tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5040657217275018769.post4889558327904114591..comments2023-11-03T04:28:57.670-05:00Comments on Books and Cooks: Joyce Carol Oates - An Acquired Taste?Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07208766776468157501noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5040657217275018769.post-1234206495550372062009-06-23T11:42:16.637-05:002009-06-23T11:42:16.637-05:00Iliana, I know it is amazing to see how prolific s...Iliana, I know it is amazing to see how prolific she is! Glad to know you've had some positive experiences with her.<br /><br />Petunia, I definitely don't think it was just you!Tarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07208766776468157501noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5040657217275018769.post-84684990724573631282009-06-19T17:19:30.553-05:002009-06-19T17:19:30.553-05:00I listened to the We Were the Mulvaneys audiobook ...I listened to the We Were the Mulvaneys audiobook and I wasn't as impressed as the person who suggested I try JCO out was. I thought maybe it was because it was an audiobook and I had lost something of the greatness of it by merely listening to it. Glad to know it wasn't just me.Petuniahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14059145750315789676noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5040657217275018769.post-65248625947994690222009-06-17T13:05:51.260-05:002009-06-17T13:05:51.260-05:00JCO is a bit of a mix read for me. I will probably...JCO is a bit of a mix read for me. I will probably try to read another of her books at one point but am not in a rush. I did start one that was sort of a gothic, mystery type collection of short stories and the two I read from the book were quite good. I just want to know how she can write so much! :)Ilianahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07026669671843769219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5040657217275018769.post-90658036350260075612009-06-17T10:14:52.404-05:002009-06-17T10:14:52.404-05:00avisannschild, I'm not even sure I've hear...avisannschild, I'm not even sure I've heard of Foxfire! You are certainly right about there more authors out there that are more of a 'sure thing'.<br /><br />Carrie K, we used to be really 'strict' about everyone always finishing the book, but have gotten more lax in the last couple years, with kids, newborn twins, work etc. At this point, it's just nice to get together, you know?<br /><br />Samantha, I don't consider myself a sci-fi fan but for some reason I really like Atwoods sci-fi books, and her others as well. Yes, dinner with girlfriends is always a good thing!<br /><br />Bookplease, I remember that you liked The Gravedigger's daughter! It seems that even with JCO fans, her books are hit or miss. I'm with you on Atwood and Austen.Tarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07208766776468157501noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5040657217275018769.post-668205792632459612009-06-17T00:56:13.141-05:002009-06-17T00:56:13.141-05:00I like some of JCO's books, but not all. I lov...I like some of JCO's books, but not all. I loved Middle Age and liked The Falls and The Gravedigger's Daughter, which is a melodramatic book, dark and disturbing in parts. I didn't like the violence and the short abrupt sentences, but parts of the book moved me to tears.<br /><br />I tried The Female of the Species and hated it. So I think as someone else commented that you have to pick and choose - you won't like or loathe all of her books.<br /><br />AS for Margaret Atwood and Jane Austen I've not found one that I didn't enjoy/love.BooksPleasehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08721650104596705715noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5040657217275018769.post-64747500625780542242009-06-17T00:19:32.263-05:002009-06-17T00:19:32.263-05:00JCO is an author that I have not tried yet - despi...JCO is an author that I have not tried yet - despite having two of her books on my shelves! The stories do sound to be interesting but it wouldn't be the first time I had liked the sound of the story then not the book :-( I don't know when or if I will read them.<br /><br />As to Margaret Atwood, I tend to only read her historical books (which I like very much) and not her science fiction - the latter usually don't interest me whoever writes them!