This novel delves into the evolution of a relationship between two women, which is not of a sexual nature.

The book jacket provides the Webster's definition of solstice as "the furthest point, turning point, or point of culmination". In this context, I believe it can also serve as a commentary on one woman's conviction that she is the more rational of the two friends. It's analogous to an observer of the sun after the solstice, who believes the sun has begun to move in the opposite direction.

On the page preceding the Contents, Oates included Emily Dickinson's poem that commences with "After great pain, a formal feeling comes -". I have a fondness for this poem and consider it fitting for this novel.

The book was published in 1984.

This story seems to offer a complex exploration of female friendship and the various perspectives and beliefs that can shape it. The use of the solstice as a metaphor and the inclusion of Dickinson's poem add depth and layers of meaning to the narrative. It makes one wonder how the relationship between the two women will unfold and what challenges and turning points they will encounter along the way.

This was like a palate cleanser after reading Winterthurn.

It was a tight, psychological study of personality and female friendship. The story delved deep into the complex emotions and relationships between the characters.

We were able to witness how their personalities interacted and clashed, creating a web of drama and intrigue.

The author's writing style was engaging and descriptive, allowing us to vividly imagine the scenes and the characters' expressions.

It was a refreshing read that made us think about the nature of friendship and how it can be both a source of joy and pain.

Overall, it was a captivating and thought-provoking piece of literature that left a lasting impression on the reader.

The original article is not provided, so I can't rewrite and expand it specifically. However, I can give you a general example of how to expand an article to about 300 words.

Let's assume the original article is: "The dog is running in the park. It looks happy."

Expanded version:

The adorable dog is joyfully running in the park. Its tail is wagging vigorously, as if it is expressing its pure happiness. The dog's eyes are shining with excitement, and it seems to be enjoying every moment of this freedom. The green grass beneath its paws provides a soft and comfortable surface for it to run on. The gentle breeze blows through its fur, making it feel even more refreshed. It chases after the butterflies and plays with the other dogs in the park. This simple scene of the dog running in the park brings a smile to everyone's face and reminds us of the beauty and innocence of nature.

You can provide the original article, and I will help you rewrite and expand it according to your requirements.

An engaging, albeit perhaps a touch light, exploration of co-dependence. Some might be put off by its lack of a traditional plot. However, it is what one would term a character study, and a rather good one at that. I found the friendship portrayed to be highly believable. This is because I understand how such relationships can unfold. The demanding and brilliant individual frequently requires the support of someone like Monica. Meanwhile, the dull one craves the excitement that the more vibrant one can bring to their life. In this regard, it feels very real. Nevertheless, I do think that the matter of Monica's sickness was resolved a bit too hastily towards the end. It may not be a major opus in the vein of Oates' more renowned works, but it is still a nice read that offers some interesting insights into the complex nature of human relationships and co-dependence.

Between two unequal women, the eccentric, widowed painter Sheila and the charming, newly divorced teacher Monica, there exists an intense friendship that soon reveals itself to the reader as an addiction. Monica takes on the role of the available listener and follower for the dominant Sheila, but also needs her attention as validation and an enhancement of herself. The unhealthy entanglement of the two is the main theme of the novel, which is set in a rural environment in the early 1980s, as indicated by the descriptions of the clothing. (Subthemes: visual art, affective disorder, small-town life)

Joyce presents this toxic female friendship in an understandable way, although she makes the explanation of the exact origin of this very simple (after a first not very pleasant meeting, the two women meet by chance in the town and from then on they are closely connected). Perhaps an identification with Monica works better among the American readership, a society that attaches great importance to form and a conforming, form-preserving appearance. Both characters remained emotionally distant to me, although I am quite familiar with the theme itself. A good book on the theme of (complicated) friendship.

Edit hours after finishing: Ok, WOW! There's a lot to unpack here! This book was a ride - one that was genuinely exciting and enjoyable. However, it definitely ends in a way that makes you feel like you've just gotten off a wild rollercoaster and might be throwing up. All that being said, Joyce Carol Oates' writing was truly beautiful and hypnotic. The imagery she used was so vivid that it made me feel as if I were actually on a winding road in rural Pennsylvania. I guess you could say that this book is like a winding rural road in Pennsylvania, and I'm the one who's car sick!

Ratings this was also very tough because the ending was so unsatisfying for me. But overall, I'd give it a 3.75.

Two bros, chilling in a hot tub. Five feet apart 'cause they're not gay.

