Title: Haunted: Tales of the Grotesque
Author: Joyce Carol Oates
First published February 1, 1994
320 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780452273740 (ISBN10: 0452273749)
Rating: 3.7
Overview
Joyce Carol Oates, renowned poet, novelist, and dramatist, presents a collection of sixteen tales that will make you shiver and tremble with fear. In Haunted: Tales of the Grotesque, Oates takes you on a spine-tingling journey into the dark recesses of the human psyche with stories ranging from classic ghost tales to twisted psychological thrillers.
The title story, “Haunted,” tells the tale of Melissa and her friend Mary Lou, who explore a forbidden house, but years later, Melissa is tormented by her memories of its malevolence and the murder of Mary Lou. In “The Model,” a sexual threat lurks beneath the surface as Sybil Blake is asked to be a model for Mr. Starr, but the truth about her own identity and his will leave you on the edge of your seat.
Oates also reimagines Henry James’s “The Turn of the Screw” in “The Accursed Inhabitants of the House of Bly,” with new, perverse, and brilliant revelations. These stories are complex, multi-layered, and gripping fiction that is sure to scare you senseless.
With skillfully controlled prose, tightly woven plots, and deep psychological insight, Oates proves herself to be a master storyteller of the dark and twisted.
About the Author
Did you know that Joyce Carol Oates is a highly acclaimed author? She’s won both the National Book Award and the PEN/Malamud Award for Excellence in Short Fiction.
In addition, she was awarded the Prix Femina in 2005 for The Falls. Oates is a distinguished professor of the humanities at Princeton University and has been a member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters since 1978.
Fun fact: she has also written under the pseudonyms Rosamond Smith and Lauren Kelly.
Editoral Review
Joyce Carol Oates is one of the most prolific writers of our time, with over 40 novels and numerous short stories to her name. In her 1994 collection Haunted: Tales of the Grotesque, Oates explores the darker sides of human nature with a series of short stories ranging from the chilling to the surreal.
The genre of Haunted is difficult to pin down, as the stories vary widely in style and tone. Some are straightforward horror stories while others are more psychological dramas, but all of them share a common thread of exploring the darker corners of human experience.
One of the strengths of Haunted is Oates’ mastery of character development. Each story features complex, multi-dimensional characters who evoke both sympathy and disgust in equal measure.
From a man who discovers a mysterious hole in his backyard to a woman who begins receiving anonymous letters from a stalker, Oates draws readers into the lives of her characters with skillful, evocative prose. The pacing of the stories in Haunted is also notable.
Oates masterfully builds tension throughout each story, leading readers towards a gripping, often shocking conclusion. But she also knows when to pull back, allowing a sense of unease to linger long after the story has ended.
One potential weakness of Haunted is that some of the stories feel unfinished or unresolved. Oates has a tendency to leave her readers with more questions than answers, which may be frustrating for some.
But for those who enjoy ambiguity and the unexplained, this can be a strength. Overall, Haunted is a compelling collection of stories that will appeal to fans of horror, psychological thrillers, and literary fiction alike.
Oates’ skillful writing and ability to evoke strong emotions make this book well worth reading. Rating: 4/5 stars.
