Beasts: A Thrilling Mystery Novel by Otto Penzler - Perfect for Crime Fiction Lovers & Book Club Discussions

In yet another chilling tale of the grotesque and macabre, Joyce thrills her readers with a truly fine psychological tale. Overtly referencing D.H. Lawrence, one of the fathers of the genre, and one of Oates favorite writers, the book leads the reader through the mind of a young college coed, who to one extent or another, becomes lost and obsessed in the world of human feeling and sexuality, even depraved sexuality.The tale is highly autobiographical, and it is interesting to try and separate the fictional Joyce from the real one. Her love of D.H. Lawrence and literature in general, mixed with the college campus atmosphere with which she is so familiar. The exquisite detail of the anorexic condition which Joyce has been a victim of personally, along with her tachycardia. All these things, combined with emotions portrayed in a manner, that is purely unique to Joyce's work.Yet, not uncommonly, Joyce ends with the death or murder of some of her characters. This situation is not unusual for her. It is the manner in which the protagonist is drawn to create this conclusion that makes the book so precisely a Joyce Carol Oates novel, or perhaps it should better be called a novella. Running only 138 pages, the book does not give us the extreme level of character development that many of her books do. Yet, somehow, she is able to paint a truly clear and tangible, even palpable feeling of her protagonist and the mental processes that she experiences. Perhaps, drawing heavily on self experiences is the key to her wonderful articulation in such a limited number of words.For those who are familiar with her work, this book will not be a disappointment. Interestingly, she portrays women as the Beasts here, which is not typical, yet also not atypical of her Gothic style. Even her supporting characters have various, unclean and often nefarious intent. Yet she focuses the reader on the central character, which in many ways, is herself. In her style, she is the undisputed master, and this book is no exception. It is highly recommended for readers of Gothic tales, and any reader of Joyce Carol Oates will find this book one of great illustrative significance.