No, no and still no.

But is it really the same author of "My Sister, My Love" or "An American Family"?! It really seems not. The book is so... so artificial, so insincere and 'untrue' that it seems like a joke to me. It's not the Oates I learned to love despite the physical pain her stories caused me, nor the skilled weaver of intricate, convoluted and multifaceted stories: this book is fluff!

I swear, I'm very bitter because for me Oates is a goddess and I blindly bought so many of her books that are waiting for me, but here she really stabbed me in the back :(

Last year I started the book but after not even 40 pages I had to abandon it because the beginning that Oates chose (This is the story of how I lived through the death of my mother. One day, in a way all your own, it will also be your story) gave me so much anxiety and grief that I couldn't face the book calmly; yes I know, it's ridiculously childish, but it's something stronger than me ;_;

I decided to try again with the awareness that I would anyway have an easy way out if it became too oppressive.. The reality proved to be the opposite: there's nothing in this book and it didn't manage - for better or worse - to convey anything to me.

I expected that between Nikki, the narrator and rebellious daughter, and Gwen there would be many unresolved conflicts, so much pain and so much misunderstanding, all made even more dramatic by the sudden and especially unexpected death (the woman was brutally murdered by a drug addict): well, none of that, because Gwen was a kind of living Buddha, always good, always smiling, always ready to forgive and throw random hearts to humanity.

The "after" that Nikki tells us is a random collection of elements that don't really make sense, like the fact that friends, family, acquaintances and even mourners tend to avoid Nikki and her sister after the fact, even though they didn't kill her or it was something to be ashamed of; even Nikki's niece doesn't want to be in the company of her aunt because she decided to go back to her parents' house even after "the fact". But what's the problem? Well, who knows..

Gwen's death is a feeble expedient by Oates to talk about something else and build a mediocre and frankly avoidable story: there's no pathos, there's no... There's really nothing :(

The idea that Oates herself had chosen a delicate and painful theme like the death of a mother made me tremble at the mere thought of how cutting the story would be, of those that leave you with existential anxiety for life (after "My Sister, My Love" I was really bad for days, I swear!).. In short, - I thought - it's one thing if a story like this is told by some writer and another thing if it's Oates.. But no, because in my opinion Oates was at the beach during that period and let someone else write the story, otherwise I really can't explain it!

Another fact that certainly didn't brighten up the reading - but here I realize it's my own problem - is that the book has a strange/disgusting/suffocating smell. I bought it used at the bookstore for 5.90 euros (instead of its -GLOM- 19), brand new, but damn it has that strong smell of paper and old... MEH.

This book was a good quick read.

I've come to the realization that I tend not to like Joyce Carol Oates's characters until the end of her books.

Her characters often seem rather unlikable or difficult to understand in the beginning and throughout most of the story.

They have flaws and make choices that can be frustrating or off-putting.

However, as the story progresses and nears the conclusion, they tend to redeem themselves.

There is a moment or a series of events that cause them to grow, change, or show a side of themselves that makes the reader see them in a new light.

For most of the story, I have a hard time identifying with them, but by the end, I often find myself having a newfound appreciation for their journey and the lessons they have learned.

This unique aspect of Oates's writing keeps me coming back for more, as I am always curious to see how her characters will ultimately develop and whether they will be able to win me over in the end.

"La madre che mi manca" is the first work I have read by Oates, and I must say that this first encounter has been a success. Indeed, I really liked the book.

The protagonist and narrator of the novel, Nicole, also known as Nikki, is a thirty-year-old woman who finds herself living through a tragic experience: the violent death of her mother, Gwen. The sudden death of her mother triggers something in her, leading her to question her entire life, her relationships, and her memories. At the same time, she embarks on a journey into her mother's life and also within herself.

Joyce Carol Oates has the ability to skillfully construct a story, composing chapters of crazy simplicity yet absolutely attractive. In fact, the book is read with a unique fluidity, precisely because it is real life. The analysis of love and family relationships is very sharp, and everything is extremely real and vivid. For this reason, we can, or at least I was able to, completely empathize with the protagonist.

Extremely real, moving, and powerful are the pages dedicated to the importance of the Past and the Present and to the discovery of Gwen's life, through her personal objects, her boxes full of things stored in the attic and garage, evidence of a full and meaningful existence filled with love.

