This is the fourth JCO book that I have delved into, and it is also the fourth JCO book that contains a rape scene within its pages.

There are certain aspects of her work that I find appealing, while there are others that I do not. She is extremely adept at transforming psychological pain into tangible, physical pain. When her characters experience sorrow, they succumb to dramatic and repulsive illnesses. When her characters feel degraded or afraid, they are victimized by rapes, assaults, and nightmares. By the time you reach the end of a Joyce Carol Oates book, you have been provided with an abundance of opportunities to vividly experience the misery that she endeavors to convey.

However, in my personal experience, the unfortunate consequence of this is that her books often come across as exaggerated, horrific, overly self-important, and lacking in humor.

This implies that although I believe she is engaged in something of value with her writing, it never truly feels believable to me. She goes to great lengths to torment and destroy her characters, and each book appears to depict the same dismal downward spiral.

So, while this particular book presented some interesting interpersonal dynamics, rich descriptions, and a rather engaging main character, I had to award it only two stars because it felt overly dramatic, excessively miserable, and almost sadistic, making it a less than worthwhile read.

During the final 50 pages or so, the suffering became so intense that it almost bordered on being comical, yet it persisted and persisted until the story had completely exhausted itself.

Not one of Oates' more popular books, but I found it compelling. This particular work might not have achieved the same level of acclaim as some of her other well-known titles. However, there was something about it that truly captivated me. The story, although perhaps not as mainstream as others, had a unique charm and depth that drew me in. I'm guessing on the read date, as it has been a while since I delved into its pages. But the impact it had on me still lingers. The characters were vividly portrayed, and the plot had enough twists and turns to keep me engaged from start to finish. Despite its lack of popularity, this book is definitely worth a read for those who are willing to explore the lesser-known works of a talented author like Oates.

A distinctly minor Oates novel, both in length and scope. The story has a narrow focus, centering on the emotional entanglement of a naive prep school teacher, Monica, with her neighboring artist, Sheila. Sheila is the widow of an artist, and she continues her work, striving towards a major show. However, the path to the show is a bumpy one for Monica. She is newly divorced, and the remnants of her marriage still trouble her. In the classroom, she is adequate, and she is sociable with her colleagues. But she is completely fascinated by her mercurial artist neighbor, Sheila, who bombards Monica with her contradictory demands and the unpredictable ups and downs of her inner life.

I guess the novel is about the way that strong, complex people like Sheila can draw in acolytes like Monica, who are fascinated by the strange and inexplicable extremes of the artist's behavior. Oates is extremely good at depicting the exasperating yet captivating character of Sheila. One day, Sheila exhibits exalted and unstoppably outgoing (but perhaps socially transgressive) behavior, only to fall into a pit of gloomy self-doubt the next. She first issues an impossible invitation for Monica to join her in a 6-week stay in Morocco during Monica's school year, and then abruptly disappears for 6 weeks. Upon her return, Sheila is mysteriously ambiguous about where she went and what she gained from her trip.

No character in this novel is very admirable, but that is quite typical for Oates novels. I will remember Monica's convincingly ambivalent attitude towards Sheila. Sheila captivates Monica, confuses her, and uses her. One day, Sheila acts like a best friend, and the next, she behaves like a stranger who is not interested in knowing about Monica. Monica's problem is that she takes Sheila too seriously, when she should react like most of Sheila's other neighbors, who keep their distance and simply enjoy the circulating rumors.

Anything that JCO writes haunts you for a little bit afterwards.

I vividly remember the first time I read her works in college. It was an exciting moment when I discovered this particular piece and a couple of her other remarkable works at a local sale.

The stories she weaves are not only interesting but also thrilling in that slightly creepy way that lingers in your mind.

JCO has a unique talent for creating atmospheres and characters that stay with you long after you've turned the last page.

Her writing style is captivating, drawing you in and making you unable to put the book down.

Each of her works is like a journey into a mysterious and often disturbing world, yet one that you can't help but be intrigued by.

Whether it's the complex emotions of the characters or the unexpected twists and turns of the plot, JCO's writing always manages to leave a lasting impression.

It's no wonder that her works have gained such a dedicated following over the years.

Reading JCO is an experience that you won't forget easily.

I'm not entirely certain what my thoughts are regarding this book. The story delves into the realm of friendships, vividly illustrating how they have the potential to morph into a state of codependency. It's a fascinating exploration of the complex dynamics that can exist within relationships.

Moreover, the book also touches upon the theme of creativity. It showcases just how much creativity can demand from the individual who is its source. The creator often has to pour in a great deal of time, energy, and passion.

Overall, this book seems to offer a multi-faceted look at these two important aspects of life. It makes one stop and think about the nature of friendships and the sacrifices that come with being a creative individual. It's a thought-provoking read that has the potential to引发 deep discussions and self-reflection.

Solstice is an intriguingly dark story that revolves around two women. Sheila Trask, a quixotic artist, leads a life on a grand scale. Her creative process is accompanied by intermittent manic and depressive episodes. Monica Jensen, on the other hand, is a newly divorced woman who has relocated to the area near where Sheila lives. She works as a teacher at a Preparatory School for boys. Sheila is a tall and captivating brunette, while Monica is a petite blonde who is quiet and reserved.

As they enter each other's worlds through their friendship, the boundaries between them gradually merge, leading to shattering consequences. Joyce Carol Oates employs a unique style in this story, skillfully building the events around what seems like an impending cataclysmic event. The ending is so menacing that it leaves the reader gasping for breath, unable to shake off the sense of unease that lingers long after the final page.

