It made me more uncomfortable than anything I've read recently.

The first person narration is unnervingly believable. It was not what I might have imagined a serial killer's voice to be, but it is now.

A lot of Goodreads reviewers seem to think that great books cannot be this upsetting. While I disagree with that premise and do consider this a very good piece of writing, I can't give it stars. It just isn't shiny.

However, I have since given it stars. Distance helped me heal. As time passed, I was able to look at the book from a different perspective. I realized that its ability to make me feel so uncomfortable was a testament to its power. The author had managed to create a vivid and disturbing portrait of a serial killer, and that is no small feat.

Now, I can appreciate the book for what it is: a well-written and thought-provoking piece of literature that challenges our assumptions and forces us to confront our darkest fears. It may not be a shiny or easy read, but it is one that will stay with me for a long time.

Not the JCO I remember.

Meet Quentin: a violent serial-rapist/killer and pedophile. Joyce Carol Oates has crafted a character who is truly disturbing. She attempts to place the reader inside the mind of this social deviant, but in doing so, she perhaps only manages to shock. There are moments in the story that are daring enough to overshadow the sudden, dramatic shifts in tone and style that the narrative sometimes experiences. It switches from pedantic, broken English to deep, allegorical, highly poetic aphorism. The latter, while perhaps interesting in its own right, would feel more compelling and authentic if it didn't stand in such contrast to the rest of the slim volume's sparse, reflexive style of writing.

Altogether, the story is chilling, with a daringly auspicious ending that leaves the reader with a sense of unease. It's a testament to Oates' skill as a writer that she can create such a complex and disturbing character and world, even if the execution isn't always perfect.

I had this book sitting on the shelf for a long time and I was afraid to start it. Another zombie story, I thought. But yes! Carol Oates is one of the eternal candidates for the Nobel Prize in Literature, and this story is different, not what you think it's about...

And it turns out they were right. This story is not about zombies, although they do play an important role in the plot. At least not from the canonical point of view where a creature returns from the dead to satisfy its hunger. However, if we take those creatures as automatons that move by instinct and are unable to control what their body asks for, then you understand that this novel is about a real, peculiar and terrifying Zombie.

With a first-person narrative, at times heavy but ultimately a complete success, you witness in the reading the life of a character without a name, initially, with a particular way of seeing the life that unfolds around him. Little more needs to be added to enter this world, except for one small detail...

The type of narrative that was sometimes heavy captivates you as the story progresses. Little by little you get to know the character you have in your hands through details, pills of a past that you still don't understand. It poses questions of who he is and why those around him treat him in such a peculiar way. You understand, you empathize with his life and even develop a certain affection for him, and when you realize it, you are already inside the mind of your protagonist. And that doesn't have to be bad. There are thousands of fantastic stories where you empathize so much with the character that you end up feeling so strong and powerful that you could face dragons and all kinds of adversities. But, in the case of this story, getting into the mind of a character means entering a dark and senseless world from which you can't get out without his actions leaving marks on you. Because he won't be a zombie, he won't eat brains or wander the streets in search of blood, but he is a being who has many instincts and will do whatever is necessary to satisfy them.

Zombi is a forceful, direct story, at times disturbing and a direct punch to the society we find ourselves in, where your value as a human being depends on your social class or your contacts. A terrifying journey without return through the mind of a complete and ruthless psychopath.

Some time ago, I gave it a reread to finish organizing some ideas (and because I was putting together something related to Jeffrey Dahmer). And, after paying it some attention, I realized that I was a bit harsh with my initial comments about the book. Perhaps it was because I had too many expectations placed on something that would blow my mind with its originality. However, this novel doesn't necessarily aim to be a 100% original story, but rather to depict a bit of the life of a real-life monster.

The descriptions are truly graphic and terrifying. Although I still maintain that, at times, it can be a bit monotonous. Oates' writing style still seems beautiful to me, and without a doubt, I'm going to read more of the author's works.

I think that despite its flaws, this book has its merits. It offers a unique perspective on a disturbing subject matter. It makes you think about the nature of evil and the people who commit such heinous crimes.

