Review: We Were The Mulvaneys by Joyce Carol Oates
by Jenners • 07/10/2010 • 3.5 Stars, Fiction, Literary, O Authors, W Titles • 23 Comments
A meme concept by That’s A Novel Idea
1 book I read―We Were The Mulvaneys by Joyce Carol Oates
2 words that describe the book―Family implosion
3 setting where the book took place or characters I met
- Setting: Mt. Ephraim, New York, with the story spanning from 1976 until 1999
- Marianne Mulvaney is the only daughter in the big boisterous Mulvaney family. Religious and sensitive, Marinanne is a pretty and popular girl who is fond of her three brothers, a good daughter to her mother, and beloved by her father. When something bad happens to Marianne after a Valentine’s Day dance, the repercussions tear the family apart and thrust Marianne out into the the big, cold world with only her faith and the love for her family to keep her whole.
- Judd Mulvaney is the youngest of the Mulvaney boys. Only a small child when events tear his family asunder, Judd attempts to make his family whole again by telling the Mulvaney family history and bringing the love that they have kept hidden back out into the open.
4 things I liked or disliked about the book
- I liked all the little details of family life that Oates brings into the story―from the family bulletin board in the kitchen to the way the family uses the main staircase. These details brought the book alive and made it feel authentic and real.
- I liked how Oates takes her time telling the story of the Mulvaney family. The family is split apart so completely that bridging the chasms that have grown up between them would have to take place slowly and gradually. Oates handles this story of family forgiveness and division delicately and realistically, with all the steps forward and backward such a reconciliation would take.
- I liked how Oates created the feel and personality of a small town, where everyone knows everyone’s business and you are defined by your place within the community, who your siblings are, and where your home is located. Just like in Richard Russo’s Empire Falls, the town of Mt. Ephraim becomes a presence in the book.
- I disliked how Oates chose to have Judd be the all-knowing narrator of the book, including having a little disclaimer about how he would know the inner workings of everyone’s experiences and minds. I just didn’t think this device was needed and was a bit distracting. It seemed to me the book would have worked just as well (if not better) with a multiple narrator format. In addition, every so often there would be this jarring use of exclamation points, which started to really get under my skin.
5 stars or less for my rating:
I’m giving the book 3.5 stars (saw flashes of genius but didn’t work for me). I wanted to like this book so much more than I did. I often felt like the story was plodding along. Although I give Oates credit for writing a realistic portrayal of family life and reconciliation, I found myself getting antsy at the mid-point of the book. Plus it bothered me that we’d spend a long time with some of the characters, and then they’d just disappear for extended periods. This was my first Joyce Carol Oates book, and I don’t know how representative it is of her writing. I know she is revered as An Important Author, but I just didn’t get drawn into this book as I thought I might. However, if you like realistic portrayals of family life and love (with all its shades and nuances), this book might be very rewarding for you.
The Whys and Wheres: I got this book at a library book sale last year because I signed up for the Awesome Authors challenge and felt I should read a Joyce Carol Oates book at some point in my life. Based on this book, I don’t think I would add Oates to my list of favorite authors, but I know she has written a gazillion books so I should probably give her another try before passing final judgment. Any suggestions from Oates fans out there?
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I must be in the minority because I really liked this book. I don't remember all the details, since I read it years ago, though. However, I think if I re-read it, Judd as the "all knowing" narrator probably would bug me.
I didn't like The Gravedigger's Daughter, but I did like Rape: A Love Story. I might have read another Oates book ages ago, but I can't remember right now.
I have an Oates book on my shelves for the very same reason you picked this one up. It's so big I haven't had the heart to pick it up yet!
I've been meaning to read this forever. Thanks for the review. I read her book Black Water earlier this year and it was really good!
This is when I stop to admit that I remember Oprah recommending this book and it was enough to scare me away for a while. I have discovered that most of the books she recommends (at least the ones that I've tried to read) are depressing.
I do own a Joyce Carol Oates book called "After the Wreck, I Picked Myself Up, Spread My Wings, and Flew Away." It's a YA book, and the plot looked interesting to me. I haven't read it yet though, so I can't really give a recommendation one way or the other.
I tried to read this a few years back and stopped-i just couldn't get into it. Now I know I don't really ever need to try again.
I hate it when I don't like a book that I thought I was going to love! Sorry it wasn't as good as you thought!
I went to town today to get groceries and the sign on the library said "Book Sale Fri. & Sat. 9-3". It was 4:30…I'm still sad.
I love Oates work but it is very eclectic so it is hard to recommend one. I thought Rape: A Love Story was very powerful. Oates is not for everyone
Dang, I know I read this one, but it's been so many years ago that I can't even remember if I liked it or not. Must not have evoked that much out of me if I can't even remember, eh?
Seems like I've read one of her books in the past, but I can't think which one. That either means it didn't make much of an impression on me or that it's still buried someone in my TBR pile!
I confess I've never read any of Joyce Carol Oates' books. Something about them doesn't seem to appeal although your review is tempting me to try something.
Thank you for your honest review!!! Would you believe I've had this book sitting on my nightstand for over 8 months but then got caught up in my blog and found so many other books to read ahead of it. I picked my copy up at the used book store. I love how you Oates "An Important Author"…..I don't get how some of the authors receive that title. There's so many others who are way more worthy. This one, I may just have to put in my collection of books for MY bookstore and read all those other books that really grab my attention. Thank you for your really great review!
Well. I think I saw this movie ages ago, and was pondering the possibility of reading the book for a movie/book thingy. Guess I won't. C.B. James and I are looking to find the perfect choice to do our book/movie double review thingy for BBAW this year (last year we did Blindness). So far we haven't found the right one.
I still haven't read any Oates, but this will probably be my first. Sorry that it didn't quite work for you, but I'm still curious and will probably get round to it later this year.
I thought it sounded interesting but I don't like 'dark' just for being dark. Not sure if I have read any of her books before or not…
My impression of Joyce Carol Oates is that a lot of her work is depressing. So I have tended to avoid her work.
I am glad to read this review!
I also purchased this book at a library sale a while ago in the attempt to read JCO for the first time. I have yet to read it.
My expectations were incredibly high, as I know she is deemed a worthy author by many, but I am glad that you have now tempered those expectations.
I know I should try some of Oates work, but I'm intimidated by it for some reason.
I read this years ago too and also watched the movie- can't remember being enamoured of either. FOr a while, I did read other Oates books but then just gave up on her. Sorry this one didn't do it for you. Hopefully this week, you'll hit pay dirt. Have a great week and happy reading. Stay cool!
I read this ages ago so I don't remember too much except that it was rather dark (of course it was, Oprah picked it for her bookclub!!!).
I do remember I liked the writing. (but I like Russo more.)
Sadly, no SM5 for me this week. I've spent most of my free time reading review books. Tons of them lately and I'm liking them all!
I can see how a narrator like that would distance me from the story too, but I still wonder if this would work for me. Like J.T., I've been meaning to read it for ages. I've only read two of Oates' books to date, and the thing I noticed is that she's incredibly versatile. So don't be discouraged from trying her again.
I've been meaning to read this book for ever! Sorry it didn't do it for you.
Sorry it didn't work for you. Do you feel like you wasted your time?