of a cruel prankster. She creates a character you like (or attempts to anyway) and then makes you peek through your interlaced fingers at the unfolding story. She is more inclined to twist your ear to direct your gaze in the right direction rather than engage in any elaborate wordplay.

Her "I have a thesaurus!" writing style also gets tiresome quickly. Instead of choosing the perfect word, she simply dumps a whole plethora of words on the table several times per page.

This is a lackluster book with uninteresting characters who engage in dull activities, and it gives the impression that it could have been executed much better in approximately a hundred fewer pages.

This was such an engrossing read for the first 350 pages. The story had me completely hooked, and I couldn't put the book down. However, from there, the last act kind of let me down, especially the last 30 pages. I wish it had not fallen into a few tropes toward the end, especially the pregnancy and abortion storyline. In my opinion, that whole arc and its aftermath were really not a satisfying conclusion to these characters’ relationship with one another after that was the crux of this novel. Closing out the book on that scene between Lyle and Hannah made the ending hit a lot less harder for me.

I do want to say that the writing and the storytelling are both phenomenal. JCO made me feel like I was truly in 1940s and 1950s upper-working-class America. The way she describes the family’s lives during the Red Scare was amazing and made me realize I have never come across any media depiction that dives into how ordinary Americans, not celebrities and politicians, experienced the everyday reality of that era. I thought she did a really good job of describing realistically how the political becomes the personal.

I was initially going to give this 3.5 stars rounded up to 4, but the ending left so much to be desired that I have to leave it at a 3 for now. All in all, not disappointing for my first foray into JCO’s works.

December 5, 2024

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Tentatively re-rating this to 4 stars because I still can’t stop thinking about it, which is a testament to the book’s power. But I still have all my above critiques.

December 8, 2024

———-

Re-assessing to 4.5 stars. Other things I loved about this book:

- How seamlessly and organically the politics of the time were interwoven into the characters’ everyday lives (where relevant/appropriate).

- The relationship between Enid and her brother, especially the scene when he tries to get her to open up about her suicide attempt in the hospital while he’s visiting her. I thought it was a beautiful way of showing the affection and love that siblings can feel for one another.

- The boxing, which I was surprised I enjoyed because I honestly am just disinterested in sports and cannot enjoy watching them even if you paid me to. But when Felix is reflecting on his relationship with the sport and he explains that the thing he loves about boxing is that the only times you’re hit are when you make a mistake, in other words, it’s fair. I thought it was such a great metaphor for JCO to employ to illustrate his mindset and approach to life, one that I literally never would have thought of since I have no exposure or experience with sports, but through her writing I found myself relating to it!

- How compassionately and honestly each character is treated by the author. Everybody’s thoughts and feelings are treated as genuine. Nobody is all bad, nobody is a sociopath. JCO really understands humans.

- The humor is actually funny. That’s always hard to achieve in a book. It isn’t laugh-out-loud, but like I said, the writing here is very natural and organic and grounded in reality. I can see many of my personal experiences reflected in the interactions between these characters.

- The “stream-of-consciousness” writing. So good. Not only does it work, it’s executed well.

I stand by all my initial critiques of the book and its ending but now that it’s been a little over a month, the story has had time to sit with me. It is one of the best books I’ve read in a long time and it reignited my love for reading and writing.

January 16, 2025

What exactly creates the female urge to write male characters that casually engage in the most extremely batshit sexual behaviors? It's a rather perplexing phenomenon. For example, why would a female writer pen a male character who is committing incest and pedophilia? This kind of writing choice is not only disturbing but also raises many questions. Is it an attempt to explore the darkest corners of the human psyche? Or perhaps it's a way to shock and titillate the readers. However, it's important to note that such extreme and immoral behaviors should not be glorified or normalized in any form of literature. Writers have a responsibility to handle these themes with care and respect, and to ensure that their work does not have a negative impact on society.

This was an extremely arduous book to endure.

Not only are there an excessive number of parallel stories and parallel characters, but there is scarcely any coherent storyline. It is a sort of verbose "Lolita," yet lacking Nabokov's masterful and beautiful writing.

