"Obsessions & Exorcisms in the Works of Joyce Carol Oates"

[dd...@bellsouth.net]

Before I collected these essays into this ebook, https://www.amazon.com/Obsessions-Exorcisms-Joyce-Carol-Oates-ebook/dp/B07KYC7W3K/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1549410788&sr=1-1&keywords=denise+noe

I sent each essay to Oates herself for comment. She made the comment about my being a "sensitive and probing interpreter of literary works" in response to the first essay, "From Masochistic Provocation to Violent Retaliation: The Sex Crime Victim in the Fiction of Joyce Carol Oates."  I'd read much criticism of Oates but had never encountered a critic who focused on the way victim precipitation was highlighted in early works but refuted in her later stories. It also seemed to me that there were other preoccupations that critics did not realize tended to follow through her fiction so I wrote about some of them such as the odd position of impoverished white people in America and the morbidity inherent in sexuality coupled with the power of sexuality to redeem and save.

Since the people at this newsgroup are, I would assume, Joyce Carol Oates fans, I'd love to hear what any of you think of my essays on her.

[Max Alberts]

Hi!

I was lucky enough to work as JCO's teaching assistant way back when in grad school at the U of Windsor. (I'm American.) She treated me like royalty. She was in love with teaching, at which she was absolutely first class.. What I didn't know about her until I met her was that she had a great and sometimes savage sense of humor, but never at the expense of her students. (The university administration was a different story altogether.) Her teaching methods were newer than new. Your insight into her work--the early short stories in particular, and in the novel A GARDEN OF EARTHLY DELIGHTS, are spot-on and reflect her nascent activism.

I'm sure you're aware that she's been able to brush off the mostly male--but some female--critics who wrote early on that her work was "too violent." I would always ask--as compared to whom? Mailer? James Ellroy? Hubert Selby, Jr?

I'll respond more specifically later. I'm home in Minnesota, it's a bitterly cold Saturday evening (I woke to 15 below this morning), but I wanted to write to thank you for your work. You know exactly what authentic literary criticism is and you know how to write it well.  I'm going to turn off my computer, turn on a trashy movie (among which we all have a great deal to choose from) and call it a day.

My very best,

Max Alberts

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[dd...@bellsouth.net]

Since you like my book, would you put a positive review up on amazon.com?

I would deeply appreciate it.

[Max Alberts]

Absolutely!!

[dd...@bellsouth.net]

When do you think you might be able to get that  review up?

I want to look for it when it's there.

[Adva Weinerman]

I would have gladly get this book and review it but I wonder if it is to be found in Kindle which is the only way for me to read books these days.

 

Adva

 

בברכה, אדוה

 

0502-508617

[Jane Ward]

Hi Adva, if you follow the link in Denise Noe's original email, it takes you to Amazon where you can purchase the Kindle version for $1.00.

Denise, I have read through your essays. I want to read them again, and then I will leave a review on Amazon.

Jane Ward

Jane Ward
Peoria, Illinois
http://ecd-observations.blogspot.com/

http://walkwithmepart2.blogspot.com/

[Adva Weinerman]

Thanks so much Jane, I will purchase the book this evening and start reading it and of course will give it 5 stars so others will notice it too.

 

Best, Adva Weinerman

 

בברכה, אדוה

 

0502-508617

[dd...@bellsouth.net]

I can only cross my fingers that your review will be positive.

[dd...@bellsouth.net]

OK, Jane, I have to ask: WILL the review be positive or negative?

On Tuesday, February 12, 2019 at 8:38:29 AM UTC-5, Jane wrote:

[dd...@bellsouth.net]

Did you buy my book?

If so, have you started reading it?

Is it good or lousy?

[Jane Ward]

Definitely positive.  You wrote things that I was thinking as I read her novels. I am not as experienced with her short stories, so I just enjoyed your insights.  I have had a busy week preparing for an event this weekend.  I'll write that review in the morning.

Thanks for sharing your insights into one of my favorite authors.

Jane

[dd...@bellsouth.net]

Thank you for the good review!

[dd...@bellsouth.net]

Hi, Max. Jane put a positive review up. Will I see yours soon? I'm very interested in what you like about my book.

On Saturday, February 9, 2019 at 8:22:13 PM UTC-5, Max Alberts wrote: