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Sourland (2010)

by Joyce Carol Oates(Favorite Author)
3.38 of 5 Votes: 5
ISBN
0061996521 (ISBN13: 9780061996528)
languge
English
genre
publisher
Ecco
review 1: Short stories that mingles violence and desire while examining the meaning of loss with her usual take on the dark sides of relationships. Typical Oates. Now in her 70’s she is still, for me, as hard to read as ever. I’ve always been unsettled and still exhilarated by her work. She always leaves me exhausted but yet still interested in her intensely (and embarrassing) truthful take on what makes women tick. Most of the stories in this book are on women who have just become widows and in their loneliness and survival guilt become involved with brutish men. Yet, far from being innocent victims, her women may be vulnerable but are somehow manipulating their own punishing fates. Two stories in this book, “The Amputee” and “Sourland” had me cringing. But she i... mores such a damn good writer I couldn’t put the book down.
review 2: I just can't stop reading JCO. These 16 stories were written after her husband of many years died suddenly and unexpectedly, and you can feel her experience in many of the stories, especially Pumpkin-Head, Probate, and Sourland. Not cheerful or uplifting, but so real and interesting. (Not that the plots of the stories are drawn from her own life, but the feelings of disorientation, loneliness, and fear clearly are). The stories stay with you and give you plenty to think about. Not for everyone, but if you don't mind the dark themes, well worth reading. less
Reviews (see all)
pipa
More like 2.5 stars... Listened to this over the holidays while in the car...
original
It's JCO. Of course I'm rating it five stars!
Krissie
genius
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