A truly fascinating study unfolds within the pages of this book, delving into the intense friendship between a mercurial and eccentric artist and her seemingly more conventional school teacher friend. The portrayal of these women is remarkable, as they are well-drawn, complex, and entirely believable characters. The author's writing is nothing short of wonderful, infusing the story with a dark, almost gothic sensibility and an edge of menace that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat. However, there is one small fault to note. The end seems to occur rather abruptly, with a bit of a turnaround that leaves the reader wondering why it happened. I found myself a bit puzzled by the last couple of chapters. Despite this minor flaw, this is still a really brilliant book that offers a captivating exploration of friendship, mystery, and the human psyche.

I gave it a 3.

This is because I do recognize the fact that she is a very good writer. Her skills in crafting a story are quite evident.

However, this particular tale of an ultimate toxic friendship was just too dark for my liking.

The story revolved around two very different women, and the constant turbulence within their relationship was overwhelming.

I felt like I simply wasn't in the right frame of mind to fully appreciate and understand the depth of the emotions and the complex nature of their connection.

Maybe if I had been in a different state of mind, I would have been able to see the beauty and the significance behind the darkness.

But as it stands, the story left me with a sense of unease and a feeling that I couldn't quite grasp the full essence of it.

Nonetheless, I still acknowledge the author's talent and look forward to seeing what else she has to offer in the future.

A Sapphic tale unfolds, filled with toxic obsession that grips the hearts of its characters. It is a story that weaves a web of passion and longing, yet is laced with a hint of toxicity that cannot be ignored.

To add to the allure, there is a decent sprinkling of questionable oriental intrigue. The exotic setting and mysterious elements add an air of mystery and excitement to the narrative, making it all the more captivating.

And throughout it all, the story is told in good form, thanks to Liv. Her writing skills bring the tale to life, painting vivid pictures in the reader's mind and evoking a range of emotions. It is a story that will keep you on the edge of your seat, eager to see what happens next.

The foreboding feeling throughout this book was INTENSE, in a good way.

From the very beginning, the author managed to create an atmosphere that made the reader constantly feel on edge.

The use of vivid descriptions and mysterious plot twists added to this sense of foreboding.

As the story progressed, the tension continued to build, keeping the reader hooked and eager to find out what would happen next.

The characters' actions and decisions also contributed to the overall feeling of unease.

It was as if they were all being led towards an inevitable and perhaps even tragic outcome.

Despite the intense foreboding, the book was still highly engaging and enjoyable.

The author's skill in creating this atmosphere was truly remarkable and added an extra layer of depth to the story.

Overall, it was a great read that left a lasting impression on the reader.

I finished Joyce Carol Oates’ Solstice last night.

A dear friend mailed it to me last month, with a note saying that it “gave me weird dreams, and I hope you like it.”

In true JCO fashion, it was an intense, mildly confusing, slightly angering tale.

Two women, Monica and Sheila, who become friends for reasons that are never really explored, develop a sort of codependent relationship.

This relationship leaves them both bitter and angry a majority of the time.

The sickness and art of Sheila is thrilling for the bored schoolteacher Monica. [mild spoilers ahead] But giving over her life to the other woman leaves Monica with a madness that nearly kills her.

It’s a look and commentary at deep friendships, the art world of the 70’s and 80’s, and small town socialization.

It’s such a simple story on the outset: Monica and Sheila become friends. But JCO is so good at drawing out emotions and wreaking havoc on a should-be simple life, relationship, and persona.

She is truly a master at her craft. The last line is going to stay with me for a long time, perhaps until I die.

It was a thought-provoking and engaging read that I would highly recommend to anyone who enjoys literary fiction.

The first book I ever read by Joyce Carol Oates was a couple of decades ago when it was still recent.

I was immediately drawn into the story, which I found to be truly gripping. The friendship between the two women in the book felt so realistic, although it was also quite problematic.

I have re-read and enjoyed it once since then, and perhaps it remains my favorite by JCO to this day.

Joyce Carol Oates is a masterful storyteller, and this book is a prime example of her talent. The characters are well-developed, and the plot keeps you on the edge of your seat.

Even after all these years, I still remember the details of the story and the emotions it evoked in me. It's a book that has stayed with me and that I would highly recommend to anyone looking for a great read.

Whether you're a fan of Joyce Carol Oates or just looking for a new book to add to your collection, this one is definitely worth checking out.

There is a great deal of talk about suicide and self-harm, as well as sexual assault in this story.

I'm going to be pondering this one for a long time. It's not always pleasant to read, but it really packs a punch. The book centers around a recently divorced young woman named Monica, who leaves her previous life behind and gets involved in an extremely toxic and obsessive... friendship with an eccentric widowed painter named Sheila. I put "friendship" in quotes like that because although they don't technically progress beyond that stage, it was immediately obvious to me that Monica is attracted to Sheila. And I don't think a lesbian (/wlw - there are implications that Sheila is bisexual) interpretation of this book is just subtext - it reads like a novel about a woman violently grappling with her desire for another woman, a desire that often manifests as a blinding rage similar to hatred. Monica does hate Sheila too, because their relationship alternates between affection and bullying, along with strange power plays, and it's not healthy for either of them. But it's not a simple or pure hatred.

There's also something in here about performing heterosexuality as a deflection, a proxy, or even as self-harm. I have very complex feelings about this because it leads to the sexual assault scene near the end of the book. It's difficult to read. But I'm certain I'll return to this again in the future.

