This video was really helpful! I've gotten more into Oates' books recently because of you, and I love her stories! I think the next ones I'm going to read will be "The Gravedigger's Daughter" and "Blonde".
I know you post this video 4 years ago, but OMG how much i needed this! I really love the way you talk about Joyce Carol Oates, it shows so much admiration and the trully deep love we have for our favorite authors. I am just starting to discover Oates's work and your video and recomendations inspired an motivated me so much that i can't wait to star reading! Thank you, so much.
I haven't ever read any of her books. So, this is a wonderful & valuable resource. Also, I hope that you plan on posting more author spotlight videos. Your insight is so inspirational.
Oh, I just saw your video on Oates's book that was recently published in Ireland, and I now see that it's a short story collection and not a novella. It sounds really fascinating.
For starters, your channel iş the win of the day for me. I was about to start Reading First Love by Oates. Before starting, I wanted to check what is out there on TH-cam and came across your channel. I haven't read any books by her till now, shame on me. Worse than that, I didn't know much about Oates and your video is really enlightning for me. I'll be checking more of her works in my next business trip to US or UK. Thank you so much for this informative video. Greetings from Ankara, Turkey.
Thank you Pinar! That's wonderful to hear. First Love is a fascinating short book. I do hope you enjoy her writing and grow to love it as much as I do.
Hi Eric! What a great informative video. When you read out just how much she's published and as you say the quality, it's really quite amazing. I'm looking forward to reading her new collection of gothic short stories. After reading your review of course! Look forward to seeing you soon. Max x
Just browsing looking for videos on Joyce Carol Oates and found this obviously old now but still helpful. I want to read something by this author as you rave over her so much and because she is such a prolific writer. So many books on so many themes to pick from. Mind I have noticed a lot aren't available on Amazon or my local library. This is disappointing news! Having such a back catalogue of books makes it harder to chose one to start off with. Still undecided but glad I watched this video.
She has such an impressive body of work. I've enjoyed watching a lot of her interviews, and I can't wait to get into her writing. Thank you for these great suggestions!
Some of Oates's novels published under pseudonyms, such as Blood Mask--which you alluded to--are wonderful. I could be wrong, but I believe she published six books in 2021: two short story collections, a collection of novellas, a poetry collection, a novel, and a single-volume novella (published in Ireland). There was a year in the mid-1970s, when Oates published four books. Her many uncollected nonfiction pieces, including book reviews and essays, as well as her uncollected short stories and flash fictions, are often insightful and compelling. I've never seen any of her plays but have read a few of them. They display many of her gifts as a writer. Some of her poems are powerful. Thanks for your videos and interviews highlighting Joyce Carol Oates's body of work!
I started with her journal. I too have a big stack of books I am getting lost in. Her journal is incredible. I read a sentence of Beautiful days in the library, and I’ve been hooked on her work ever since. I haven’t read invisible writer yet, but that’s next on the list.
I recently watched a little bit of her masterclass and I just fell in love with her clarity. But because of other more pressing readings related to work, I did not put much effort into where to start reading her work. Then, now I found one of your more recent videos in which you suggest her journal. I love journals, I did not know she had one published. Now, I found this video. I will follow some of your suggestions. I really like your channel! Great finding in times of home isolation. Thank you for putting the effort to keep through these years,
My pleasure and glad I can point you in the direction of where to start. Feel free to get in touch if you want to discuss her books more. Always happy to chat about JCO!
If you end up enjoying that, I would recommend We Were the Mulvaneys. I just started it and have been enjoying it thoroughly as I delve deeper and deeper into my first Oates book!
I have only read We were the Mulvaneys, and absolutely loved it. I don't know why I haven't read anything else by her. I should change my ways immediately ...
Oh Eric what a treat to have this video about Joyce Carol Oates. Not just a good overview of her novels, but you mentioned INVISIBLE WRITER and her journals. I haven't read the latter. Would you please tell me how frequently she discusses the writing process in this book?
This is so funny that this video just got posted, because I picked up We Were the Mulvaneys yesterday on a whim and have already bought 5 more of her books! I will be sure to a heck out all of these books in the coming months Eric! Keep with the videos, I love them just as much as the blog!
Thanks Wil! I'm so glad you're discovering her writing now & I'll be eager to discuss what you're reading as you go along. :) And thanks for the encouragement!