The author makes us enter a small area full of provincial towns in the state of New York, with normal people in whom it is easy to identify or find similarities with one of our relatives or acquaintances. Even the places are described with care and meticulousness, and we can see the beauty of the American countryside through the wise words of Oates, a writer whose other works I can't wait to explore further.

"I had a sudden impulse of happiness while driving through snow-covered fields on a sunny winter morning. Like the headlines of a movie. When the camera rises and frames the edge of the road from above. The suspense of not knowing where it is taking us. What story it will tell, who the protagonists will be. And what will happen."

J.C.Oates

Joyce Carol Oates has long been one of my favorite authors.

Her work "Missing, Mom" has only deepened my admiration for her.

This is an interesting story that delves into the psychological impact of losing one's mother.

It presents a truth that no matter how independent and grown up we may become, our mother always remains a powerful presence in our lives.

The story explores the complex emotions and memories that surface when we lose that special person who has been there since the beginning.

Oates' writing is so vivid and细腻 that it allows the reader to truly understand and feel the pain and longing of the protagonist.

"Missing, Mom" is not just a story; it's a reflection on the importance of our relationship with our mothers and how their absence can leave a void that is difficult to fill.

It makes us realize that no matter what, our mothers will always hold a special place in our hearts.

Okay, first of all, let me say I'm confused.

My copy of the book is called MOTHER, MISSING. It does not appear to be an ARC, so it's mystifying to me.

I bought my copy last month at a used book store in Canada. (I live in the US, but I try to spend a few months in Toronto in the summers.)

The novel reeled me in. I am quite the JCO fan, and kept reading this book, enjoying it but not caught up in it. I was thinking to myself that I'd likely rate it a 3 and a half stars if Goodreads had such an option.

However, the last 50 pages made me change my mind completely. The story took an unexpected turn that had me on the edge of my seat, unable to put the book down.

The characters became more vivid, the plot more engaging, and I found myself completely invested in the outcome.

So for me, it's a 5-star story, whatever-the-heck-the-book-is-really-called!

I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good mystery with a touch of psychological thriller. It's a page-turner that will keep you guessing until the very end.

This was truly a fascinating perspective.

The book was recommended to me, and I devoured it rapidly.

I felt that it truly drew you in and made you feel as if you were living the experience through the characters.

As a young individual who has lost a parent, I could relate to what the author was attempting to convey, yet also understood that the grieving process varies greatly from person to person.

This was evident in the book through the various individuals who recounted their own personal experiences with the departed.

It was my first Joyce Carol Oates book, and it was a bit too sentimental for my taste, but it did make me think.

I suppose the most enduring impression it left on me was that I desire to cherish those I love and take care of them while I have the opportunity, and to remember not to become lost in my own thoughts and life.

As the main character demonstrates, I believe that if you do this, you deprive the people who love you of the chance to care for you, be a part of your life, and ultimately, for you to care for them.

Missing Mom was an incredibly emotional book, and that's a great thing. The protagonist, Nikki, is a thirty-something, self-reliant woman who believes she has no real need for her mom. Her mom's efforts to stay in touch and maintain a connection are seen as nothing but a nuisance. However, when she loses her mother in a sudden and tragic manner, she comes to understand just how crucial her mother truly was. This book details the first year following her mother's passing and how she, along with her other family members, deals with the tragedy. It delves into some extremely emotional and challenging subjects, yet it does so in a way that doesn't make it overly difficult to read. The author manages to strike a perfect balance, allowing readers to experience the full range of emotions without being overwhelmed. It's a powerful and moving story that will resonate with anyone who has ever lost a loved one.

This book offers a detailed account of the life of a typical American family and the journey they undertake as they learn to come to terms with the loss of their beloved parents.

Although the theme may initially appear rather somber, the author has skillfully managed to present a realistic portrayal, interspersed with touches of humor, of the various emotions and actions that people commonly experience following the sudden passing of a parent.

It is evident that this book draws upon the author's own personal experience, having recently lost her mother. Through her words, she shares the raw and often complex feelings that accompany such a profound loss, allowing readers to gain a deeper understanding of the grieving process.

The book serves as a poignant reminder that even in the face of great sadness, there is hope and the possibility of finding a way to move forward.

I listened to the audio version of this book, and I'm certain that it had an impact on how I responded to it.

The reader was quite good, yet the book simply never managed to capture my attention. I find Joyce Carol Oates' work to be rather inconsistent.

I absolutely adore some of her pieces, but a significant portion of her work leaves me feeling completely indifferent.

