Solstice A Novel By Joyce Carol Oates: Amazon.ca: Joyce Carol Oates: Books

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A powerful beam into the dark places of the soul. -- The New York Times

Oates's novel is spellbinding, entrancing reading. -- West Coast Review of Books

Book Description

Back in print, one of the most engrossing of Joyce Carol Oates's earlier novels explores a relationship between two women. Originally published in 1985, Solstice is the gripping story of Monica Jensen and Sheila Trask, two young women who are complete opposites yet irresistibly attracted to each other. Blonde, shy, recently divorced Monica is a school teacher; dark, nocturnal, sophisticated Sheila is a painter of stature, driven by the needs of her art. Over the months, their friendship deepens, first to love and then to a near-fatal obsession.

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Customer Reviews

5 Reviews

5 star:		(3)
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3 star:		(2)
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Average Customer Review

4.2 out of 5 stars (5 customer reviews)

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1 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars I like to call this one "Betty and Veronica go to Hell", Mar 16 2004

By

Carrie - See all my reviews

This review is from: Solstice (Hardcover)

This novel grabbed me in my late angsty teens and nearly twenty years later has not yet let go. The binding dysfunction between these two characters cuts deep and festers, beautifully, mysteriously. Passive aggression pervades a subtle sort of risk-taking rivalry as Sheila lures Monica into testing the limits of identity, goading her into strange role-playing adventures such as might be embarked upon by a pair of rebellious adolescents. Each woman's undeniable dependence on the other seems vindicated through their prior separate survival of marriage, widowhood and divorce, and at points it seems as though neither fully exists without the other to witness her endurance and/or dissipation. A labyrinthine descent into all the scary places an intense female friendship can lead.

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3.0 out of 5 stars A sense of emptiness prevails, April 11 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Solstice A Novel By Joyce Carol Oates (Paperback)

I was eager to read this book because I have at times been astonished by JCO's ability to plumb the depths of relationships through her masterful writing. The quality writing is here, but the exploration of her characters seemed empty at times. I agree with the reviewer before me in that the relationship between Sheila Trask and Monica Jensen seemed to beg the question, "Why?" In a formal sense, there are things which the author uses in order to create Monica's sense of need for her connection with Sheila, such as the occasional mention of her failed marriage and a resulting facial scar. Sheila, the reslusive and eccentric painter, seems much less caring, and although the book describes their "close" friendship, none of the intimacy I expected was there. There were numerous passages describing how the two women related, and they seemed only to illustrate how uncompatable these two characters are. I had the sense that these characters could have met their needs anywhere and with anyone, not necessarily with eachother. This book is a success in the way it describes the desperation that is sometmes created by lonliness. Otherwise, I found it to be somewhat hollow. I know that JCO is capable of depth, though, and the exhilerating book _Foxfire_ is proof of that.

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3.0 out of 5 stars One burning question remains -- "WHY?", Jan 26 2001

By

Tanja L. Walker "Tanja L. Walker" (Norman, OK USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)

This review is from: Solstice A Novel By Joyce Carol Oates (Paperback)

Don't let the fact I only gave this book three stars deter anyone from buying this book. "Solstice" is a good read in the traditional Joyce Carol Oates tradition -- lots of reflection, oblique references to past events leading to current madness, a slightly ironic tone. I enjoyed reading the interaction between Monica and Sheila, how they both seemed to need each other, yet could bring out the worst in each other. However, I never understood why Monica became so obsessed with Sheila and her work. Opposites may attract, but these two women don't even have opposites in common, other than in Sheila's dark looks and Monica's blonde radiance. They are simply two completely different women. I suspect this book is best suited to reading in a college classroom setting, with ample opportunities for discussion and feedback on what this book "means." Or perhaps as a book club selection. I admit defeat -- I alone could not decipher it.

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Most recent customer reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Abusive
This book was about an abusive relatiosnhip. This abusive friendship did not have enough boundaries and nothing was clear. Read more

Published on Jun 9 2003 by cyane

5.0 out of 5 stars Really good..I cried
This was a really good book...It's about a shy woman teacher, fairly young, who moves to a new town. Read more

Published on Nov 26 2000