I read this book right after my mom passed away. It was an extremely difficult time for me, and reading about someone else experiencing a similar loss so soon after my own was a challenge. However, it also managed to put things into perspective for me.

As I was reading, I realized that my mom could have died in a way as tragic as the mother in this book. In that moment, I felt a sense of gratitude that such a thing never happened. It made me appreciate the time I had with her and the way she left this world.

Also, this book reminds me of a joke my uncle made when he saw it. He looked at the title and said, "Sarah, your mom is not missing. We know where she is." At that time, it was the first time I laughed since my mom died. That simple joke brought a moment of lightness and relief in the midst of my grief. It showed me that even in the darkest of times, there can still be a glimmer of hope and a reason to smile.

Overall, reading this book was a complex and emotional experience for me, but it also taught me some valuable lessons about life, loss, and the importance of finding joy in the little things.

One of my absolute favorite novels by Joyce Carol Oates is truly remarkable.

This is saying a great deal indeed, considering that I have an unwavering love for all of her books.

The particular novel in question has a quality that is haunting.

It has the power to linger in one's mind long after the last page has been turned.

The story weaves a web of emotions and ideas that are both captivating and deeply disturbing.

Oates' masterful writing style brings the characters and the plot to life in the most vivid way.

Each word seems to be carefully chosen to create a sense of mystery and suspense.

The novel explores themes that are universal and yet unique to Oates' vision.

It makes the reader question their own beliefs and values, and forces them to confront the darker side of human nature.

Overall, it is a work of art that I will continue to cherish and recommend to others.

This is the first book I have read by this author. Although the plot seems engaging, I found it rather uninteresting and extremely boring.

The plot is quite simple. The whole family gathers at Gwen's house to celebrate Mother's Day, including her two daughters: Clare, who is married with children, is the conscientious and down-to-earth one, while Nikki is the wild child, always fashionably dressed and considered by many to be the black sheep of the family.

Suddenly, the mother is killed, apparently without reason, by a homeless man she was helping. This event brings shock and worry to the two daughters, who try to survive in their own ways.

Strangely, it is Nikki, the daughter with whom Gwen had the stormiest relationship, who is deeply affected and leads the reader through a whirlwind of thoughts and reflections, often internal, that show Gwen's life from various aspects.

The narration of the events is particularly dull and slow, not so much because of the things being told, but because of the overly cadenced rhyme in which they are told.

Equally monotonous is the relationship between Nikki and the detective in charge of the investigation, with whom she will end up getting together, abandoning her long-term relationship with a married man who had been engaged to her for some time.

On the other hand, the character of Clare is a real caricature, a stereotype. She abandons her job and the dream of getting a master's degree in literature to become the American wife and mother, losing a good part of herself in the process.

Equally stereotypical is the character of the aunt, who seemed to me to be created only to fill a void, given the little usefulness she brings to the plot.

What does it teach? Despite the monotony, the novel teaches change, personal growth, and how to achieve them.

Nikki, who has always been seen as the unique daughter of Gwen, redeems herself with her own strength and energy and returns to live in her mother's house, which she couldn't even enter after her death.

She faces the heavy burden of family memories, including the "mysterious" ones regarding her father, abandoning the old habits and negative relationships that had weighed her down until then.

Finally, she manages to really find her own dimension, even at an emotional level, and her place in the world.

On the other hand, Claire, after an initial desire to change her life completely, abandons her family to pursue her youthful dreams but gives in to the harsh reality of life and returns, with her tail between her legs, to her husband and children.

Recently, I made a visit to my local library, firmly secured in my KN95 mask. I considered myself quite fortunate as I almost had the entire place to myself.

My decision was to peruse the Joyce Carol Oates shelves. It has been a continuous project of mine to read all of JCO's works. At this specific time, I picked "MISSING MOM", which had appeared on the shelf back in 2005.

Previously, for several days, my thoughts had been consumed by my own mother, who had been deceased for a number of years. I was truly missing her. So, it was no wonder that my eyes instantly darted to the title on the book spine.

It's funny how grief operates. When one least anticipates it... it pays a visit.

This is the story of Nikki from Mt. Ephraim, New York, and her unexpected encounter with grief. She's thirty-one, single, really "cool", financially independent, sexy, and extremely "hip". She works as a journalist, a feature writer for a community newspaper. And she never really views herself as a daughter, which makes this story even more poignant.

On the day after a lively Mother's Day dinner at the family home, oddly enough, prepared by Gwen, Nikki's Mom, and served to a boisterous, eclectic collection of guests... Gwen mysteriously goes missing. No one - family, friends, or neighbors - is able to reach her by phone throughout the day. No one sees her outside her house or at any of the locations she often frequents. After learning about this by phone from Nikki's sister Clare, Nikki drives to her mother's to see if something has occurred.

Yes, something did indeed happen. Gwen was murdered in her home. Who committed the act? When? Why Gwen? There is so much to discover and determine.

This shock leads Nikki down an intellectual and emotional path to uncover how this happened. A painstaking police investigation is led by a smart, sharp detective who is dedicated to leaving no stone unturned to deliver justice for Nikki and her family.

During the course of the investigation, Nikki uncovers information from the past about her mother and her family that she had no idea about. There are some surprises - both good and bad. Startling secrets. Stories never before heard. Letters hidden in the attic.

Nikki also progresses through stages of grief as she pieced together Gwen's life. She becomes the daughter she never thought she was, moving forward to a life she thought she might never have.

This is a heartfelt, moving story. I believe it offers comfort and a sense of reality about death to readers who are experiencing, or have experienced, deep grief for the loss of a mom. It truly touched my heart.

Eh. It's a good detective story I guess.

