Cody | CodysBookshelf’s Reviews > Lovely, Dark, Deep > Status Update
Cody | CodysBookshelf
is on page 41 of 420
Mastiff”: This stiff and slightly overwritten story earns 3 stars from me; it is saved by its emotionally poignant latter half. Also, this is the second story in this collection to be set in a hospital, and to (at least partially) concern itself with living wills, and next of kin.
— Jul 11, 2018 06:47PM
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Cody | CodysBookshelf’s Previous Updates
Cody | CodysBookshelf
is on page 419 of 420
This collection ends on a high note with “Patricide”, a 5-star story about the life, and death, of a womanizing literary author, and the strained relationship he has with his adult daughter. Absolutely exquisite.
— Jul 17, 2018 06:38PM
Cody | CodysBookshelf
is on page 335 of 420
“Lovely, Dark, Deep”: The 5-star title story is a historical fiction piece about poet Robert Frost, and an interviewer that knows too much about him (Frost). So well done.
— Jul 16, 2018 11:31PM
Cody | CodysBookshelf
is on page 297 of 420
“Betrayal”: In this 5-star story Oates takes a tried-and-true formula (son wants to branch out on his own, deviating from his parents’ plan) and twists it into something original, and horrific.
— Jul 16, 2018 06:16PM
Cody | CodysBookshelf
is on page 277 of 420
“The Jesters”: This unsettling, melancholy tale is one worth mining for literary treasure, though it does suffer a bit from predictability. 4 stars.
— Jul 16, 2018 05:55PM
Cody | CodysBookshelf
is on page 241 of 420
“Forked River Roadside Shrine, South Jersey”: This one is narrated by the spirit of a teenager, set at the scene of his death. Super cool stuff. 5 stars.
— Jul 15, 2018 05:54PM
Cody | CodysBookshelf
is on page 221 of 420
“Things Passed on the Way to Oblivion”: Meh. 2 stars.
— Jul 15, 2018 05:30PM
Cody | CodysBookshelf
is on page 181 of 420
“The Disappearing”: A gut-punch of a story, told with this author’s typical deft hand. Oates is unafraid to ratchet up the paranoia.
— Jul 12, 2018 06:44PM
Cody | CodysBookshelf
is on page 149 of 420
“The Hunter”: A beautiful and brilliant story about an In-Resident Poet, and a College President. 5 stars
— Jul 12, 2018 05:47PM
Cody | CodysBookshelf
is on page 109 of 420
“‘Stephanos Is Dead’”: A riveting, albeit slightly overlong, tale of mourning and illness. Seems to be a common theme in this collection. 3.5 stars
— Jul 12, 2018 05:06PM
Cody | CodysBookshelf
is on page 81 of 420
“A Book of Martyrs”: I am blown away. Absolutely devastated. 5 stars. Stories like this are why I read short fiction.
— Jul 11, 2018 07:27PM