The young girl in this instance is as infatuated with the older man as he is with her. And the older man happens to be her uncle.

Then, not only do you have vivid sexual encounters that are anything but lovely, but the girl has just emerged from a suicide attempt and remains perilously close to the brink of suicide throughout the book.

The fact that her parents are so oblivious is truly bewildering. And as the uncle increasingly behaves like a jerk, you can't help but wonder how naïve a girl can be.

I find it especially difficult to fathom that all of this is coming from a female author. The entire thing was repugnant, and I cannot recommend it for any reason.

4.5. I simply love Joyce Carol Oates' writing!

Her storytelling has such a captivating charm that I always find myself completely caught up in her books.

Although some parts can be a bit difficult to read, they are still incredibly engaging and hold my attention firmly.

This particular book is the fourth one of hers that I've read, and it's my favorite so far.

I'm really looking forward to reading "Blonde" next.

I have a feeling that it will be just as精彩 as her other works.

Joyce Carol Oates has a unique ability to create vivid characters and complex storylines that stay with you long after you've finished reading.

Her writing is truly a pleasure to experience, and I can't wait to see what else she has in store for us.

When asked what this book was about, I jokingly said, "It's like Raging Bull, but with incest."

I truly believe that this is a rather apt description of it. The story seems to share some of the intense and raw emotions that one might find in a film like Raging Bull. However, it takes an additional and rather disturbing turn with the element of incest thrown into the mix.

This unique combination of themes creates a narrative that is both captivating and deeply uncomfortable. It forces the reader to confront some very difficult and taboo topics, while also being drawn in by the drama and conflict that unfolds.

Whether or not this description will entice others to pick up the book remains to be seen. But for me, it accurately captures the essence of what makes this particular work so interesting and与众不同.

Overall, it's a book that is sure to spark discussion and debate, and one that I won't soon forget.

Spectacular and yet so thoroughly depressing.

I'm truly glad that I happened to come across this remarkable book. It is a work that simply must be read.

A lifetime should not pass by without one experiencing the power and significance within its pages.

And yet, it has the ability to bring back the worst aspects of the 1960s with such excruciating detail.

It is as if I have been thrust back in time, reliving those difficult moments.

I find myself feeling that I'll require a few days to recover from the emotional impact.

The themes of sexism and human foolishness are explored so deeply that they leave a lasting impression.

It serves as a reminder of the challenges and flaws that existed during that era and perhaps still linger today.

Despite the discomfort it may cause, this book is an important and necessary read.

The characters in this book were crafted with such generosity that, despite their sometimes grotesque actions, it was difficult to truly hate any of them.

There were certain parts that moved a bit slower, especially for those without a particular interest in some of the war details. This is the reason for awarding it a 4-star rating.

Nonetheless, it is one of my favorite Joyce Carol Oates books in a long time. Her writing has always had the power to draw readers in and make them feel deeply for the characters and their experiences.

The story unfolds in a way that keeps you engaged, even during the slower moments. The vivid descriptions and complex characterizations make it a truly memorable read.

I would highly recommend this book to fans of Joyce Carol Oates and anyone who enjoys a well-written, thought-provoking novel.

My first encounter with Joyce's book has been an absolute delight, and I'm eagerly looking forward to reading more of her works.

Her writing style is truly one-of-a-kind. It has this magical quality that makes the reader feel as if they are actually inhabiting the minds of each character, listening to their unfiltered thoughts. The absence of punctuation in places where it would "technically" be appropriate is a masterstroke. It gives the impression that the thoughts are gushing out of the mind, unfiltered and raw.

While some parts of the book had me slightly drifting, the majority of it held me completely captivated. The entire plot and the situations of all the characters were often quite messed up, but isn't that what real life is like? It's especially fascinating to read about these plots unfolding in this particular era. The Communist fear in the US added an interesting layer to the story.

The ending was ambiguous, which can sometimes be irritating, but in the context of this book, it seemed entirely fitting. It left me with a sense of wonder and a desire to explore the deeper meanings that might lie beneath the surface.