Customer Reviews

Faithless: Tales of Transgression

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Looking at the cover of this book, you might easily delude yourself into thinking that these stories are all in some way about marital infidelity. In fact, they are not. I happened to look inside the front cover of the book, and was reminded that many years ago Ms. Oates published a collection called "Marriages and Infidelities," which in a way seems like some sort of irony. Taking a cue from the title story, "Faithless" in the middle of the book, we learn that meaning of the word here is tied to religion and a particular character's lack of belief in God, and secondarily, her supposed lack of marital fidelity. Looking at the subtitle: "Tales of Transgression", we might think of sin. If we look at the introductory quote from Pascal to the entire collection, you get a further clue, " When one does not love too much, one does not love enough." So, what ties these 22 very different stories together? Where do the characters fail or go awry, as most of them do? Is it lack of faith in God, sinning against an individual or society, being dangerously devoted to a misguided cause or belief, or a simple lack of inner strength?

Sometimes the stories are slices of life, the simple grinds, the fears of ordinary everyday life. Example: The daily routine of an unloved and lonely young waitress. Others go deeper and darker, touching on chilling family secrets and contemporary societal evils, from a suspicious disappearance of a wife and mother, to euthanasia, to a planned murder by a spurned lover, and to the physical violation of an undercover TV reporter. These are just a few.

What is exciting and what elevates Ms. Oates' stories are that they invite endless speculation and don't give up automatic answers. The only common thread is Ms. Oates' consistent and enduring style, very similar to her other collections, yet managing to sound fresh. These are never comforting, lighthearted or heartwarming bedtime stories. There is always a nervous precision edge, a razor-sharp tone that accurately finds its mark, causing the reader's heart to palpitate. Once again, Joyce Carol Oates is in top form with this new group of short stories.

In her latest book, "Faithless: Tales of Transgression", Joyce once again shows her readers her virtuosity in the mastery of the short story. While the book is a compilation of stories relating to "transgressions" the manner of selection and the juxtaposition of the tales within the book is masterful in and of itself. Not only does Joyce deal with transgressions of marital fidelity, but she captures the essence of other transgressions. Those against oneself. Those against others not our lovers. Those against family members. And those of society against its people.

Joyce's articulation of the mental processes and logic of the transgressor and the transgressed provides a window into the "existential human experience" the likes of which are only rivaled by such authors as Camus, Kafka and Sartre. The book is constructed to take the reader from self-transgressions all the way through the entire spectrum to perhaps the ultimate societal nightmare, the "faithlessness" of those sworn to "protect and serve", the police forces of the country and specifically those of New Jersey.

Joyce makes very little attempt to hide the venue of her stories, and by doing so, she makes them even more personal. Yet, her manner of writing and her incredible acumen and sensitivity allow her to write the stories in such a way as to make them timeless and placeless, so that the reader comes to understand that these things could be happening in any place, in any town, in their own backyard.

The book is perhaps the finest compilation of stories to come out this year and perhaps will remain so until the end of this year. The book is a must read for any serious literature fans who wish to increase their personal understanding of the deep and often secret workings of the inner mind of the transgressor and how the logic of such a mind can bring virtually any person to the point of committing the most unspeakable crimes, yet Joyce does speak of them, in a manner as eloquent as any ever set down on paper. The book is a highly recommended read and serious lovers of literature should indulge themselves by partaking in this fabulous collection.

As I was reading this book, I kept thinking 'wow, where does this all come from'. Oates has a deep well of endless stories, thoughts and ideas. This book stirred my mind up -- during the period of time I was reading it, I was dreaming every night. An excellent read for variety, emotion, suspense and wonder!!

Joyce Carol Oates is one of my all-time favorite authors. Her work is amazing and with prose so beautiful that it is at times lyrical. I have loved all of her short story collections and marvel at the fact that am all the more impressed every time I pick up a new Oates book. Faithless: Tales of Transgression isn't an exception. This amazing short story collection covers a vast variety of subjects that speak to you and move you to the core. Some are dark and others are downright shocking, but they are always memorable. My favorites are "Ugly," "Physical," "Secret, Silent," "The Vampire," "A Manhattan Romance," "We Were Worried About You," and "Faithless." Here you will find stories centered on self-esteem, relationships gone awry and even murder mysteries (I should add that the story "The Vampire" isn't centered on the paranormal, but it is a quite impressive and somewhat disarming tale that ought to be read). There is something for every reader in this collection. I for one have fallen in love Oates's keen storytelling all over again. I cannot recommend Faithless enough.

Joyce Carol Oates is a marvelous writer, who does very well exploring the dark, seamy underside of life, and in Faithless, she remains faithful to her style. The characters in these stories have all been betrayed in one way or the other and deal with their betrayal in different, and sometimes really warped, ways. These stories are all strong, all engrossing and will please those just discovering Oates and those who have admired her all along.

This anthology of never-ending subjects is a great addition to your short story collection. The variety and range of these stories is terrific, but Oates' storytelling is at its finest.

The tale of a waitress who thinks she's "ugly" lingers long after the next story begins. A missing mother and all the rumors surrounding her disappearance never come close to the truth revealed at the end. Every single one of these stories are worth your time and the purchase of the book.

I originally wanted to read just one or two stories while I waited for another book I had on hold, but ended up reading about 10-12. The people in this book are often disturbed individuals and I loved it. Nothing like a protaganist to hate and pity I say. Oates has come a long way in her writing. the dialogue in particular in these stories is great and I could envision the scenes in each story. At a minimum, pick this up at the library and read a couple stories. I recommemd: faithless, lover, and questions

Another fantastic, moving, thought provoking book from the master.

while i'm no longer an advocate reader with my busy schedule, i do like to read short stories or novellas from time to time. in fact, i think i tend to suffer from acute laziness when reading anything that doesn't pertain to my work or junk mail which are receive tons of all the time in my p.o. box. after years of reading a short story here or there, i'd never read a book of short stories all the way through & in such a short period of time. from the moment i picked this book up on the bargain rack in border's to the time i went to bed later that evening, i couldn't tear myself away from the book. believe or not, i actually stopped taking phone calls & i had no desire for any kind of noise in the background (or just the minimum noise) which is unusual because i love music, movies, & lotsa noise generally speaking. when i began reading oates, i couldn't bear the though of the least distraction. i wanted to be literally taken away into her world of destruction, despair, and the tortured sould which only ms. oates can give. in a world of little faith, we find so many people here losing their way and struggling to maintain balance and find hope. faithless tells the tales of the sins we commit against others and the sins commited against us both forgivable and unforgettable. here we stories steeped with violence, aggression, & confusion which we can all surely identify with in this day & time. whereas there are books that you can read one short story & skip the others, you will want to read every story here and then seek out other books this magnificent woman has written. of all the literary minds still living in the world today, joyce carol oates has proved once again that she is tops & has never been anything less than the serious writer she aspired to be. recognized everywhere now by literature lovers &critics or even talk show hosts like oprah winfrey, it's impossible to avoid her name so you might as well follow the phenomenon yourself & discover the urgency of her work. it is easy to understand now after reading faithless why ms. oates work has won so many accolades through the years. this volume of work alone is proof that she deserved them. i'm now in the process of finishing up her collector of hearts but that's another story & another review. seek out faithless, my devout reading friends.

I read it but it is not Joyce C. Oates best work. It is a good one to compare an contrast with in a formum sitting.