I had her for a class once and thought she was much more intelligent and acerbic when speaking. She referred once to loneliness in a way I really liked: "I don't anymore, but I can remember how it felt to be that lonely, to feel loneliness like a missing limb."

Actually, my favorite part of this book comes at the end. It's an interview she's granted as one of those book fillers they add so they can write: "P.S. Insights, Interviews & More Inside!" on the cover.

Q: "What's your guilty reading pleasure or favorite trashy read?"

A: "I never read, watch, or listen to anything remotely 'trashy,' for life is too short."

This response really stood out to me. It shows her strong stance and high standards. It makes me wonder if she truly never indulges in any form of entertainment that might be considered less than refined. Maybe she is so focused on her work and her own intellectual pursuits that she has no time or inclination for such things. Or perhaps she simply has a different definition of what is "trashy" and what is worth her time. In any case, it adds an interesting layer to her character and makes me respect her even more.

One of my personal favorite Joyce Carol Oates novels is truly a masterpiece.

The ultimate message it conveys, which unfortunately another review failed to grasp, is that the day is never saved in grief.

This novel stands out as one of her best works, with a construction that is both profound and heartbreaking.

Oates has a remarkable ability to explore the depths of human emotion and the complex nature of grief.

Through her vivid and detailed descriptions, she draws the reader into a world filled with pain and loss.

The characters in the novel are so well-developed that they feel like real people, and their struggles and sorrows are palpable.

The story unfolds in a way that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat, eager to discover what will happen next.

Overall, this novel is a must-read for anyone who appreciates great literature and wants to explore the darker side of the human experience.

At least, “Tried to read”

This statement implies a certain level of dissatisfaction. While there may be some sporadic flashes of ingenious literature within the text, for the most part, it adheres to the style often seen in bestsellers: overly written, shallow, and repetitive.

The review seems a bit unfair as it mentions having to give up the book halfway through in order to save precious reading time. However, it could also be argued that perhaps the reader didn't fully engage with the material or was expecting something different.

This experience might have been the first and last encounter with Joyce Carol Oates for this particular reader, but it doesn't necessarily mean that others won't find value and enjoyment in her work. Different readers have different tastes and preferences, and what one person may not like, another may find captivating.

In conclusion, while this review presents a negative view of the book, it's important to remember that literary opinions are subjective and that there may be many other aspects of Joyce Carol Oates' writing that are worthy of exploration.

I've read a couple of unfriendly reviews here.

It makes me wonder why people expect their protagonists to be flawless.

This book follows Nikki Eaton, a self-absorbed, single woman who is dating a married man. She is a wild child who goes through the discovery of her mother's murder and a year of grieving and self-discovery afterwards.

Sure, she's a flawed character, but I still found her sympathetic and compelling. I appreciate authors who can paint realistic portraits of people and still manage to evoke poignancy.

People are complicated. I liked Nikki's voice and could identify with her on some level, despite the tragedy that I hope I never have to experience.

I also believe that Nikki had to be the selfish, lonely, and flawed character she was in order to show the growth she makes over the course of one year.

The maturity that comes with learning about our mothers' pasts, missing them, and choosing to respect their lives by emulating the good qualities we might not have appreciated while they were alive is a powerful theme in this book.

Overall, I found this book to be a moving and thought-provoking read.

Gosh, I just could NOT get into this one!

I gave it a solid try, too. There was something really off about the main character's descriptions of herself. It felt forced, rather second rate.

It's such a bummer! You know, when you start reading a book or watching a movie, you expect to be fully immersed in the story and the characters. But in this case, it just didn't happen.

The way the main character described herself seemed so unnatural and unconvincing. It was like the author was trying too hard to make her seem a certain way, rather than letting her personality shine through organically.

Maybe if the descriptions had been more authentic and relatable, I would have been able to connect with the character and the story on a deeper level. But as it is, I'm left feeling disappointed.

Oh well, there's always the next book or movie to look forward to. Maybe that one will be a real winner!

Missing Mom is a work that, unfortunately, falls short in several aspects.

It lacks the profound depth that is characteristic of many of Oates' other novels. While it may contain certain elements that seem familiar to readers of Oates' works, it fails to fully explore and develop these elements in a way that would evoke the intense angst and emotional turmoil that her more successful novels often do.

The story may touch on some interesting themes, but it does not delve deeply enough into them to make a lasting impact. The characters, too, may lack the complexity and nuance that would make them truly engaging and memorable.

In comparison to Oates' other works, Missing Mom feels somewhat平淡 and unremarkable. It may have its moments, but overall, it does not live up to the high standards that Oates has set for herself as a writer.

This book held an incredibly personal significance for me.

As I sat on the beach, engrossed in its pages, I found myself sobbing on numerous occasions.

The story within its covers was truly wonderful, yet it also had a profound emotional impact.

It delved deep into the human experience, touching on themes of love, loss, and growth.

The characters were so vividly drawn that I felt as if I knew them personally.

Each turn of the page brought new revelations and emotions, leaving me completely invested in their journey.

By the time I reached the end, I was left with a sense of both satisfaction and a bittersweet longing.

This book will forever hold a special place in my heart, and I will undoubtedly return to its pages again and again.

The article is extremely well-written.

I have now developed a deep affection for this author.

Certain parts of the work are truly sad, tugging at the heartstrings, while other parts are so hilarious that they make one laugh out loud.

The author has an amazing ability to put different ideas together in a seamless and engaging manner.

I am now eager to explore another one of her works.

It's as if I have discovered a treasure trove of literary gems with this author, and I can't wait to see what else she has in store for me.

The way she crafts her stories and weaves in various emotions and concepts is truly remarkable.

Each word seems to be carefully chosen to create the perfect impact on the reader.

I'm sure that her other works will be just as captivating and enjoyable as this one.

I'm excited to embark on this new literary journey with her.