This particular story revolves around a single, adult woman who pays a visit to her widowed mother only to discover her body, brutally murdered in the family home.

It's not so much a mystery as it is about her reactions to the death and her interactions with her sister, her only sibling, in the aftermath.

I simply couldn't identify with the main character, which is precisely why I failed to establish an emotional connection with the story.

I do possess a paper copy of the book, and upon looking at it, I have a hunch that I might have derived more enjoyment from it in its printed form.

On the other hand, it's a rather lengthy book, and I might have found the pacing to be slow.

What a conflicted review this is! You'll have to make up your own mind about this one.

I'm not entirely certain that Oates has a specific target audience, in contrast to some other authors. Her body of work is so diverse that attempting to assign a single label or genre to it is futile, as her next book could be completely different. However, with this particular one, I find myself feeling slightly outside the intended target audience. As of this moment, I am neither a mother nor a daughter.

There is the characteristic Oates violence present, and it is quite uncommon for one of her books not to feature a violent incident. But what this book predominantly focuses on is the captivating story of how a daughter ultimately comes to understand who her mother was and, to a certain extent, who she herself desires to be. It delves into the realm of chick-lit, yet not in an embarrassing manner.

At certain junctures, the writing did give the impression of being an exercise in simply getting words onto the page, with a bit of a fill-in-the-blanks feel, as if the words were there for the sake of having words or the descriptions went on for too long to showcase that Oates had conducted her research. And yet, there are also moments of inspired writing that truly take your breath away. My only minor complaint is that she has already utilized the trope of the single girl falling for the older cop in a previous book, and perhaps done it a little better.

Overall, while this book may not be a perfect masterpiece, it still contains many elements that make it an engaging read. Oates' ability to craft a story that keeps you hooked and her unique writing style, with its mix of both pedestrian and inspired moments, make this a book worth considering.

The only other book I've read by Joyce Carol Oates was the rather depressing tome We Were the Mulvaneys. I had this initial thought that this new book was going to follow in the same genre. However, as I delved deeper into the reading, I found that it did improve.

The story revolves around the unexpected violent death of middle-aged mom, Gwen Eaton, which occurs just two days after Mother's Day. It is seen through the eyes of her immature and selfish 31-year-old youngest daughter Nikki, who is an independent journalist freelancing with a local paper.

At times, I found Nikki's ruminations to be rather grating and boring. But as time passed, I realized that Nikki's character was actually growing and maturing.

The saddest lines in the book are those that go: "Last time you see someone and you don't know it will be the last time. And all that you know now, if only you'd known then. But you didn't know, and now it's too late. And you tell yourself How could I have known, I could not have known."

Nikki and her older sister, Claire, both struggle with the loss of their mom in their lives. Each of them deals with the grief in their own unique way. At some point, it seems like they both go off the deep end. After all, losing your mom in such a way would likely send anyone into a tailspin. Nikki is involved in a relationship with an older married man, Wally Szallas, which her mother strongly disapproved of. She moves into her mom's deserted house with her mom's cat and carefully goes through every item, reliving memories of her mom. She begins to walk in her mom's shoes and starts to see her mom as a person.

Nikki also discovers that the loss of her mother has an impact on all the people her mom interacted with on a weekly basis. However, Nikki resents sharing her grief with them. She spurns all solicitations for help or advice, whether it comes from her sister, her mom's best friend, relatives, the case detective, or other minor acquaintances. But gradually, she seems to learn a little from each person. Her blunt and embarrassing cousin Lucille, in her own straightforward way, seems to set her on the correct path.

Although I wasn't initially thrilled with the book, I have to admit that I was quite pleased with the ending and the growth of the characters. It shows that even in the face of great loss and turmoil, there is always the potential for growth and change.

This book took an incredibly long time to read - a full four months.

There were numerous occasions when I simply had to put it down. Why? Because it was just too real.

Considering that Oates wrote it in the year following her mother's death, the raw and intense reality it presents comes as no surprise.

Oates has a remarkable ability to powerfully capture the clash between the numbing haze of grief and the frantic, almost desperate need to recapture what was lost.

It's as if she has laid bare the most complex and painful emotions that one experiences during such a difficult time.

The story unfolds in a way that makes the reader feel as if they are right there, in the midst of Oates' turmoil.

It's a deeply moving and thought-provoking work that leaves a lasting impression.

Even after those four months of reading, the book continues to linger in my mind, making me reflect on the nature of grief and loss.