This book had such amazing imagery and writing. The descriptions were so vivid that they seemed to leap off the page and create a world within my mind. However, despite the beautiful prose, I couldn't even finish it. The reason being that, quite literally, nothing was happening.

Page after page, I found myself waiting for something to occur, for a plot twist or a character development that would capture my attention and draw me further into the story. But alas, it never came. The lack of action made the book feel stagnant and uninteresting, and I eventually lost patience and put it down.

It's a shame really, because the author clearly had a talent for writing. The words were carefully chosen and the sentences were constructed with precision. But without a compelling story to support it, all the beautiful imagery and writing in the world couldn't keep me engaged.

Perhaps if the author had focused more on developing the plot and adding some excitement, I would have been able to finish the book and fully appreciate its beauty. As it stands, however, it will remain an unfinished work on my bookshelf.

So, I have to be completely honest here.

I really only decided to read this particular book because it is set in the town where I live. Additionally, Solstice happens to be the name of my absolute favorite Urban Decay eyeshadow.

This was also the very first Oates book that I actually managed to finish. I had read half of Bellefleur and then set it aside, planning to come back to it another day. I will definitely pick it up soon as it has that gothic tone that I am so eager for.

This book is a very well-written case study of two extremely memorable women and how their friendship gradually blurs the lines and develops into something more of a relationship.

However, it should be noted that not a whole lot of action takes place throughout the story and the storyline can seem a bit on the mundane side. So, if you are someone who is constantly desiring action or drama in a book, then you probably won't enjoy this one too much.

But on the other hand, if you have a penchant for character studies and really getting into the psychology of human interactions, then this book is truly perfect for you.

Here's a warning though: The ending left me feeling majorly unsettled and it really felt like it was rushed.

Overall, I would give this book 3 solid stars. The writing was engaging enough to keep me interested and constantly flipping the pages! It was definitely well worth the read!

In my opinion, "Compelling to read" is a work that stands out.

It slightly deviates from Joyce Carol Oates' typical prose style, which is known for its complexity and depth. However, this piece has its own unique charm.

The emotions it conveys are super strong, making it extremely moving.

The author seems to have tapped into a wellspring of intense feeling and has masterfully translated it onto the page.

Each word and sentence seems to be carefully chosen to evoke a specific response from the reader.

The story unfolds in a way that keeps the reader engaged from beginning to end, with twists and turns that add to the overall impact.

Despite its departure from Oates' usual style, "Compelling to read" is a testament to her versatility as a writer.

It shows that she is capable of exploring different themes and emotions, and of doing so in a way that is both engaging and thought-provoking.

Overall, this is a work that I would highly recommend to anyone who enjoys reading literature that is both powerful and poignant.

I still haven't read a novel by Joyce Carol Oates that I truly love.

Hmm, perhaps it's because I simply select them randomly from the library shelves based on their titles or cover art, rather than on any recommendations.

Which one should I read? Are there any suggestions out there?

Anyway, in case you wish to know about this particular one, it is a story of two women in a small town in Pennsylvania. They have an intense and rather screwed-up friendship, with a really strange power dynamic.

One of them is semi-famous and requires a groupie, while the other is a blond divorcee who feels as though she has lost some past promise and craves to be flattered and needed.

One odd thing about it is that the two characters are relatively young (late 20s, mid-30s), yet the way they are described makes it seem as if they are aging.

I wonder how old the author was when she wrote this.

Anyway, it wasn't terrible and certain parts of it were quite insightful, but it didn't really grip me.

Maybe I should explore more of her works with a more informed approach, rather than just relying on random selection.

This is the story of Monica Jensen and Sheila Trask. They are neighbors and ultimately become friends. Monica is a teacher at an exclusive boys school, while Sheila is a renowned artist. These two ladies are polar opposites. As the saying goes, opposites attract.

Monica is a disciplined and organized person, dedicated to her teaching profession. Sheila, on the other hand, is a free-spirited and creative individual, expressing herself through her art. Despite their differences, they develop an exclusive friendship. Their relationship is complex, filled with both love and hate. It is intense and at times disturbing.

This book delves into their friendship, exploring their homes, social lives, and business activities. For me, it represents a different direction for JCO. I admired the writing style and the well-developed characters. However, in comparison to other JCO books I have read, this one seemed to lack the excitement and intrigue that I have come to expect. Nevertheless, it is still a decent read from one of my favorite authors.

Compared to other authors, she is rated a 4.

However, when compared to her other works that I've read, she gets a 3.

This difference in ratings might seem a bit puzzling at first.

Perhaps it's because her other works had set a higher standard for her.

Maybe the particular work being compared here didn't quite meet the expectations that were built up from her previous efforts.

It could also be that the style or theme of this work didn't resonate with me as strongly as her other ones.

Nonetheless, a 3 is still a respectable rating, and it shows that she has some talent and ability as an author.

It will be interesting to see how her future works develop and whether she can regain the higher rating that she achieved in comparison to other authors.