Overall, I would recommend this book to those who are interested in true crime or psychological thrillers. It's not for the faint of heart, but it can be a thought-provoking and engaging read.

A disturbing book for strong stomachs.

How talented Oates is at sketching in the tiniest details the psychology of an unforgettable protagonist. She adapts the prose (simple, dry, sharp or calm as needed, at times hypnotic and repetitive, at times pressing) to a narrative voice that is the protagonist herself, deviated, sadistic and irremediably disturbed. This allows her to bring to light a numbed and indifferent society.

Oates' writing is a masterclass in character development and social commentary. Through the eyes of this troubled protagonist, we are forced to confront the darker side of human nature and the consequences of a society that turns a blind eye to the suffering of others.

The book is not for the faint of heart, but for those who are willing to engage with its uncomfortable themes, it offers a profound and thought-provoking reading experience. It challenges us to look beyond the surface and question the values and beliefs that shape our world.

In conclusion, this disturbing book is a testament to Oates' skill as a writer and her ability to create complex and memorable characters that stay with us long after we have turned the last page.

Anyone who knows me well is aware that I have a certain obsession with serial killers. After a recent conversation about Jeffrey Dahmer (yes, such is the glamorous life of a psych grad student), I recalled a former lit professor mentioning this evilly wonderful novel by Joyce Carol Oates, one of the underappreciated literary greats. The novel's protagonist is heavily based on Dahmer, who had similar zombie-making inclinations. I devoured it in about two days flat and wished it had been longer so I didn't have to stop reading.

Don't let the "literary" label scare you. It's not overly flowery or like that Victorian stuff your teacher made you read in high school. Oates writes in a vocabulary accessible to any reader, except perhaps children, as it would likely scar them. Like American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis, it delves into the mind of a killer. However, this killer is no suave Patrick Bateman. He's sometimes grandiose, sometimes naïve, and sometimes childish, to the extent that you might find yourself cheering him on halfway through, only to catch yourself and think, "Wait. Bad C.J. Stop supporting the serial killer." But that's the power of Oates' empathic portrait. You can simultaneously hate him, fear him, and feel for him. Not many books can achieve that, can they?

Plot-wise, it's not your typical crime novel. It jumps around a bit and keeps you guessing. It's not a blood-and-guts story. But Oates' descriptions are so perfect (for example, "My whole body is a numb tongue.") that you can feel every sensation, from Quentin's queer psychopathic glee to the sharp point of that ice pick. The ending was less satisfying, but it left the chills it was no doubt intended to. If you have a strong stomach, give it a read. It's beautifully horrifying.

Read more (http://cjlistro.blogspot.com/2012/05/...)

The movie I just watched was truly a disappointment.

It was poorly written, with a plot that seemed to lack any real direction or coherence. The characters were one-dimensional and uninteresting, making it difficult to feel any emotional connection to them.

The execution of the movie was also subpar. The acting was wooden, and the special effects were cheap and unconvincing. There was nothing in the movie that was even remotely frightening or shocking, despite the fact that it was supposed to be a horror film.

In conclusion, I would not recommend this movie to anyone. It was a waste of time and money, and I left the theater feeling frustrated and dissatisfied.

Utterly horrifying

The event that took place was truly and utterly horrifying. It sent shivers down the spines of everyone who witnessed it. The scene was filled with chaos and destruction, leaving a sense of dread and fear in the air. People were running in all directions, trying to escape the terror that seemed to be无处不在. The screams and cries for help could be heard from miles away, adding to the overall sense of horror. It was a sight that would haunt the memories of those who saw it for a long time to come. The cause of this horror is still unknown, but one thing is for sure, it has left a lasting impact on the community.

As the news of this horrifying event spread, people from all over the world were shocked and appalled. Many are now calling for answers and justice to be served. The authorities are working hard to investigate the incident and bring those responsible to justice. In the meantime, the community is coming together to support those who have been affected by this tragedy.

We can only hope that such a horrifying event never happens again and that we can all work together to make the world a safer place.

3.2 stars.

