Wonderland

by Joyce Carol Oates
Wonderland cover
Good Books rating 4.42
Biography and Memoir
Buy online
Bookshop
Format • £10.44–£16.14
Amazon
Format/Price Check
Technical
  • ID: 3059
  • Added: 2025-10-16
  • Updated: 2025-10-16
  • Publisher: New York : Vanguard Press
  • Published: 1971-01-01
  • Formats: 6
  • Reviews: 3

Wonderland delves into the life of Jesse Vogel, a man whose childhood was marked by tragedy. His journey to become a neurosurgeon is one of determination and resilience, but his world shatters when he loses his daughter to the counterculture. This mesmerizing portrayal explores the depths of human emotion and the complexities of a life lived on the edge. The book offers a profound look into the mind of a man who has faced unimaginable loss and the choices he makes in the aftermath. It's a story that will resonate with anyone who has ever struggled with the harsh realities of life and the pursuit of redemption.

Reviews
Chicago Review of Books · 2017-02-13
brutal 4.50

The novel is seen as a brutal and transitional work that delves into murder and madness through intense interiority. The reviewer praises its raw and unflinching portrayal.

The reviewer describes Wonderland as a brutal and transitional work that fearlessly explores themes of murder and madness. The novel's use of intense interiority is praised for its raw and unflinching portrayal of the characters' psychological states. The reviewer finds the novel to be a powerful exploration of the darker aspects of human nature, making it a standout work in Oates' repertoire.

Quick quotes

    Wonderland is a brutal, transitional work, a case study of murder and madness told through squalling interiority.

    In it Oates situates you in the mind of a disturbed individual, making the experience both harrowing and compelling.

    The novel is a powerful exploration of the darker aspects of human nature.

The Book Lovers Boudoir · 2012-09-30
profound 4.75

The novel is praised for its exploration of complex relationships and childhood trauma. The reviewer finds it to be a great work that delves deep into its characters' experiences.

The reviewer highlights Wonderland as a great novel that masterfully explores the complexities of relationships and the lingering effects of childhood trauma. The depth of character development and the nuanced portrayal of emotional struggles are particularly commended. The reviewer finds the novel to be a profound and moving exploration of human resilience and the impact of past experiences on present lives.

Quick quotes

    Wonderland is a great novel that explores the complexities of relationships and surviving childhood trauma.

    The characters are deeply drawn and their struggles are portrayed with a raw honesty.

    The novel is a profound and moving exploration of human resilience.

The New York Times · 1971-10-25
darkly captivating 4.00

The novel is described as entertaining yet brutal, with a focus on psychological derangement and vivid imagery. The reviewer finds it captivating despite its dark themes.

The reviewer notes that Wonderland is a gripping exploration of psychological derangement, with a level of brutality that makes it a challenging read. The vivid imagery and entertaining narrative keep the reader engaged, despite the dark and disturbing content. The novel's ability to draw the reader in, even as it confronts them with unsettling themes, is highlighted as a testament to Oates' skill.

Quick quotes

    The ghosts are psychological derangements, but we are invited to watch real bone and gristle fly.

    The book is as entertaining as a fatal plane crash.

    Oates has a talent for making the darkest corners of the human psyche compelling.

Appears in Lists