Great video. I first started reading Joyce Carol Oates and the age of 10 when I snuck into my Auntie's stash of Literary Guild book club books. The book was Solstice. I've read several more titles since, but unfortunately I haven't got through them all. I'm also a rabid Stephen King fan. He's just as prolific, and well, a girl's gotta sleep and work sometime 😂. I will say my favorites by her are The Falls, Black Water, and the life-changing (for me) Missing Mom.
How great you were able to discover her dipping into your Aunt's library! Black Water is such a haunting novella. I wanted to suggest it as well if someone is looking for a shorter book by her. Missing Mom didn't hit me quite as strongly but I bet it will if I read it at a different time in my life. Yes, it's a challenge keeping up with such prolific authors, but great we have so many books to choose from.
Thanks for all the recommendations on your channel. I was just thinking about picking up Oates' A Book of American Martyrs and came across this video about all things Oates! Definitely gonna check out all those books you've mentioned.
Thanks for this on Joyce Carol Oates. She is by far my favorite writer. Some of her books that I would recommend are: "The Rise of Life on Earth," "Faithless," "Black Water," "I'll Take You There," "Heat," and "A Widow's Story." Above all Oates is THE MASTER of the short story.
I've only read 2 of her books: Them and We Were the Mulvanyes. I loved both of them. When she came to Albany a number of years ago, she read her underrated poetry.
Thank you Eric for this I was really amazed by American Martyrs and now will start Gravediggers Daughter. I am astound by her oeuvre. She deserves the Nobel Prize
Eric Karl Anderson you brought her in my life thank you! Did you try Sandor Marai already? This Hungarian author is amazing, try Embers and you want more
I used to own A Bloodsmoor romance, and always wondered if it was in a series. I would start trying to read it, but nothing made sense. I have seen Helene Jeppeson talking quite a bit about Joyce Carol Oates lately. I am interested in reading Blonde and the Gravedigger's daughter. Since I'm a wannabe author, I will probably read her book on writing.
I think you'd really enjoy and get a lot out of The Faith of a Writer. Blonde is on Helene's spring reading list so it's a great time to join in on reading it.
I vaguely remember reading her book, "Them" when I was a young teen, and being very unsettled by it even though I enjoyed it. But I can't remember anything at all about it. Something tells me it was not age appropriate reading. I've toyed with the idea of reading it now as an adult. But I hate the disappointment that often comes when you re-read something you enjoyed when you were a kid, only to find that it does not affect you the same way when you're older.
It is really interesting how as we change how we read the same book changes as well. It can be disappointing, but I've found the reverse can be true as well - finding things you weren't sensitive to before and discovering whole new meaning.
I first started reading her around 2001. The first book I read was Middle Age: A Romance, and of course really loved it. Then I read Bellefleur, which I enjoyed, but then went back to her more current novels( written after Middle Age), and have read up to The Accursed. Am now reading (just started) A Bloodsmoor Romance. I really do not agree that the protagonist of A Gravediggers Daughter, is a strong and capable woman. She lived in a fantasy world, and allowed others, particularly men, to control her, which of course stemmed from her childhood trauma. My only criticism of a really great video. Thanks!
I think it can be looked at from different perspectives. It's been quite a while since I read it, but I guess I meant more that she had the strength to survive and thrive which, of course, entailed a lot of compromise.
Mi problem with Oates is that the first book i red of her was her young adult novel Sexy, and i hated it with passion. I feel attracted by her figure, her being so productive. So recently some people recomended me giving her another chance (this time with an adult novel), so i will try Little bird of heaven next year
I love these kind of videos:) I've only read "A Fair Maiden" by Oates, but I really enjoyed it and I really want to carry on with more of her books. Her bibliography is so vast, that I really couldn't decide what to pick up next, so this video was really helpful :D I think I'll probably be reading "The Gravedigger's Daugther" next. I've also got my eye on "Lovely, Dark, Deep", what did you think of it?
Great to hear! The stories in Lovely, Dark, Deep are fantastic - a really masterful recent story collection by her and totally deserved being shortlisted for the Pulitzer Prize. If you read either that or the Gravedigger's Daughter do let me know what you think of them. :)
thanks for all the information given in this video. I'm from Algeria ,and we are asked to analyse the short story "stripping " by finding its elements of gothic ,I'm sure that you're the only one Who Could help . thanks in advance.
