Black Water

by Joyce Carol Oates
Black Water cover
Good Books rating 4.23
Thriller/Suspense
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Technical
  • ID: 3062
  • Added: 2025-10-16
  • Updated: 2025-10-16
  • ISBN: 9780452269866
  • Publisher: Plume
  • Published: 1993-05-01
  • Formats: 6
  • Reviews: 3

In the midst of a long summer on Grayling Island, Maine, twenty-six-year-old Kelly Kelleher yearns for something exciting to happen. Her life takes a dramatic turn when she meets The Senator at an exclusive party, who invites her to a hotel room. Despite the risks, Kelly agrees, drawn by the thrill of the unknown. However, the evening takes a dark turn as The Senator's true nature reveals itself, leading to a terrifying sequence of events. Black Water is a gripping exploration of power dynamics, trust, and violation. The novel masterfully weaves together suspense and psychological depth, creating a timeless classic that lingers in the reader's mind long after the final page. With its evocative prose and unflinching examination of human behavior, it solidifies its place as a standout work by one of America's foremost storytellers.

Reviews
Reading Matters · 2020-11-17
engaging 4.00

The book is described as easy to read despite its heartbreaking contents, focusing on a carefree young woman whose life is dramatically altered.

The reviewer finds the novel easy to read, despite its occasionally heartbreaking content. They emphasize the stark contrast between the carefree life of the protagonist and the tragic events that unfold. The reviewer appreciates the author's ability to create a compelling narrative that keeps the reader engaged, even as it delves into difficult subjects. The novel is seen as a powerful exploration of the fragility of life and the unexpected turns it can take.

Quick quotes

    It's an easy book to read, even if the contents are occasionally heartbreaking, for here is a happy carefree young woman who has had her life ...

    The novel is a powerful exploration of the fragility of life and the unexpected turns it can take.

    Oates creates a compelling narrative that keeps the reader engaged, even as it delves into difficult subjects.

UU Library Blog · 2020-03-24
thought-provoking 4.20

The novel is commended for its focus on the young woman whose life is endangered by the Senator's reckless actions, highlighting the societal implications.

The reviewer praises the novel for its focus on the young woman whose life is endangered by the Senator's reckless driving. They appreciate the way the novel explores the societal implications of such actions and the impact on the protagonist's life. The reviewer finds the novel to be a poignant commentary on the consequences of reckless behavior and the broader societal issues it reflects. The novel is seen as a powerful and thought-provoking read that stays with the reader long after finishing.

Quick quotes

    Black Water focuses on Kelly, a young woman whose life is endangered by the Senator's reckless, drunken driving.

    The novel is a poignant commentary on the consequences of reckless behavior and the broader societal issues it reflects.

    Oates creates a powerful and thought-provoking read that stays with the reader long after finishing.

The New York Times · 1992-05-10
audacious 4.50

The novel is praised for its audacious approach to a sensational topic, treating it with ordinary terms. The reviewer is impressed by the author's daring and the novel's unique perspective.

The reviewer highlights the novel's audacious treatment of a sensational story, noting how the author manages to handle it with a sense of ordinariness. This approach is seen as a bold move that sets the novel apart. The reviewer also appreciates the author's ability to delve into the complexities of human nature and the societal issues that surround the central event. The novel is described as a powerful exploration of a young woman's life and the consequences of a reckless act.

Quick quotes

    "Black Water" is as audacious as anything I know in recent fiction, for Ms. Oates dares to treat the sensational in the most ordinary terms, ...

    The novel is a powerful exploration of a young woman's life and the consequences of a reckless act.

    Oates manages to handle the sensational with a sense of ordinariness, making the story all the more impactful.

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