The Collector of Hearts: New Tales of the Grotesque

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Summary: Another amazing, disarming short-story collection by Oates!
Review: Those who have followed my reviews know that I love Joyce Carol Oates's writing. Her books are beautifully written and her stories are poignant and haunting at the same time. There is nothing grotesque about The Collector of Hearts, but the stories within this collection are dark, strange, and sometimes downright disarming. This collection, like many of this author's other works, center on broken families and relationships gone awry, and, just like her other books, these stories are at times disturbing and thought provoking to the core. My favorite stories are "Death Mother," "The Sepulchre," "Demon," "Posthumous," "Scars," "The Dream-Catcher," and "Shadows of the Evening." These are my favorites, but there are more incredible stories in this collection. Joyce Carol Oates is one of the best literary voices of today. I urge everyone to read her books if you haven't done. Her books are not for the faint at heart, but for those who enjoy reading strong, dark literature that touch and haunt you in more ways than one.

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Summary: Deluxe gothic escapade
Review: When I picked up this book I thought it would be a great way to pass time. It wasn't. The first two stories were interesting but through each story I had to force myself to read through them. By the middle I put it down Mrs. Oates spends more time trying to gross people out and devolop atmosphere than to actually write an intersting story. Avoid at all costs

Rating:
Summary: GROTESQUELY BORING
Review: When I picked up this book I thought it would be a great way to pass time. It wasn't. The first two stories were interesting but through each story I had to force myself to read through them. By the middle I put it down Mrs. Oates spends more time trying to gross people out and devolop atmosphere than to actually write an intersting story. Avoid at all costs