Hm. This is a rather strange book. It's a big family saga, but in a concise way as if it won't run out of anything. At the same time, Oates writes an incredibly large number of things almost imperceptibly and precisely in this lies her greatness. Beyond personal fates, sins, and desires, it is full of the social problems of the 1950s, the effects of the war, the rebirth of post-war life, and the atomic threat. Moreover, boxing also has a prominent role, which I basically hate, but Oates described it so delightfully - there were times when we read about a single fight over several pages - that I just gasped. I love the woman's intelligent "chatter", I almost heard it in my ear as she tells the story, which is nothing extra or roundabout, not boring for a moment. An amazing writer.

I didn't manage to complete reading this exceptionally well-written novel that focuses on a family during the 1950s.

It had a rather dark strand - a so-called "taboo topic" that ultimately revolted and deeply disturbed me.

I usually have an interest in real-life "taboo topic" don't-ever-want-to-talk-about fiction. However, this particular one, with its convincingly crafted characters, made me feel as if I was connecting with someone I would rather avoid being around.

The writing is truly great, but it's just not for me.

I might come back to it when I feel more resilient about reading the violence depicted against the innocent. Maybe.

Overall, it's a complex and thought-provoking piece of literature that, while not to my personal taste, still has the power to engage and challenge readers.

It makes me wonder if I'm ready to face such difficult and uncomfortable themes, or if I need more time to build up my emotional strength.

Only time will tell if I'll give this novel another chance.

It's not a tender division. How could he (the uncle) get away with this?

I'm moving this book to "won't read." After I finally picked it up after 10 years!

I found it in my spare room one summer many years ago. I wanted to remember finding it. I think this was the first book I ever added to a Goodreads "Want to Read" list.

But now, circumstances have changed. Maybe it's because my interests have shifted, or perhaps the story just didn't capture my attention as I had hoped.

It's the first book I'm adding to "Not going to Read." I feel a bit of disappointment, but also a sense of acceptance.

There are so many other books out there waiting to be discovered and enjoyed. Maybe this one just wasn't meant for me at this time.

I'll move on and look forward to the next literary adventure that comes my way.

It was extremely challenging for me to take pleasure in this book.

I persisted in plodding through it, constantly entertaining the thought that at some juncture, it would manage to capture my interest. However, that moment simply never arrived.

Perhaps the reason lay in the fact that the novel was set in the early 1950s, and as a result, it wasn't entirely relatable to my own experiences.

Alternatively, it could have been due to the fact that it was replete with seemingly unhappy individuals, and it appeared that nothing positive occurred to any of them.

In any event, I am very glad to be progressing to another book. Something non-fiction would be ideal to clear my mind and offer a different perspective.

This way, I hope to embark on a new literary journey that will prove to be more engaging and fulfilling.

I need one of two things to pull me into a book: a compelling plot; or interesting, compelling characters. I have read really great books that only had one of those, but there has to be at least one - plot or character.

For the first 100 or so pages, this book had neither to me. I almost gave up on it, which I very rarely do. But I persevered. And when the book finally got into Warren, the oldest brother of this messed up 1950's family, I finally had a character I was interested in and cared about. Shortly after that, some plot things started happening. Phew. I did care enough about the book to finish it.

But I didn't actually like it all that much. It had its moments, including some beautiful writing. But too much of the writing consisted of long, pointless stream of consciousness meanderings. They did not move the plot forward. And although they did reveal character, they did not do so in a way which made me care. The downward spiral of these characters' messed up relationships all took fairly predictable turns - it was depressing as hell. There was a little bit of hope and redemption at the end, but not enough to have made all those digressions worthwhile to me.

Here's my fundamental problem with this book: have you ever the "rule" about plot - if there's a gun shown in Act I, it better be used by Act II? Well, there were guns shown, and never used. And I knew as soon as they were shown that they'd never be used.

Not in a big hurry to read any more JCO. Not writing her off altogether, but certainly not high on the "must read more" list. I found the overall experience to be rather lackluster, despite the glimmers of potential. The story seemed to meander without a clear direction for much of the time, and the characters, while perhaps complex in their own ways, failed to truly engage me on a deeper level. It's a shame, really, because there were elements that could have been developed more effectively to create a more satisfying and memorable read.

Reading this in public while shaking my head is a powerful way to convey my strong stance against incest and pedophilia. These are abhorrent and immoral behaviors that can cause great harm and trauma to individuals and families. By openly expressing my disgust and disapproval, I hope to raise awareness and encourage others to speak out as well. Incestuous relationships violate the boundaries of family and can lead to genetic disorders and psychological issues. Pedophilia, on the other hand, preys on the innocence of children and can have a lasting impact on their lives. We must all work together to protect the vulnerable and ensure that these types of behaviors are not tolerated in our society.

Another book that I read for my book club was truly a disappointment.