**Solsticio de Joyce Carol Oates: A Psychological Confrontation**

Deciding how to start this special year was crucial to give impetus to my idea. The only thing I was clear about was that I wanted to start with something I really liked. After all, it's about reading, and if you don't enjoy reading, you're in trouble. That's why, in a way, like a circle that closes almost from the first moment, I thought of my dear Joyce Carol Oates. The book was pure chance, a decommissioned book that I had to directly put on Good Reads because no one had put it in the database. This is certainly strange considering that the book is from 1985 and this edition, in particular, is from 2002.

Apart from the anecdotes, the choice has been very appropriate. Among the eclectic possibilities that Oates' life and work offer us, this book specifically, due to the theme it treats and the way it does it, has to do with a form of writing that could be more associated with women, dealing with the strange love-hate relationship between them. In fact, as I was reading it, the idea that Adrienne Rich held came to my mind, according to which women reach a degree of friendship so intimate, so special that it cannot be replicated by any friendship between men, not even homosexuals. Rich even contextualized it among friends who don't have to be lesbians.

In Solsticio, Joyce Carol Oates approaches this type of friendship between two radically different women, in origin and social condition. On the one hand, we have Mónica, who despite her youth is experienced in life. At twenty-nine, she is already divorced and is fleeing the memory of a time that made her forget how precious she was to herself. On the other hand, there is the powerful figure of Sheila Trask, an artist with a famous husband related to art. Her description is very significant, using physical characteristics to highlight the psychology behind, her striking personality, even adopting male traits, but singularly attractive.

The friendship between the two will be the axis of a book that plays with psychological characterization, in a relationship of opposites, strange, more difficult to understand from a male perspective; a relationship of extremes where hate and love appear intimately related. Through the contrast between Mónica and Sheila, Oates explores various aspects such as the presence of women in art and more structural issues. The book presents new perspectives that make my mind open to what may be possible, even if at first I may not be able to understand it. It starts my year, and the premiere is (almost) unbeatable. There is still a lot for me to enjoy.

Published in http://lecturaylocura.com/solsticio-d...

I truly wish I could claim that I have perused every single one of Joyce Carol Oates's novels.

Since 1967, she has seemingly published almost one novel each year, presenting a vast body of work that is not only extensive but also of remarkable quality.

Her novels possess unique voices that draw readers in and excellent writing that keeps them engaged.

For instance, "My Sister, My Love" is a must-read.

However, "Solstice" is not among my personal favorites.

At times, the prose gives the impression of someone pacing back and forth rapidly, lacking a certain smoothness.

Nevertheless, as is characteristic of her novels, it delves into the dark recesses of people and their relationships.

In "Solstice," the relationship under scrutiny is between two women.

One is divorced, the other widowed.

One is a quiet teacher, while the other is a somewhat neurotic artist.

One is new to the community, and the other is well-known and the subject of gossip.

Their individual neediness alternately pulls them together and drives them apart.

Monica, who is needy yet compliant, becomes more of a victim to Sheila, who has a need to dominate and manipulate.

Unfortunately, the book never reaches a point where the issues at stake transcend the two women.

While their lives are indeed significant and manipulative relationships can be destructive, Joyce Carol Oates has produced better works.

Therefore, I am eager to read her latest novel, hoping for a more profound and satisfying experience.

I have delved deep into a vast amount of JCO's works, and I must say that this particular piece is not among her finest.

It gives the impression of being an experiment that perhaps took a slightly misstep.

The narrative seems to lack the usual finesse and coherence that we have come to expect from her.

The characters don't quite leap off the page with the same vividness as in her other masterpieces.

It's as if the author was trying something new, but it didn't quite gel together as smoothly as hoped.

However, it's important to remember that even the greatest of artists have their off days, and this one work doesn't overshadow the brilliance of her overall body of work.

Nonetheless, it's a bit disappointing compared to the high standards she has set for herself.

Four stars are awarded for the excellent writing and the captivating setup of a troupe that remains dedicated to literature and TV even in the present. The story begins with the protagonist becoming completely obsessed with someone, only to have that person leave them alone, causing the protagonist to flail around, trying to make sense of a life without them. Everything leading up to their reconnection is masterfully written. I also gave it four stars due to the spine-chilling ending quote and the way the character's self-absorbed personality is beautifully cracked during a time of crisis.

However, a traumatizing event occurs out of nowhere, involving the protagonist and a completely different character. It was so sudden that I thought I was having a fever dream. This event left me thoroughly confused. If this event had to happen, it could have been made more impactful, darker, and more psychologically probing if it had occurred between the two leads. I wonder if that was the original plan, but perhaps the publisher had other ideas. Otherwise, considering the overall themes of same-sex friendship and same-sex desire, this event makes little to no logical sense, especially given the foreshadowed references to suicide/suicide ideation earlier in the novel.

Solstice is a truly captivating and mysterious tale that revolves around the lives of Monica Jensen and Sheila Trask.

Monica, a blond and shy school teacher, has recently gone through a divorce. She is a gentle soul, finding solace in the routine of teaching and the company of her students.

On the other hand, Sheila is a dark, nocturnal, and sophisticated painter of great stature. Driven by the intense needs of her art, she lives a life that is often in the shadows, seeking inspiration and creating masterpieces that speak volumes.

As the months pass by, their friendship begins to deepen. What starts as a simple connection gradually blossoms into love. However, this love soon turns into a near-fatal obsession, as both women find themselves completely consumed by their feelings for each other.

Their differences only seem to fuel the fire, making their relationship all the more passionate and tumultuous. Solstice takes readers on a thrilling journey through the complex emotions and desires of these two women, leaving them on the edge of their seats until the very end.