This story explores themes of attraction, difference, and the blurring of boundaries, making it a thought-provoking and engaging read.

Such a delicate way of retelling the story of two women. Oates presents the narrative in an incredibly intimate manner. It's as if you are right there in the room with them, witnessing their every interaction. However, there is also a sense of removal, a distance that makes you feel more separated from the closeness they share. The fact that there are few other characters in the story really serves to enhance the relationship between the two women. It allows the reader to focus solely on their connection, their emotions, and their experiences. Without the distraction of other characters, the bond between the two women becomes even more palpable, more intense. It's a masterful portrayal of a complex and deeply felt relationship.

Deep, dark and erotic.

These are the characteristics that often define a particular genre of literature or film.

The powerful female characters within this realm are often dysfunctional, yet captivating.

Their flaws and brokenness add to their allure, making them both fascinating and relatable.

They may struggle with past traumas, emotional instability, or a desire for power and control.

Despite their dysfunctions, they possess an inner strength and determination that allows them to overcome obstacles and pursue their desires.

These female characters challenge traditional gender roles and expectations, showing that women can be both strong and vulnerable, sexy and complex.

They are a reflection of the diverse and multifaceted nature of women in real life.

Whether it's in a steamy romance novel or a gritty crime drama, these powerful and dysfunctional female characters continue to capture our imaginations and keep us coming back for more.

The product is objectively good but not amazing.

It has its own set of features and qualities that make it a decent choice in the market.

The design is sleek and modern, which gives it an attractive外观.

The performance is reliable and consistent, meeting the basic requirements of users.

However, it lacks that certain something that would make it truly stand out from the competition.

There are no revolutionary features or breakthrough technologies that would wow the customers.

It is just a solid, average product that gets the job done.

Overall, if you are looking for a good product that is not overly expensive and does what it is supposed to do, this could be a suitable option for you.

But if you are seeking something extraordinary and unique, you might want to look elsewhere.

SPOILERS:

‘Solstice’ is a bodice ripper specifically targeted at middle-aged, bi-curious women. However, this wasn't the sole reason for its awfulness. It was just an unexpected aspect for me. I purchased the book because the blurb seemed thrilling, promising a "gripping" tale about two women and their friendship, love, and obsession. While I'm glad I read the novel as it was my first encounter with Joyce Carol Oates' work, I deeply regret not opting for a pirated PDF edition instead of the $10 physical copy I bought from the bookstore clearance table. The text failed to deliver on any of its promises. It was lazy, poorly conceived, and written. One of my least favorite scenes was when Monica and Sheila were talking on the phone, then forgot about it in the next paragraph and ended up stroking each other's cheeks. It was a complete waste of my attention and made me quite angry. In fact, it even made me lose some faith in clearance tables.

Firstly, the story is very blatantly queer, which is unusual considering that nothing actually queer happens. I felt like Oates was taking advantage of me as I read more and more, constantly anticipating a forward provocation or queer attraction to match the direct narration, but it never materialized. If subtlety was the intended goal, it was completely missed by the third time Monica admired Sheila's beauty in the first part. Beyond that, the text was boring, repetitive (with whole paragraphs being copied and pasted numerous times), and random.

My main issue with the text arose in the last 50 or so pages, which I was already reluctant to read. Oates suddenly introduced a SA + Suicide narrative, out of nowhere yet with intense foreshadowing. This came across as a cheap and thoughtless way to conclude a 200+ page book that frankly didn't need to be written in the first place. It was insensitive to use such heavy subject matter as a narrative gimmick and insulting to overshadow what could have been an epic moment of queer visibility in an 80s book, all for the sake of an ending. In this regard, Oates rushed a lackluster book to its conclusion, leaving me with mental whiplash.

Oscar Wilde, despite facing criticism and censorship in the late 19th century, was still able to write texts that were more authentically and proudly queer than Oates, who was evidently afraid to write about anything more explicit than juvenile hand holding.

I'm giving it 2 stars instead of 1 because it was so bad that it was, in a strange way, fun to think about.

I was conflicted throughout most of the reading regarding whether or not I liked this book. The story had its moments, but then the final act seemed completely shoehorned in. It felt incredibly unnecessary and, in fact, it took away from the main plot.

These two women had an intense infatuation with each other and were constantly vying for control in their relationship. That aspect was truly compelling and held my interest. However, the final act, which focused on a man's actions, was introduced without any warning in one chapter and wrapped up in just two pages.

It then took the focus away from the relationship between the two women. How did this sudden turn of events impact their relationship? It really should have just remained centered on their relationship and not been derailed by this seemingly random addition of a man's actions.

This was an interesting book that I happened to pick up for free. Once I started reading, I simply devoured it.

The writing style of this book is really incredible. It is so palpable that it seems to draw you right into the story.

The characters in the book seemed so real. They had their own unique personalities and flaws, which made them very relatable.

Because of the well-developed characters and the great story, I was really engaged while reading. However, as I reached the end, I didn't really feel that the story went anywhere.

Despite this, I was not unpleased that I read it. In fact, there is something about this book that has lingered on in my consciousness even after I have finished reading it. I'm not quite sure what it is, but it has left an impression on me.

Overall, this was a book that I would recommend to others, especially those who enjoy a good story with well-developed characters and an interesting writing style.