Let me tell you, if it weren't for the obligation to read it for the club, I would have never picked it up in the first place.

This book was so extremely depressing that it made me seriously consider giving up all hope.

Moreover, I was reading it during a difficult time in my life when I already didn't have much hope to begin with.

As a result, it was anything but inspiring.

I have read other works by Oates that I have really enjoyed, but this particular one is just too hopeless.

I cannot recommend it to anyone.

It left me with a heavy heart and a sense of despair.

I think there are many other books out there that can offer more positive and uplifting messages.

This one, unfortunately, is not one of them.

I did not have a liking for the book. It was evident that it was not a happy tale, and that was acceptable to me. However, the detail that JCO employed when描绘 sexual abuse/encounters made my skin crawl. The non-consensual scenes were not presented in a proper manner.

The family in the book is captivating; the unhappy marriage between parents Lyle and Hannah, the politically ambitious son Warren, the smug Lizzie, and the youngest daughter Enid Maria. Enid has a sexual relationship with her uncle Felix, her father's half-brother. The way JCO has written the scenes between Enid and Felix is truly disturbing, and I personally felt that she wasn't censuring Felix enough. He is more than half his niece's age and clearly relishes the situation.

If JCO had instead concentrated on the lives and paths of the family members, I would have derived great enjoyment from this book.

This is the first occasion that I am reading a book by her, and I appreciate her writing style. It is distinct, descriptive without overwhelming the reader, and effectively conveys emotions and speeches.

At this point, I think it's safe to say that Joyce Carol Oates has become my new favorite author. She is closely - and I mean very closely! - followed by John Irving.

"You Must Remember This" is a quintessential work of Oates. It is bleak, experimental, and scandalous. She has no fear of writing about uncomfortable sexuality, which made me cringe more than once while reading. And she also doesn't shy away from depicting careless brutality. Often, the two elements mix together.

Although I quite enjoyed this book, some parts - especially those focused on Felix - dragged a little. Felix is a professional boxer, and the sport has never held any appeal for me. Joyce Carol Oates did her best to make it interesting, but for this reader, it just didn't work. The stream-of-consciousness style, which was impactful and artistically exquisite throughout the rest of the narrative, made some of Felix's perspectives seem a bit flat.

Nevertheless, while this may not be a good starting point for those who are new to this writer's work, it is still a worthwhile and memorable read.

The book I was reading didn't hold my interest at all.

It was so dull and unengaging that I couldn't help but find myself cheating on it with other books.

It was a rather shocking realization, as I usually have a strong commitment to finishing the books I start.

But this one just couldn't seem to capture my attention.

I would pick it up with the intention of reading, but after a few pages, my mind would start to wander.

I would think about other books I had read or wanted to read, and before I knew it, I would be reaching for a different book altogether.

It was a bit of a gasp moment when I realized what I was doing.

I felt a bit guilty for not giving the book a fair chance, but at the same time, I knew that life is too short to waste on books that don't bring joy or excitement.

So, I decided to move on and find a book that would truly hold my interest and keep me engaged from start to finish.

“It pleased and excited her to see the space she’d occupied taken, the emptiness where she had been so readily filled in.” (p. 120.) This line from Joyce Carol Oates' work immediately grabs the reader's attention, making one wonder about the complex emotions at play.

I was introduced to Oates' writing a little more than 45 years ago in college, through an anthology edited by Jack Hicks, Cutting Edges: Young American Fiction For the ‘70s. Over the years, I've come to trust her as a writer. So, when she makes what might seem like questionable narrative choices to me, I'm not deterred as a reader. Interestingly, I'm currently reading another narrative set in the same time period, and I find myself questioning similar choices, which strike me as naïve and ill-informed.

I adored all the deep POVs in Oates' epic. Even the seemingly unnecessary diversions in the Jo-Jo Pearl and Miriam Brancher loops added to the richness of the story. I might have found them distracting in a less accomplished writer. However, there were two things that I questioned. Firstly, why does the Enid POV refer to her parents as Mr. and Mrs. Stevick? It seems strange, but I assume it's to show Enid's isolation, as a careful writer like Oates doesn't do anything by accident. Secondly, why are we told that Jo-Jo is white (p. 363) when he appears to be so well-crafted as an African American character?

One of my all-time favorite books, by any author, is truly a remarkable piece of literature.

It has the power to transport me to different worlds and introduce me to a plethora of fascinating characters.

The story unfolds in a way that keeps me on the edge of my seat, eagerly turning the pages to discover what lies ahead.

The author's writing style is engaging and captivating, making it impossible for me to put the book down.

Each chapter is filled with vivid descriptions and detailed情节 that bring the story to life.

I have read this book multiple times, and each time I discover something new and exciting.

It has become a constant source of inspiration and entertainment for me, and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a great read.