Rating: 
Summary: Excellence in Writing
Review: Seldom have I felt so much a part of the story as I did with the Mulvaney family. Despite the lengthy prose throughout I felt Joyce Carol Oates wrote from her heart to make the reader feel a part of the story.This book takes us on one family's journey through life and shows the reader how one decision made by Corrine and Mike Mulvaney changed the whole course of their family history. Throughout the story I felt a part of each family member's sadness and joy. I found myself rooting for Marianne and wanting to throw something at big Mike. A book that evoked so much emotion in my mind is a sign of a truly gifted writer.
Rating: 
Summary: Get To The Story Already
Review: I found this book to be very confusing. The author creates to many flash backs and after a while you really don't know what's really happening to any of the characters in the book. I know alot of people love animals and so do I, but did she have to go on and on talking about all the animals, who cares. This could have been a wonderfully told story if the author didn't drag on and on talking abouh nothing. I am still trying to finish the book, even though I am not happy with the book.
Rating: 
Summary: A Good Book, but....
Review: The real test, to me, of whether or not a book is "good" is whether it evokes in me emotion, any kind of emotion--love, hate, fear, horror, disgust, sadness. And so this is a Good Book. Indeed, Oates evoked all of these emotions here. But when a writer does anything to annoy me or take my attention away from the characters, the train of story is broken. I must substract stars because the narrator goes about telling this story as an omniscient presence, being everywhere at once and knowing the minds of every other character in the book. Judd cannot possibly know all the things he tells us. He wasn't there in the rest of the family's most secret thoughts, and yet he relates them to us. If you can forget this, you'll have a good read. If details like this bother you, you'll find the read a little less entertaining.
Rating: 
Summary: HELP! I'M TRAPPED IN THIS BOOK & CAN'T GET OUT!
Review: i've only read a few of oprah's book club books but last month she raved so about this one, i had to read it. like another reviewer said.. why couldn't the author just get to the point! i believe it was page 130 when you FINALLY find out for sure what happen that becomes the pivotal point of the story.i'm hating this book and i'm hating the fact that i'm stuck in it. but i keep reading hoping it will get better. its not and i'm ready to move on. i'm not a quitter but time is too precious for the frustration of "we were the mulvaneys". (i gave 2 stars simply because 1 star seemed petty... so the author gets 2 stars for effort)
Rating: 
Summary: Still worth reading.
Review: I am glad I read the book although it does drag along slowly in some spots. I could not relate to Marianne's mother at all. Any woman who would send away an innocent daughter to placate her drunken sot of a husband is sick in the head. I did think that the book was well written and it gave me much to think about. Like..our family didn't have it so bad.
Rating:
Summary: Infuriating!
Review: What a horrible book. I have to finish any book that I pick up but I almost didn't make it through this one. What was Oprah thinking? I wish I had seen her show when they discussed it because I truly want to find something redeeming. What a waste of time - I could have been reading a good book!
Rating:
Summary: Corinne Mulvaney - not a contender for Mother of the Year!
Review: Although I understand Joyce Carol Oates is a prolific and respected writer, I'll admit I had not read any of her work before "We Were the Mulvaneys" was chosen as Oprah's Book of the Month for January. While she may indeed be one of the great writers of our time, I was very disappointed in this story. At first, I was drawn into the tale of what seems to be a loving family, headed by a strong matriarch, Corinne, and her equally strong husband, Michael. They are obviously devoted to each other and to their four children, Mike Jr., Patrick, Judd and Marianne. Theirs is an idyllic existence until Valentine's Day, 1976, when 16-year-old Marianne becomes a victim of date-rape. This single catastrophic event turns out to be the family's undoing. Michael Sr. is ultimately revealed as the weak link; unable to accept what has happened to his daughter and thus to his entire family, he turns to alcohol. Finally, in a drunken stupor, he confesses to Corinne that he wishes he would never have to lay eyes on their daughter again. Corrine complies and sends Marianne away. Not until several years later, when Michael Sr. is on his deathbed, is Marianne allowed to come home. I don't know which of the parents disappointed me more. I was astounded at how easily Corinne gave in to her husband; no matter how Oates tried to justify Corinne's decision, it simply did not ring true. As a mother, and more to the point a woman, Corinne should have been more supportive of her daughter. It is understandable that the whole family would feel violated by such a reprehensible act, but to allow the father to carry on as though he were the chief victim is unconscionable. Marianne Mulvaney is victimized again and again, first by the rape itself, and then by being disowned by her parents (I hesitate to say she was disowned by her family; her brothers were not part of the decision). Unless one is already a Joyce Carol Oates fan, I would hesitate to recommend "We Were the Mulvaneys." I found it to be a less-than-satisfying read and an unfortunate introduction to her work.
Rating:
Summary: Put it down before finishing
Review: 2/3 through the book and I couldn't stand it any longer! I usually finish a book but it was torture.
Rating:
Summary: Long but ultimately redeeming
Review: I found this book to be difficult reading at times...at times I felt it moved too slowly and like some the other reviewers, I feel it could have been shorter, but the totality of the book is quite wonderful and something that will stay with me for a long time. Ms. Oates writing style is compelling and this novel is certainly one example of her at her best. If it could have been a bit shorter it might have been better; on the other hand it might not have resounded with such shattering impact at the ending.
Rating:
Summary: You don't know what you would do unless it happened to you!
Review: I am glad Oprah chose this book even after it was published in 1996. So many people give this book bad reviews because of what the mother does and how she behaves. I think this book is great because it is more realistic then people think. When something like rape happens to one person the entire family is affected. And no one knows how they would react unless it happens to you! This book takes the reader inside the minds of every family member and reveals the hurt and pain of real life. It isn't a novel where everything works out like a fairy tale. It reminds us that there is no perfect family--we all have trials and everyone will have something so devastating happen to them --something that will knock you to your knees. Do we not? This book is especially moving for those who have had an assault occur to someone in their family. The author is descriptive of the landscape and there are some strong words used at times. Don't let others reviews about the author being long winded turn you off to this book--I think many people today want quick and easy page turners That is what televsion has done--be patient with the author--you will enjoy this book.
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