I don't know, it left a bitter taste in my mouth. I didn't dislike Oates' writing at all. In fact, I will read more of the author (my usual refrain). However, this Q. P... He seemed to me more of a guy who needed so much, but so much love. Probably the desire to create beings without conscience is due to the difficult relationship with the parental figures, especially with the father, but there is something else in my opinion that is not explored in depth. Anyway, this character will have been the precursor of many "mythical" figures passed into the history of cinema and TV, above all, Dexter Morgan (I immediately thought of him while reading the book). I know that Oates is a rather eclectic writer, and I really want to enter another of her universes to see how her pen fares.

Maybe the next work of Oates will bring me more surprises and a deeper understanding of her writing style. I'm looking forward to it.

Although this book didn't fully satisfy me, it still made me curious about her other works. I believe that each of her books has its own unique charm and value.

I will continue to explore the world of Joyce Carol Oates and see what else she has in store for me.

This is a short novel, but it is extremely intense.

It is told from the perspective of Quentin, the protagonist, who is a serial killer. Everything is rather repulsive and very unpleasant.

The description of his actions and thoughts makes the reader feel a sense of horror and disgust.

However, in a strange way, this might be what the author intended.

By presenting such a disturbing character and his deeds, the novel manages to evoke strong emotions in the reader.

It makes us question our own moral compass and forces us to face the darker side of human nature.

Perhaps this is the power of this short but intense novel. It challenges us and makes us think about the things we would rather not think about.

So, even though it is repulsive and unpleasant, it achieves its purpose of making an impact on the reader.

This book came to my mind today as I was browsing a discussion thread titled, "Do you have to like the narrator to enjoy the book?"

Quentin, the decidedly unlikeable narrator of Oates' 1995 novel Zombie, kidnaps young men, holds them captive in his house, and then applies an icepick to their brains in his quest to create the perfect zombie love slave. He isn't particularly adept with the pick, and young men die horribly. There is a great deal of ugly, violent rape and worse. Quentin also seems to love baby chicks, and then he does something terrible with them.

The chicks notwithstanding, I didn't much like Quentin, nor did I enjoy the book. But that's not to imply the answer to the question posed in the discussion thread is "yes." I don't much like Anse Bundren, Victor Frankenstein or Humbert Humbert, either, and their books are some of my all-time favorites. No, this is just an ugly, awful novel, but it's supposed to be, so that's not really a valid criticism on my part. Plenty of other readers enjoyed it; I just wasn't one of them.

Here's a funny/sad story. Back in 1995, the librarian at the high school where I teach purchased this book and put it on the "new" shelf. I'm not sure what she thought she was buying. It was pretty clear at the time that Oates was writing a first person point-of-view novel from the perspective of a sadistic serial killer based on Jeffery Dahmer. I checked it out the first day, read it in about a week and then returned it. But after that, the book was never reshelved, and then its entry vanished altogether from the electronic card catalog. Sigh...

Perhaps the librarian realized the disturbing nature of the book and decided it wasn't suitable for the high school library. Or maybe there was some other reason for its disappearance. In any case, it's a shame that such an interesting and controversial novel was removed from circulation. I wonder if any of the students at the school ever got to read it.

Despite my personal dislike for the book, I can appreciate the skill with which Oates wrote it. She was able to create a vivid and disturbing portrait of a truly evil character. And while the subject matter is not for the faint of heart, it does make for a thought-provoking read.

So, do you have to like the narrator to enjoy a book? In my opinion, the answer is no. A great book can be enjoyed regardless of whether or not you like the narrator. It all depends on the quality of the writing, the depth of the characters, and the overall story.

Perturbador y malrollero.

It is not a book for everyone. However, if you get into the story, you are going to love it.

This book has a unique charm that can draw you in and make you unable to put it down.

The plot is full of twists and turns, and the characters are vivid and interesting.

Although it may not be suitable for all tastes, for those who appreciate this kind of genre, it is definitely a must-read.

I am really looking forward to writing a detailed review of it in the near future to share my thoughts and feelings with more people.

Hopefully, more people will discover the beauty of this book and enjoy it as much as I do.