I first came across this book in 1986 and have reread it twice since then. Joyce Carol Oates was the first contemporary American author to make a profound impression on me, such that her work lingered in my mind long after I finished reading. "Solstice," like many of Oates' other works, doesn't present a rosy picture. Great fiction often delves into complex, sad, scary, and bitter relationships. Happy relationships are perhaps better suited for the Harlequins of the world. Sometimes, when you're in a strange, complex mood, you crave strange, complex reading for catharsis and all that.
"Solstice" lingers like the presence of someone who has just left the room. If you peruse some of the reviews written about this book, you'll find mentions of everything from stormy psyches to lesbian subtext. Whatever the motivation behind Monica and Sheila's relationship, there is a mix of fascination and even a certain kind of subtle hatred. Monica is transfixed by Sheila, and Sheila seems to use Monica as a dumping ground. They probably wish they could walk away from each other with a clean break, but they can't. As Sheila says, "we'll be friends for a long, long time...unless one of us dies." It might seem like a normal thing to say, but it still has an eerie quality.
They behave more like people in love than friends; what they have isn't exactly chemistry, but it has a certain drawing power. I've always thought this novel is more about hatred than love, but sometimes hatred is just love in a state of confusion.

It makes you wonder about the true nature of human relationships and how easily emotions can become intertwined and distorted. Oates does an excellent job of exploring these complex themes and making the reader think long after the last page is turned.

The characters in "Solstice" are so vividly portrayed that they almost seem to come to life off the page. You can feel their pain, their confusion, and their longing. It's a powerful and thought-provoking read that I would highly recommend to anyone who enjoys exploring the darker side of human nature.

Whether you're a fan of Joyce Carol Oates or just looking for a good book to sink your teeth into, "Solstice" is definitely worth checking out. It's a novel that will stay with you long after you've finished reading it.

Surreal Bro

Surreal Bro is an extraordinary concept that takes us into a world beyond our imagination.

It's like a magical portal that opens up to a realm where the ordinary becomes extraordinary and the impossible becomes possible.

Surreal Bro can be a source of inspiration, allowing us to break free from the constraints of reality and explore new ideas and perspectives.

With its unique and captivating nature, Surreal Bro has the power to engage our senses and stimulate our creativity.

It can make us see the world in a whole new light, uncovering hidden beauty and meaning that we may have otherwise overlooked.

Whether it's through art, literature, or other forms of expression, Surreal Bro offers us a chance to escape the mundane and embark on a journey of self-discovery and exploration.

So, embrace the surreal and let Surreal Bro引领 you to a world of limitless possibilities.

This book may not be the best work of Oates, but I still found it quite enjoyable.

The novel delves deep into the complex issue of identity. Monica, the protagonist, has always been plagued by uncertainty about who she truly is. In high school, she achieved popularity by conforming to the role of the golden girl. However, this façade掩盖了 her inner turmoil.

Later in life, Monica finds herself trapped in a loveless marriage, as if she has simply drifted into it without much thought.

Adding another layer to the story are the new identities that Monica and Sheila adopt during their pub crawls. This exploration of their friendship dynamics is both fascinating and thought-provoking. It makes the reader wonder about the true nature of friendship and how our identities can shape and be shaped by our relationships. Overall, despite its flaws, this novel offers a unique perspective on the human experience of grappling with identity.

I discovered this book to be rather straightforward and uncomplicated to read. Despite that, my interest began to wane in the final 30 pages or thereabouts.

The story presents an interesting relationship. It involves a young divorced teacher who has relocated to a rural town and school in Bucks County. She crosses paths with a painter who is extremely eccentric.

Throughout the narrative, I was constantly anticipating a more pronounced romantic aspect to develop. However, it turned out that the central theme was more about control issues. This unexpected turn left me feeling rather disappointed with the ending.

I had hoped for a more fulfilling and satisfying conclusion that would have tied up the loose ends and provided a more conclusive resolution to the relationship between the teacher and the painter.

Overall, while the book had its moments of interest, the lackluster ending somewhat dampened my overall impression of it.

3.5 stars

This dark and thought-provoking book truly had me engaged.

I really appreciate the diverse layers of the concept of solstice that were employed.

I came across a review that claimed the sole meaning of solstice in the entire book was the sculpture created by Sheila's husband. However, I couldn't disagree more strongly.

The back of my edition actually defines solstice as a furthest point, a turning point, or a point of culmination.

It makes one wonder what exactly turns a relationship toxic. Is there a specific moment that triggers it, or is it a more gradual process?

Is there that one straw that finally breaks the camel's back?

I also found the female relationship in the book quite interesting, despite it being toxic for both of them.

Mainly because I feel that female friendships are often portrayed in a rather one-dimensional way, either as all sunshine and roses or as mean girls.

This book offers a more complex and nuanced exploration of female relationships, which I found refreshing.

The emotional stakes were here for sure.

I think a great number of people have gone through this kind of heightened “frenemies” situation. It's that complex and often intense relationship where there's a mix of friendship and rivalry.

When reading about it, it was truly gripping. It's as if you can't look away, drawn in by the drama and the push and pull of emotions.

You find yourself empathizing with the characters, understanding their conflicts and the inner turmoil they're experiencing.

It makes you realize how common these types of relationships are in our lives, and how they can have such a profound impact on our emotions and well-being.

The story becomes a mirror, reflecting our own experiences and making us think about how we handle similar situations in our own lives.

Overall, it's a fascinating and engaging read that keeps you on the edge of your seat.