Rating: 
Summary: We Were the Mulvaneys
Review: I have read several of Joyce Carol Oates' Books and consider her one of my favorite authors. This is my favorite of her books because by the end of reading it I had come to truly love each character. I cared about what happened to them, and I was sad when the book ended. Oates did an amazing job of creating very real-life people with real experiences, and I think the true test of her writing skills is how she impacts the reader. I felt a true connection with her characters. And while she presented a tragedy in the book, she dealt with it tastefully, showing realistically how a family might fall apart and then come together again. I felt her story was one of hope, and I was very uplifted by reading this book. It remains one of my all-time favorite books.
Rating: 
Summary: Emotionally exhausting
Review: This book had me hooked, but by the time I made to the end I was sooo depressed. It wasn't enjoyable to read, but I felt compelled to finish it to find out what happened to this tragic family. Even though the ending was supposed to be uplifting, I couldn't shake the feeling of melancholy that had pervaded the entire book.
Rating:
Summary: Powerful and poignant!
Review: This book kept me enthralled.It really reitterated the fact that our lives really do hang in the balance...and how one choice can impact ourselves & our families forever...changing the course of history in unimaginable ways. Powerful writing.
Rating: 
Summary: EXCELLENT READ
Review: This book was very touching. It captivated me throughout and it kept me at the edge of my seat wanting vendication for "Button" Mulvaney the victim in this story. However, the whole family was victimized by cruelty and shame. This book is about how easily a single event can have catastrophic effects on a family even one that is seemingly close. You will cry, laugh and cry again in this book and the ending will offer some comfort but will leave you with a lasting awe for the strength and fragility of family.
Rating: 
Summary: It's Driving Me Crazy
Review: Too Too flowery. Enough with all the prose; get to the story! I can't see why other people like this book so much. I'm almost half way through and find myself skipping over parts just so I can get to the meat of the story.
Rating:
Summary: Never again...
Review: As an English teacher, I've read several of Oates' novels and have always been disappointed. I had hoped that this experience would be different. Not only is the book too wordy, but the entire story was a disappointment. There are so many other great books out there about dysfunctional families that this one pales by comparison. I can't imagine any family as close as the Mulvaney's are at the beginning of the story reacting to the tragedy like they did, namely Corinne and Michael, Sr. Truly loving parents stand by their children especially after a tragedy like Marianne suffered. The other major complaint I have is that it reads like a Russian novel... every character has at least one nickname and sometimes two! This novel could have been edited down to half its size and still have gotten the message across.
Rating:
Summary: Premise was excellent, but the follow through not developed.
Review: I find Joyce Carol Oates books difficult to read because I know when I start one I am going to be let down in some fashion. Her style is very unique, she is extremely descriptive and is one of the best authors for letting your imagination grasp what the author is describing. The main problem with this story is it flounders over the issues that are suppose to pull you in. Oates writes as though she is trying to keep you in suspense - a major buildup. She alluded to the rape for one half of the book before she gave us any idea of the actual events. When she does clue us in it is still a major dissapointment, she gives us bits and pieces. It is as though Oates wants to continue the suspense and give us the feeling that there is more to come. Only there isn't anything else. That was it. She wasn't going to tell us anymore than what she alluded to. She does this several times in the book, leaving more questions unanswered than answered. The planning of revenge by her brother many years later was another buildup that led to only dissapointment. At least Oates gave us details on what actually took place, there were still a lot of unresolved questions (ie. What happened to the rapist? Did he tell his family? Did he report the incident?). I still enjoy her writing style, it just seems as though she is missing so much potential. It is like she starts with an excellent outline for a plot - but in spite of her excellent writing skills, she is unable to pull it together to give the reader that sense of satisfaction you get when you close a very good book you have just completed.
Rating:
Summary: We Were the Mulvaneys
Review: I waited for years to find the mysterious "slot" in time or space where I could enter one of the Oates' worlds and read her books. I never could get started until about three years ago. They are so varied by setting and character, so compelling in detail and observation of emotions and behavior, and yes even a bit strange sometimes, that it may seem odd to some people that anyone would have trouble reading Oates. ow I'm hooked. I found We Were the Mulvaneys to be one of the best of the 12 or so Oates' books I've read, and also believe it might be -- for some reluctantly-hesitant readers -- a good one to start with. She is a national treasure, and the lives of the Mulvaneys will stick in my mind probably forever.
Rating:
Summary: Go Oates!
Review: I have never read a book by Joyce Carol Oates until this book,and I truly could not put it down! What an excellent read! I am now hooked! I felt as if I was a part of the Mulvaney family - and I ached for them all.
Rating:
Summary: I don't know.....
Review: I think enough people have give a run down of the story so all I'm going give is my opinion. This was a good book, but was very, very difficult to read. The one thing I must say for it was that I really wanted to finish it, and a lot of the times when a book is as hard to read as this one was, I'll just walk away and find something else. The story's good. I can't put my finger on what I didn't like about it. I was always interested, but not passionate about it. Does that make any sense at all? I'd still suggest that people read it, but be prepared for a bumpy ride.
| 
