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onmalsshelf 's review for:
Cardiff, by the Sea: Four Novellas of Suspense
by Joyce Carol Oates
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Thank you Grove Atlantic, Mysterious Press, and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for a review.
This novella collection was my first Joyce Carol Oates read and it will certainly not be my last. Each novella was eerie and atmospheric with an amazing sense of place. I good picture myself in each sign and each story was unique.
My breakdown of the four novellas:
<i>Cardiff, by the Sea</i> - title story. 4.5 stars. Atmospheric story that takes place in Cardiff, Maine about a woman who returns to Cardiff after was adopted as a child after her family died.
<i>Miao Dao</i> - 3.5. Honestly this one was hard for me to read at times as it deals with animal abuse, and step fathers being creepy. However it was very atmospheric and I felt like in the moment with
<i>Phantomwise: 1972</i>-4 stars. Takes place on a college campus where a female freshman is pursued by two predators. I didn't see the ending coming at all. Finally a suspenseful college campus story that didn't disappoint me (it's no secret that nothing can live up to The Secret History to me).
<i>The Surviving Child</i> - 4.5 stars. A supernatural suspense that takes place in Boston.
If you're looking for some suspenseful short stories or novellas, look no further - you've found them!
This novella collection was my first Joyce Carol Oates read and it will certainly not be my last. Each novella was eerie and atmospheric with an amazing sense of place. I good picture myself in each sign and each story was unique.
My breakdown of the four novellas:
<i>Cardiff, by the Sea</i> - title story. 4.5 stars. Atmospheric story that takes place in Cardiff, Maine about a woman who returns to Cardiff after was adopted as a child after her family died.
<i>Miao Dao</i> - 3.5. Honestly this one was hard for me to read at times as it deals with animal abuse, and step fathers being creepy. However it was very atmospheric and I felt like in the moment with
<i>Phantomwise: 1972</i>-4 stars. Takes place on a college campus where a female freshman is pursued by two predators. I didn't see the ending coming at all. Finally a suspenseful college campus story that didn't disappoint me (it's no secret that nothing can live up to The Secret History to me).
<i>The Surviving Child</i> - 4.5 stars. A supernatural suspense that takes place in Boston.
If you're looking for some suspenseful short stories or novellas, look no further - you've found them!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Suicidal thoughts, Abortion, Murder