Book Review- Joyce Carol Oates' The Doll-Master and Other Tales of Terror

Thank You to Grove Atlantic for providing me with an advanced copy of Joyce Carol Oates' The Doll-Master and Other Tales of Terror, in exchange for an honest review.

PLOT- The Doll-Master and Other Tales of Terror is a six-story collection from acclaimed writer Joyce Carol Oates.

LIKE- I'm a mega-huge fan of Joyce Carol Oates and I was absolutely thrilled to received an advanced copy of The Doll-Master and Other Tales of Terror. Honestly, I wasn't quite sure what type of stories to expect. "Tales of Terror" is so different than the type of stories that I'm used to reading from Oates. They were a refreshing and delightful change from her usual stories. Is there anything Oates can't write? She's so talented.

A common link with many of the stories is a focus on psychological torment, specifically the protagonist feeling burdened by perceived ( sometimes real) terror. The characters are tormented by their own worldview and perhaps their own proclivities, which they project on those around them. The stories all have a creepy, looming danger tone.

My favorite story was Gun Accident, where an adult narrator recalls a terrible accident that happened when she was a teenager housesitting for her favorite teacher. It's so filled with suspense, that my heart was racing during the entire read. I could not put it down.

I also enjoyed the dark humor in Mystery Inc, the story of a bookstore owner who goes around killing the competition.

DISLIKE- Equatorial, the story of a couple on a cruise didn't hold my interest. It ran long and just when it would grab my attention, just as quick, my attention would drift.

RECOMMEND- Yes. If you're a fan of Oates, this is a must. If you're not familiar with her stories, this short collection is a fine place to start. 

Book Review- Chris Cleave's Everyone Brave is Forgiven

Thank You to Simon & Schuster for providing me with an advanced copy of Chris Cleave's latest novel, Everyone Brave is Forgiven, in exchange for an honest review.

PLOT - Set in England during WW2, Everyone Brave is Forgiven, follows the lives of four young adults irreversibly changed by their experiences during the war. Alastair restores art at the Tate, but gives up his job to fight. His best friend, Tom, an education administrator, is kept off the battlefield as his profession is seen as vital to the home front. Upper class Mary, joins the war effort as a teacher and is assigned to teach the children who have been left in London; children who are mostly poor, disabled, or non-white. Mary's socialite friend, Hilda, volunteers for the war effort as an ambulance nurse, a dangerous job. In the middle of their war duties, a love triangle between Mary, Tom, and Alastair, leaves Hilda on the sidelines, creating a mounting tension between the foursome. With love and lives in peril, can anyone emerge undamaged?

LIKE- I was absolutely thrilled when Simon & Schuster approved me for an advanced copy of Everyone Brave is Forgiven. I loved Cleaves' other novels and I'm a huge fan. My expectations were sky-high. That out of the way....

Cleave has a knack for creating characters with huge flaws and impossible dilemmas. He also has a knack at writing unexpected story twists. I never quite know where his story is going to take me, but I can be sure, that it isn't going to be what I'm expecting. This held true in Everyone Brave is Forgiven. There were plenty of gut-punch moments. I cared about his characters, so when these moments came, I was in synch with the story and felt the emotions.

I liked the setting of WW2 England. I can't remember reading a story with such an emphasis on London during the war and on the people left in the city, especially the children. The imagery in the story is haunting, especially the very last scene. 

DISLIKE- As much as I wanted to love this novel, I kept putting it down. It took me two weeks to read, with other books sandwiched in between. It simply failed to hold my interest.

After a few days of consideration, I think the reason that it didn't catch me, was the pacing and tone shifts. They were uneven. Many times, I found myself taking note at a sudden, unexpected change (different from Cleave's masterful twists), a change that felt out of the blue, one that didn't add up. I don't have specific examples, but this happened several times during my reading. I was very aware of it. It seemed like some of the sections were rough. Perhaps this is due to it being an advanced copy? 

RECOMMEND- Maybe. Cleave is a fabulous writer and excellent storyteller, but this is not his strongest novel. If you're a fan, read Everyone Brave is Forgiven. If this is your first time picking up a Cleave novel, maybe start with a different one, like Little Bee. 

Book Review - James Hannah's The A-Z of You and Me

Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark for providing me with an advanced copy of James Hannah's novel, The A-Z of You and Me, in exchange for an honest review.

PLOT - Ivo is only in his early 40's, yet his life is coming to an end. As he spends his last weeks in a hospice, a nurse gives him a game to play: he must recall memories with associated body parts for each letter of the alphabet. Beginning with "A", Ivo recalls a childhood memory involving an Adam's Apple. Ivo remembers his life, love, and regrets, as his pain medication makes his mind increasingly foggy, and he succumbs to his disease.

LIKE- I like the concept of The A-Z of You and Me. The idea of connecting body parts to recalled memories, generates compelling stories and it provides an interesting framework for the novel. The book deals with Ivo's relationships and often poor choices with regard to friends and experiences. To that end, the story is filled with memorable secondary characters; people that you wouldn't want to know in real life, but make for a good story. There is a very sweet memory involving knitted hearts hung in trees in the middle of the night. It's magical and cinematic. 

DISLIKE- I just didn't connect with Ivo, which is a huge problem. He's definitely a character that has made some bad choices, but he's still the protagonist, and I felt that I should be rooting for him. It's clear that his health isn't going to improve, but I wanted to care about his final decisions to make peace with his past.  I felt indifference towards Ivo, which is almost worse than disliking a character. I can't quite pinpoint the issue causing my indifference, possibly character voice? 

RECOMMEND- No. Ultimately my disconnect from Ivo makes Hannah's debut novel a no-go as far as recommending it. Although, if Hannah's second novel catches my interest, I'd give him a second chance as a writer. The A-Z of You and Me isn't terrible, it just didn't have the emotional impact that I anticipating.