<br /><br />And not to like Emma - but yes, dinner out with girlfriends is always usually nice regardless :-)Samanthahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17747440460896344541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5040657217275018769.post-807885196530055472009-06-16T16:27:57.386-05:002009-06-16T16:27:57.386-05:00I've never actually made it through a JCO book...I've never actually made it through a JCO book so if they get better.......I have no idea. Just not my cup of tea. <br /><br />As for your book club, bah. They didn't all read the book? That drives me crazy. As does expecting the books of a prior century to read like a Sophie Kinsella novel.Carrie Khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15585975894624687972noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5040657217275018769.post-25418197307223865362009-06-16T11:17:57.408-05:002009-06-16T11:17:57.408-05:00Lenore's comment reminded me that the JCO book...Lenore's comment reminded me that the JCO book I read was <i>Foxfire</i>. There is one scene in that book that was very disturbing and seemed completely unnecessary to me (it did nothing to advance the plot). I'm not sure I'll get around to reading anything else by her; there are so many other authors out there!avisannschildhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12486477882148877317noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5040657217275018769.post-90864243084635280192009-06-16T10:08:41.691-05:002009-06-16T10:08:41.691-05:00Memory, it sounds like you've had a similar re...Memory, it sounds like you've had a similar reaction to JCO. Thanks for your comment!<br /><br />bermudaonion, thanks, she was definitely pooped when the day was over. The stress of a new place, new people, I think.<br /><br />Jenny, I think the same, JCO is so prolific, there must be something I'd like! But maybe not. I also love MA!<br /><br />avisannschild, I am a big fan of Atwood myself. I'm just wondering, JCO has written all these books - who is reading them? I have to say I don't see many reviews of her work in the blog world.<br /><br />Staci, it was awfully long - for what it was, that's for sure.<br /><br />Chris, I know, I know. Who can account for taste.<br /><br />adevotedreader, we definitely have divergent tastes, but I like all the people so much, I think I'll stay! We had a nice dinner out anyway! Thanks for the story suggestions.<br /><br />JoAnn, thanks for sharing your history with JCO; The Falls sounds like an intriguing story. My club has realized we've chosen too many really long books this year and need to put a cap on pages next year. <br /><br />Jennysbooks, I happen to love Atwood but my book club has had a very mixed reaction to the books we've read by her, and whenever I mention her here I get a mixed response - in a good way! A more accessible Atwood is Alias, Grace if you're interested.<br /><br />Les, I don't know how dedicated I am...I guess the book was readable enough that I stuck with it. The truth is I started skimming bits toward the end since there seemed that no climactic moment would ever come, it was just more of the same.<br /><br />Carrie, I also like depressing books, but this was a bit much for me.<br /><br />Lenore, oh good, I'm happy to hear from a JCO fan! Thanks for your comment!Tarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07208766776468157501noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5040657217275018769.post-71283363993940010192009-06-16T02:48:39.754-05:002009-06-16T02:48:39.754-05:00I love Margaret Atwood, Emma, and all the JCO I...I love Margaret Atwood, Emma, and all the JCO I've read.<br /><br />I haven't read The Gravedigger's Daughter, and from the sounds of it, it would be one I wouldn't care for terribly either. She's so prolific, you just have to pick the ones that appeal to you I guess. I really liked:<br /><br />Them<br />Blonde<br />Black Water<br />Foxfire: Confessions of a Girl Gang<br />Big Mouth and Ugly Girl<br /><br />As well as a lot of her short stories including "Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?" and "Have you ever slipped on red blood?"<br /><br />Ones I started but couldn't get into:<br /><br />Zombie<br />BellefleurLenore Appelhanshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16664671644163369772noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5040657217275018769.post-85991245267448426552009-06-15T23:12:31.152-05:002009-06-15T23:12:31.152-05:00I've read two of her novels and some short fic...I've read two of her novels and some short fiction, and I've decided that I don't like her work. I know a lot of people think she's brilliant - but I find her too dark and twisted and depressing. I don't mind realistic books, but I don't like books without hope.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5040657217275018769.post-69782279870246270582009-06-15T19:26:21.738-05:002009-06-15T19:26:21.738-05:00I haven't read anything by Oates, but have an ...I haven't read anything by Oates, but have an old ARC of The Falls somewhere on a shelf. Might have to give it a try someday.<br /><br />Atwood is hit-or-miss with me. Even the books I liked weren't great, imho.<br /><br />BTW, I doubt I would've stuck with a 600 page book that wasn't working for me, book club or not. You're dedicated!Leshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08345657431432380804noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5040657217275018769.post-75995775734832807852009-06-15T18:53:52.467-05:002009-06-15T18:53:52.467-05:00I haven't read anything by Joyce Carol Oates, ...I haven't read anything by Joyce Carol Oates, but I'm thrilled to hear that Margaret Atwood is an acquired taste. I hated The Handmaid's Tale and couldn't even finish it, and it was so disappointing for me, because I'd heard such great things about Margaret Atwood. Okay, I feel encouraged to try again now!