We Were the Mulvaneys

by Joyce Carol Oates
We Were the Mulvaneys cover
Good Books rating 3.75
Literary Fiction
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Technical
  • ID: 3061
  • Added: 2025-10-16
  • Updated: 2025-10-16
  • ISBN: 9781841156996
  • Publisher: HarperCollins UK
  • Published: 2001-01-01
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3

The Mulvaneys of High Point Farm in Mt. Ephraim, New York, are a large and fortunate clan, blessed with good looks, abundant charisma, and boundless promise. However, over the course of twenty-five years, the Mulvaneys slide from the pinnacle of happiness into a scattered collection of lost and lonely souls, transformed by the vagaries of fate. The youngest son, Judd, now an adult, attempts to piece together the fragments of the Mulvaneys' former glory, seeking to uncover and understand the secret violation that occasioned the family's tragic downfall. Each of the Mulvaneys endures some form of exile--physical or spiritual--but in the end, they find a way to bridge the chasms that have opened up among them, reuniting in the spirit of love and healing. /n/nJoyce Carol Oates turns the tale of a family struggling to cope with its fall from grace into a deeply moving and unforgettable account of the vigor of hope and the power of love to prevail over suffering. Moving away from the dark tone of her more recent masterpieces, Oates crafts a narrative that is both poignant and redemptive, showcasing her mastery of storytelling.

Reviews
John Pistelli · John Pistelli · 2022-10-07
emotional 4.50

The novel is praised for its emotional depth and the way it builds tension through its narrative style. The reviewer appreciates the novel's ability to evoke strong emotions.

John Pistelli commends Joyce Carol Oates for her ability to create a deeply emotional impact through 'We Were the Mulvaneys'. He notes that the novel's strength lies in its narrative style, which builds tension and emotional resonance. Pistelli highlights the novel's exploration of family dynamics and the reverberations of a violent crime, finding it both timely and relevant. He appreciates the way Oates uses the narrative to delve into the complexities of human emotions and relationships, making the novel a powerful and moving experience.

Quick quotes

    Oates accomplishes her fiction's very real emotional effect with sheer accretion and insistence; the novel is like the wind that batters High

    The novel is a masterclass in building tension and emotional depth.

    Oates' exploration of family dynamics is both timely and relevant.

Books Snob · 2011-03-17
brutal 3.00

The writing is praised for its brilliance, but the novel is found to be emotionally challenging and brutal. The reviewer enjoys Oates' short stories more for their intensity.

The reviewer at Books Snob highlights Joyce Carol Oates' exceptional writing style, describing it as wonderful and powerful. However, they find 'We Were The Mulvaneys' to be a tough read due to its emotional heaviness and brutal themes. The reviewer mentions that while they appreciate Oates' short stories for their intensity, the novel's length and emotional impact make it a challenging experience. They acknowledge the brilliance of Oates' work but suggest that her short stories might be more accessible for those who find the novel overwhelming.

Quick quotes

    Oates writing is wonderful, but We Were the Mulvaneys was tough going.

    I love her short stories, but they are often just as brutal.

    Her novel, while beautifully written, is emotionally draining.

The Literary Omnivore · 2009-11-09
thought-provoking 3.75

The novel's pace is noted as aggressively leisurely, which can be both a strength and a weakness. The reviewer finds the suspense effectively built through the narrative's pacing.

The reviewer at The Literary Omnivore points out that 'We Were the Mulvaneys' has an aggressively leisurely pace, which can be both a strength and a weakness. They note that while the slow pace can drag at times, it is also effective in building suspense, particularly in the parts of the novel dealing with the aftermath of a violent crime. The reviewer appreciates the way Oates uses the pacing to create a sense of tension and unease, making the novel a compelling read despite its slower moments. They find the novel's exploration of family dynamics and the impact of trauma to be both powerful and thought-provoking.

Quick quotes

    Oates' aggressively leisurely pace can drag at times, but it's also useful for playing up suspense.

    The novel's pacing creates a sense of tension and unease.

    The exploration of family dynamics and trauma is both powerful and thought-provoking.

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