A beautiful work
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Joyce Carol Oates doesn't seem to be that well known this side of the Atlantic which I find rather baffling. For anyone wishing to find a way into her work (at over 30 novels and dozens of other publications it can be rather daunting), a reader won't go far wrong with "Mother, Missing". The book follows a year in the life of a 30 something woman following the sudden death of her mother. Neither the death, nor particularly the grieving are the focus of the book; rather it examines at our perceptions of the lives of those closest to us and our assumptions about ourselves. It is not sentimental but rather evokes a deeply empathetic reaction. Perhaps not one to read if you've recently lost someone close to you - but a great reflection on identity and purpose and a way into a great writer's work.
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United States | 
United Kingdom | 
Canada