I have just finished my first JCO and am reeling a bit from it’s impact. I chose The Gravedigger’s Daughter as my introduction and whilst I was absolutely not disappointed, I feel it was the wrong place to start because of the early tone of the novel. Here is a link to my review if you are interested. No worries if not. I am just grateful to have been introduced to a new favourite! www.goodreads.com/book/show/1365395.The_Gravedigger_s_Daughter
Great panoramic. I also look forward to her next book and have read (almost) her entire oeuvre... I adore and would definetely recommend "I'll take you there" and her previous (more experimental) works like the Beckett-like, "The triumph of the spider monkey" or "The rise of life on earth", plus the bizarre "co-writing" (Fernandes-Oates) "The poisoned kiss". I guess you meant 2013, publication date of"The accursed"?
+Eric Karl Anderson yes, it's less structured or, better, the narration is more deranged than Zombie's. I'm so happy that we can share this genius' output. Thanks!
Awesome, have you read her other two novels which deal with serial killers at their centre in slightly different ways? The Triumph of the Spider Monkey and Daddy Love?
This video was really helpful! I've gotten more into Oates' books recently because of you, and I love her stories! I think the next ones I'm going to read will be "The Gravedigger's Daughter" and "Blonde".
Thanks for pointing me in this direction! Really helpful!
So glad you enjoyed it! 😊📚
I know you post this video 4 years ago, but OMG how much i needed this! I really love the way you talk about Joyce Carol Oates, it shows so much admiration and the trully deep love we have for our favorite authors.
I am just starting to discover Oates's work and your video and recomendations inspired an motivated me so much that i can't wait to star reading!
Thank you, so much.
That's wonderful to hear! I'm so glad I could help and hope you enjoy reading more of her books. 📚
I haven't ever read any of her books. So, this is a wonderful & valuable resource. Also, I hope that you plan on posting more author spotlight videos. Your insight is so inspirational.
Thank you!
Thanks for this. I've just ordered a stack of Oates' books from the library. What an astonishingly wide-ranging oeuvre she has!
Great! Hope you enjoy them.
Oh, I just saw your video on Oates's book that was recently published in Ireland, and I now see that it's a short story collection and not a novella. It sounds really fascinating.
For starters, your channel iş the win of the day for me. I was about to start Reading First Love by Oates. Before starting, I wanted to check what is out there on TH-cam and came across your channel. I haven't read any books by her till now, shame on me. Worse than that, I didn't know much about Oates and your video is really enlightning for me. I'll be checking more of her works in my next business trip to US or UK. Thank you so much for this informative video. Greetings from Ankara, Turkey.
Thank you Pinar! That's wonderful to hear. First Love is a fascinating short book. I do hope you enjoy her writing and grow to love it as much as I do.
I did enjoy First Love a lot. I read it in one sitting yesterday. Today I ordered Kapilarimi Kapatiyorum (I Lock My Door Upon Myself).
Hi Eric!
What a great informative video. When you read out just how much she's published and as you say the quality, it's really quite amazing. I'm looking forward to reading her new collection of gothic short stories. After reading your review of course! Look forward to seeing you soon.
Max x
Just browsing looking for videos on Joyce Carol Oates and found this obviously old now but still helpful. I want to read something by this author as you rave over her so much and because she is such a prolific writer. So many books on so many themes to pick from. Mind I have noticed a lot aren't available on Amazon or my local library. This is disappointing news! Having such a back catalogue of books makes it harder to chose one to start off with. Still undecided but glad I watched this video.
She has such an impressive body of work. I've enjoyed watching a lot of her interviews, and I can't wait to get into her writing. Thank you for these great suggestions!
She's defo one of my favourite authors. It's nice to know I'm not alone
Glad to hear that, Jason. I feel the same way! :)
Some of Oates's novels published under pseudonyms, such as Blood Mask--which you alluded to--are wonderful. I could be wrong, but I believe she published six books in 2021: two short story collections, a collection of novellas, a poetry collection, a novel, and a single-volume novella (published in Ireland). There was a year in the mid-1970s, when Oates published four books. Her many uncollected nonfiction pieces, including book reviews and essays, as well as her uncollected short stories and flash fictions, are often insightful and compelling. I've never seen any of her plays but have read a few of them. They display many of her gifts as a writer. Some of her poems are powerful. Thanks for your videos and interviews highlighting Joyce Carol Oates's body of work!
This was a great video. I am interested in starting on Oates books, and this video was a perfect place on where and how to start!!
Thank you!
I started with her journal. I too have a big stack of books I am getting lost in. Her journal is incredible. I read a sentence of Beautiful days in the library, and I’ve been hooked on her work ever since. I haven’t read invisible writer yet, but that’s next on the list.