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5040657217275018769.post-54137503689026329732009-06-15T18:06:04.964-05:002009-06-15T18:06:04.964-05:00We Were the Mulvaneys (for a book club) was my int...We Were the Mulvaneys (for a book club) was my intro to JCO, too. I wasn't wild about it and group reaction was mixed. Later we read Middle Age: A Romance. I liked it quite a bit, as did most of the others. I also liked The Falls on audio. There was another novel I disliked, and can't even remember the name. A collection of short stories was so troubling that I was unable to finish it. So...I've had an uneven experience with JCO. I'd like to read Them (supposedly her most famous) but will wait for the book to find me.<br /><br />Sorry to hear about your group experience with Emma. It's gotten so my group doesn't read anything too long, too hard, too depressing, etc.JoAnnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13691864361197071517noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5040657217275018769.post-73351079842470125482009-06-15T17:53:54.217-05:002009-06-15T17:53:54.217-05:00First things first, I almost think I'd have to...First things first, I almost think I'd have to leave a book club where the majority didn't like (or read) Emma! <br /><br />Re JCO, I do think she's a bit like Atwood in that she writes a lot, and tries different things. So you might loathe one book and love another. I'd try her short stories before giving up on her- The Female of the Species or Wild Nights for example.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5040657217275018769.post-80982768120020834912009-06-15T17:03:32.071-05:002009-06-15T17:03:32.071-05:00Oh no, no one liked Emma?! That's a great Aust...Oh no, no one liked Emma?! That's a great Austen pick.<br /><br />I never read JCO before.Chrisbookaramahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11972547663609480210noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5040657217275018769.post-65428083877694362622009-06-15T14:56:23.026-05:002009-06-15T14:56:23.026-05:00I really enjoyed Mulvaneys but I can't say tha...I really enjoyed Mulvaneys but I can't say that I've read another book by her since then. I've got too many books to read and Grave Digger just doesn't sound that appealing to me, especially the 600 pages!!!Stacihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07600979915661464945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5040657217275018769.post-61327687982886338152009-06-15T13:53:19.159-05:002009-06-15T13:53:19.159-05:00Like Jenny, I've mostly given up on JCO but re...Like Jenny, I've mostly given up on JCO but really like Margaret Atwood (or at least have loved some of her books). I've also only read one JCO book (which I did finish), but I found parts of it hard to stomach (and gratuitous). Sorry, I don't think this comment is very coherent; all this to say, I'm not a fan of JCO and your review of her book doesn't surprise me. I don't really have much desire to acquire a taste for her writing either, although I guess I'd be willing to give her another chance if someone highly recommended a specific book to me.avisannschildhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12486477882148877317noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5040657217275018769.post-70499345297093190362009-06-15T13:09:43.706-05:002009-06-15T13:09:43.706-05:00I tried one of JCO's novels a few years back, ...I tried one of JCO's novels a few years back, and disliked it so much that I quit a third of the way in. I keep thinking I should try again -- she's been so prolific, there must be something I'd like? But so far, no dice. I do love most Margaret Atwood, though. :)Jennyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00251983804060081813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5040657217275018769.post-7086471155639082262009-06-15T12:51:31.075-05:002009-06-15T12:51:31.075-05:00I haven't read any Joyce Carol Oates, so I don...I haven't read any Joyce Carol Oates, so I don't have an opinion about her work. Glad things went well at camp this morning.bermudaonionhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10726401178972099557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5040657217275018769.post-14320909815929639982009-06-15T12:22:03.932-05:002009-06-15T12:22:03.932-05:00I've got to say, I'm not crazy about Joyce...I've got to say, I'm not crazy about Joyce Carol Oates either. I've read one novella and a few pieces of her short fiction, and I just can't find the love. I also find that her narrative style keeps me distanced from the action and unable to commit to any of the characters. I'm rather hesitant to try any of her longer works, since I'm pretty sure I'd end up abandoning them.Memoryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03922151273874989122noreply@blogger.com