This was my very first book by Joyce Carol Oates, one of the most prolific modern American writers around. I really enjoy her writing style, as I really enjoy modern fiction in general. Her prose is elegant, witty, and filled with detail (though sometimes too much).
We Were the Mulvaneys is about a family everyone is jealous of: the kids are cute, the parents love each other, and they have lots of horses on a big farm. But then, a tragedy befalls the daughter and all hell breaks loose. The family falls apart, but eventually rises again. I felt some parts of the story were excessive in detail, while other parts were glazed over; nonetheless, there are some great observations throughout the book about family life.
I first heard about Joyce Carol Oates from a short story of hers I read in a fiction class (still looking for it). Her work is very modern and unique in style. I hope to read more of her books, though I haven't a clue where to begin, considering she's written over fifty novels.
This is one of those books that reminds you how important family is and how big of an influence it can be. If you don't like your family very much right now, perhaps this book can give you a new appreciation.
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