I recently watched a little bit of her masterclass and I just fell in love with her clarity. But because of other more pressing readings related to work, I did not put much effort into where to start reading her work. Then, now I found one of your more recent videos in which you suggest her journal. I love journals, I did not know she had one published. Now, I found this video. I will follow some of your suggestions. I really like your channel! Great finding in times of home isolation. Thank you for putting the effort to keep through these years,
My pleasure and glad I can point you in the direction of where to start. Feel free to get in touch if you want to discuss her books more. Always happy to chat about JCO!
Thank you thank you thank you! "The Gravedigger's Daughter" is officially high up on my reading list.
If you end up enjoying that, I would recommend We Were the Mulvaneys. I just started it and have been enjoying it thoroughly as I delve deeper and deeper into my first Oates book!
I have only read We were the Mulvaneys, and absolutely loved it. I don't know why I haven't read anything else by her. I should change my ways immediately ...
Oh Eric what a treat to have this video about Joyce Carol Oates. Not just a good overview of her novels, but you mentioned INVISIBLE WRITER and her journals. I haven't read the latter. Would you please tell me how frequently she discusses the writing process in this book?
This is so funny that this video just got posted, because I picked up We Were the Mulvaneys yesterday on a whim and have already bought 5 more of her books! I will be sure to a heck out all of these books in the coming months Eric! Keep with the videos, I love them just as much as the blog!
Thanks Wil! I'm so glad you're discovering her writing now & I'll be eager to discuss what you're reading as you go along. :) And thanks for the encouragement!
Great video. I first started reading Joyce Carol Oates and the age of 10 when I snuck into my Auntie's stash of Literary Guild book club books. The book was Solstice. I've read several more titles since, but unfortunately I haven't got through them all. I'm also a rabid Stephen King fan. He's just as prolific, and well, a girl's gotta sleep and work sometime 😂. I will say my favorites by her are The Falls, Black Water, and the life-changing (for me) Missing Mom.
How great you were able to discover her dipping into your Aunt's library! Black Water is such a haunting novella. I wanted to suggest it as well if someone is looking for a shorter book by her. Missing Mom didn't hit me quite as strongly but I bet it will if I read it at a different time in my life. Yes, it's a challenge keeping up with such prolific authors, but great we have so many books to choose from.
Thanks for all the recommendations on your channel. I was just thinking about picking up Oates' A Book of American Martyrs and came across this video about all things Oates! Definitely gonna check out all those books you've mentioned.
That's so good to hear! Hope you enjoy her writing, Owen.
@Eric Karl Anderson: Heat and Will you always love Me? are my favorites.
I am trying to find them in audiobook format.
Lovely video. Lovely writer! Thank you for introducing us to her.JCO is my favourite author too.
Thank you, you have really made me want to read JCO and I ordered several of her books.
There's a short story called The Molesters by her which i haven't been able to find in any short story anthologies. Any ideas?
Oh I love this look back at early Lonesome Reader!
Great video. Nice to see The Accursed mentioned. My personal favorite is her novel You Must Remember This.
Yes, that is such a strong novel both for the political backdrop and its depiction of families.
Thanks for this on Joyce Carol Oates. She is by far my favorite writer. Some of her books that I would recommend are: "The Rise of Life on Earth," "Faithless," "Black Water," "I'll Take You There," "Heat," and "A Widow's Story." Above all Oates is THE MASTER of the short story.
I just met her today in Chicago!!! Now I have a lot of reading to do :)
She does have a massive back catalogue to choose from - but just pick one that takes your fancy and see what it leads on to. 😄
Excellent work sir
I picked up The Gravedigger's Daughter, and Bellefleur this weekend. I am really excited to get started!
That's great, Scott! I hope you enjoy them and do let me know what you think when you get to reading them.
Eric Karl Anderson I sure will. Thank you for making the video. It was such a big help to me.
JCO is one of my favourites and I haven't read any of the ones you list here. It's given me a good idea of what to go for next though.
So glad I could suggest some you've not read! What are some of your favourite titles by Oates?
I've only read 2 of her books: Them and We Were the Mulvanyes. I loved both of them. When she came to Albany a number of years ago, she read her underrated poetry.
Great! Some of her poems are so haunting.
Thank you Eric for this I was really amazed by American Martyrs and now will start Gravediggers Daughter. I am astound by her oeuvre. She deserves the Nobel Prize
I'm so glad reading Martyrs has made you want to read more & hope you enjoy Gravedigger's Daughter. And I agree, she totally deserves the Nobel!
Eric Karl Anderson you brought her in my life thank you! Did you try Sandor Marai already? This Hungarian author is amazing, try Embers and you want more
I assumed she already won it.😮
I used to own A Bloodsmoor romance, and always wondered if it was in a series. I would start trying to read it, but nothing made sense. I have seen Helene Jeppeson talking quite a bit about Joyce Carol Oates lately. I am interested in reading Blonde and the Gravedigger's daughter. Since I'm a wannabe author, I will probably read her book on writing.
I think you'd really enjoy and get a lot out of The Faith of a Writer. Blonde is on Helene's spring reading list so it's a great time to join in on reading it.
She Attended Rice University @ Houston Texas
I vaguely remember reading her book, "Them" when I was a young teen, and being very unsettled by it even though I enjoyed it. But I can't remember anything at all about it. Something tells me it was not age appropriate reading.
I've toyed with the idea of reading it now as an adult. But I hate the disappointment that often comes when you re-read something you enjoyed when you were a kid, only to find that it does not affect you the same way when you're older.
It is really interesting how as we change how we read the same book changes as well. It can be disappointing, but I've found the reverse can be true as well - finding things you weren't sensitive to before and discovering whole new meaning.
I first started reading her around 2001. The first book I read was Middle Age: A Romance, and of course really loved it. Then I read Bellefleur, which I enjoyed, but then went back to her more current novels( written after Middle Age), and have read up to The Accursed. Am now reading (just started) A Bloodsmoor Romance. I really do not agree that the protagonist of A Gravediggers Daughter, is a strong and capable woman. She lived in a fantasy world, and allowed others, particularly men, to control her, which of course stemmed from her childhood trauma. My only criticism of a really great video. Thanks!
I think it can be looked at from different perspectives. It's been quite a while since I read it, but I guess I meant more that she had the strength to survive and thrive which, of course, entailed a lot of compromise.
Agree. The inventions and compromises were her way of survival, and it was truthful in its portrayal of how people cope with trauma.
Mi problem with Oates is that the first book i red of her was her young adult novel Sexy, and i hated it with passion.
I feel attracted by her figure, her being so productive. So recently some people recomended me giving her another chance (this time with an adult novel), so i will try Little bird of heaven next year
what about A Garden of Earthly Delights? Did you enjoy it?
I love these kind of videos:) I've only read "A Fair Maiden" by Oates, but I really enjoyed it and I really want to carry on with more of her books. Her bibliography is so vast, that I really couldn't decide what to pick up next, so this video was really helpful :D
I think I'll probably be reading "The Gravedigger's Daugther" next. I've also got my eye on "Lovely, Dark, Deep", what did you think of it?
Great to hear! The stories in Lovely, Dark, Deep are fantastic - a really masterful recent story collection by her and totally deserved being shortlisted for the Pulitzer Prize. If you read either that or the Gravedigger's Daughter do let me know what you think of them. :)
yes, they're great. A fave gothic, though, is "first love" (not part of the series)
First Love is a perfect short gothic story and really haunting.
thanks for all the information given in this video.
I'm from Algeria ,and we are asked to analyse the short story "stripping " by finding its elements of gothic ,I'm sure that you're the only one Who Could help . thanks in advance.
I have just finished my first JCO and am reeling a bit from it’s impact. I chose The Gravedigger’s Daughter as my introduction and whilst I was absolutely not disappointed, I feel it was the wrong place to start because of the early tone of the novel. Here is a link to my review if you are interested. No worries if not. I am just grateful to have been introduced to a new favourite! www.goodreads.com/book/show/1365395.The_Gravedigger_s_Daughter
Sorry I asked the question before watching this!
No need to apologise! I love discussing where to start with people who’ve not read her before.
Great panoramic. I also look forward to her next book and have read (almost) her entire oeuvre... I adore and would definetely recommend "I'll take you there" and her previous (more experimental) works like the Beckett-like, "The triumph of the spider monkey" or "The rise of life on earth", plus the bizarre "co-writing" (Fernandes-Oates) "The poisoned kiss". I guess you meant 2013, publication date of"The accursed"?
+Eric Karl Anderson yes, it's less structured or, better, the narration is more deranged than Zombie's. I'm so happy that we can share this genius' output. Thanks!
Yes, her early more eccentric novels/Fernandes stories are so interesting. Have you read the whole gothic quintet novels?
Daddy love. The corn maiden.
Zombie is my favorite. Faithless: tales of transgression, second.
Awesome, have you read her other two novels which deal with serial killers at their centre in slightly different ways? The Triumph of the Spider Monkey and Daddy Love?
I heard Joyce Carol Oates and vocally, she sounds almost like Margaret Atwood. Wild, huh?