Reviews

Black Water by Joyce Carol Oates

gzaborski's review

dark emotional reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

This novella reads more like a circular poem, detailing the day leading up to a tragic accident inspired by the real life Chappaquiddick Incident from the fictional victim, Kelly Kelleher’s POV. I knew virtually nothing about the event reading this book, but it didn’t lessen the experience of being in the desperate mind of Kelly during her final moments.
The repetitive prose lends itself to the desperation in the run-on sentences reviewing snapshots of Kelly’s day and life as the perfect american girl. The book tackles subjects of sexuality, power  and femininity in a heart wrenching context. 
I really enjoy Joyce Carol Oates’s writing style and find it so engaging and effective in building mood. This book is an exemplary example of that.

thealexarachelle's review against another edition

4.0

This book filled me with anxiety and did not disappoint. I mean, the ending disappointed me because I had so much hope for the Kelly, but wow. It was a great, quick read. Well done. Thoughtfully done.

chuey27's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced

4.5

gracehale5's review against another edition

dark tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

thebeercanon's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

nbynw's review against another edition

2.0

interesting narrative pattern, horrific story. Car crash - not what I want to read about.

cartialese's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

junojunejunie's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

angelinalaramie's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.25

taniguchi_c's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0