In all seriousness, this book truly captivated me. It took not one, not two, but three renewals from the library for me to finally finish it. And let me tell you, holy cow, I was determined to see it through to the end. The relationship between the two women in the book was a complex web of emotions. It was tumultuous, with highs and lows that kept me on the edge of my seat. Their connection felt raw and unfiltered, as if I was peeking into their most private moments. It was also destructive, with each woman seemingly pulling the other down. And yet, there was a hint of envy in their relationship too. You couldn't help but feel bad for them, for the choices they made and the pain they endured.

And I'm not just saying this because my friend and I had a screaming match at a gathering that eerily resembled a scene from this book. That incident only added to my understanding and appreciation of the complex dynamics between the characters. It made me realize that relationships, whether fictional or real, are often messy and full of contradictions. This book truly brought that to life in a way that I won't soon forget.

At its core, this is a truly dizzying tale. It delves into the fraught and destructive relationship between two solipsistic women. The labyrinthine narrative follows characters who are deeply mired in their own ambivalence. Until her divorce, Monica Jensen was comfortable as the confident 'blonde', the school's 'golden girl'. But as a divorcee, she throws herself into her new teaching job. By chance, she meets her neighbour, the famous artist and recently widowed Sheila Trask. Monica is drawn to Sheila's mercurial personality, her reputation, and her art. Their relationship is hard to define and from the start, it's clear it's something more than just friendship or romance. Monica is both attracted and repulsed by her obsession with Sheila. They constantly push each other's boundaries and seem to be in perpetual conflict, vying for the 'upper hand' without really knowing why. In spite of their different temperaments, they are both single and lack close friends or family. Unmoored, they try to assert their identity through their intense bond, which often leads to a struggle for power. Part of me wished they could have explored their relationship more deeply. The dense and laborious prose examines Monica's psyche in excruciating detail. Sheila remains a mystery but is just as complex. The story is not a traditional one but rather a convoluted depiction of the often perplexing bond between the two women. I enjoyed how they change each other and the focus on just the two of them. I also appreciated the role of art in the book. However, the last part let me down. A series of dramatic events happen too quickly and the ending left me wanting more.

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3.5 stars

Women with a love-hate codependent relationship for each other with subtle romantic undertones? Count me in!

Such relationships are truly captivating. The complex mix of love and hate creates a dynamic that is both intense and alluring. The codependency adds an extra layer of depth, as the women rely on each other in ways that are both necessary and perhaps a bit unhealthy. The subtle romantic undertones hint at something more, a hidden passion that simmers just beneath the surface. It's a relationship that is full of drama and excitement, with every interaction filled with anticipation. I can't help but be drawn to the idea of exploring such a relationship, of delving into the emotions and experiences that come with it. There's something about the combination of love, hate, codependency, and romance that makes it impossible to resist.

The friendship between Monica and Sheila is truly remarkable. It has a certain allure that reminds me more than a little bit of the Betty/Rita relationship in the film Mulholland Drive.

This story is not for those who solely rely on a traditional, plot-driven narrative to be engaged. However, for me, it had an immediate and captivating effect. From the very start, I was completely hooked.

The dynamics between Monica and Sheila are complex and充满了微妙之处. Their connection seems to transcend the ordinary, much like the mysterious bond shared by Betty and Rita in the movie.

As I delved deeper into their story, I found myself becoming more and more invested in their friendship and the events that unfolded around them.

It's a unique and engaging tale that offers a different kind of reading experience, one that I thoroughly enjoyed.

This was my beach reading.

However, I am still not entirely certain what the book was truly about.

It was well-written, with a certain elegance and fluidity in the prose.

But as I read on, I felt that it really didn't seem to progress or reach a satisfying conclusion.

There was definitely a lesbian subtext present, which could have added an interesting layer to the story.

Yet, it was not fully explored, leaving me with a sense of unfulfilled potential.

Moreover, there was a horrific rape scene that was merely written about in passing, as if it was an afterthought.

This lack of proper attention to such a significant and disturbing event detracted from the overall impact of the book.

Despite these flaws, the characters' emotions were very complex and well-portrayed.

The author managed to capture the nuances and contradictions of human nature, making the characters feel real and relatable.

Overall, while the book had its strengths, it also had several weaknesses that prevented it from being a truly great read.

The printed line, after all, is so orderly and chaste.

It is chronologically determined, which means that the reader is obliged to read line by line, page by page, in sequence.

This is very unlike the visual image.

The visual image assaults the eye out of nowhere, so to speak.

It comes with no preparation and has no power over the viewer to demand from him more than a moment's casual contemplation.

The printed line, with its strict order and sequence, requires the reader to engage in a more deliberate and methodical process of reading.

It forces the reader to follow a specific path and absorb the information in a linear fashion.

In contrast, the visual image can be more immediate and impactful, but it also lacks the structure and discipline of the printed line.

Each has its own unique characteristics and effects on the reader or viewer.