Customer Reviews

Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?: Selected Early Stories

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It bothers me to imagine people who are interested in finding out more about the works of Joyce Carol Oates may not buy this book because there aren't any really in-depth reviews of it. So I'd like to give you my insight into the novel.

I first became interested in Oates after reading "Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been", the short story, for a college English course. After reading the story, I was instantly hooked. It is EXCELLENT, and so worthy of being read you could buy the book for that reason alone. I went on to write a fairly large essay on it simply because I enjoyed it so much, and I felt the need to analyze it so that I could better understand what is behind the story. If I had not done so, I probably would be in the "I just didn't GET it" category like some of the other more casual readers.

"Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?" is, on the surface, a short story about a 15-year old girl named Connie. Connie is vain and self-involved, full of the sense of superiority that comes from being young and thinking you know everything. She has a strained relationship with her family. Connie believes her mother is jealous of her because the mother's looks have faded with age and children, while Connie is still young and beautiful. Connie's sister June is (in Connie's eyes) "chunky" and "plain". Connie enjoys looking down on other people, especially socially inept or unattractive boys.

One day her family is safely away at a barbecue, and a boy Connie has only once seen before while at a drive-through restaurant pulls up at her house accompanied by a male friend. Typically, Connie is at first only conscious of her appearance--does she look nice enough to greet the semi-stranger? She is unaware of any danger at having a strange man/boy show up at her house while she is home alone. The guy--who introduces himself as "Arnold Friend"--invites Connie to go for a ride in his car. Connie first thinks Arnold is around her own age, but as she stares at him longer and longer suspects something strange is going on: "She could see then that he wasn't a kid, he was much older--thirty, maybe more". And indeed, something strange IS going on.

I don't want to give away the rest of the story. I think I'd rather leave you wondering what happens to Connie and if her parents show up in time to make Arnold high-tail it out of there. In fact, the story has a rather open-ended conclusion, but that makes it all the more tantalizing.

Like most of the stories in the novel, when you first read the short story "Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?" you are probably not going to immediately understand it. There are those who have said they despise Oates, but those are the people who won't like her writing because they don't WORK at it. Yes, you may have to WORK if you want to understand her stories. The best suggestion I can offer you is--READ EACH STORY THROUGH AT LEAST TWICE if you don't understand it the first time around! Don't get frustrated. Be willing to invest a little extra time in this book; you will be rewarded for your patience. I honestly believe it will be worth your while. You may find my suggestion boring and tedious. It's easy to simply give up on a story when you don't understand it right away. I urge you--don't make that mistake with this book.

Joyce Carol Oates is widely read for a REASON! The novel contains stories which received O. Henry Awards, in addition to other stories which were previously printed in such places as The American Literary Anthology and The Best American Short Stories. Again, Oates's work may not be the most easily comprehensible. But this is a very good collection of her works, and it will give you a great idea of her writing style. I hope you are as taken with it as I am.

There must be a lot of people, who became Oates'fans after they read "Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?" Typically, Teenagers tend to disobey adults like their parents and teachers and to be self-centered. Heroine Connie is such a girl. Connie's charactor will arouse sympathy from readers. There must be many points that we used to think and behave like her when we were teenagers.
Connie is a self-centered girl. She is not chummy with her family and always resists her mother. She does not go to a church, does not help her mother, is not interested in family matters, and looks down on people. She cares her appearance, hangs out with her friends, likes shopping, and listens to rock'n rolls. She is, so-called, a typical rebellious teenager. One day, a mysterious guy shows up and causes something wired for her.
Joyce Carol Oates, the author of this novel, has been recieved many awards. This work was made into the movie, retitled for "Smooth Talk." This book will attract you and is worth reading. I think you will like it.

There is something very unnerving to me about these stories, something that makes me feel exposed and unsettled. Many of the stories deal with awkwardness and youthful vulnerability, and the mood is contagious.

Regarding the famous title story "Where Are You Going", my husband suggested that it is a dream sequence about a young girl's decision to lose her virginity, rather than an actual occurrence. This makes it a little less tense ~ but only a little.

Every story is very well-written and captivating, though not exactly pleasant. These subjects are hard to look in the eye.

Joyce Carol Oates has always been one of my favorite short story writers (in fact, I consider her to be among the finest purveyors of the form), and this is one of her finest collections. The title story is a little vignette that captures an awkward, uncomfortable stage of adolescence perfectly. Highly recommended for fans of short stories.

I first read this book for a literature critical theory class in college. I loved every word of it and read it numerous times, trying each time to see a different character in Arnold Friend. This story of a girl's coming of age is cleverly wrapped in layers and lends itself to many different interpretations. If you haven't read it, you must!

I first read "Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?" in a english course I took and it had such a profound effect on me I was prompted to pick up a copy of this book. To say the least her stories are profoundly moving, thought provoking and insightful. If you don't know much of her work, I would recomend this collection as a starter.

I'm actually reading the story "Where are you going, where have you been?" in my English 11 class. I'm looking for some help on interpreting it... I really don't understand it at all! I'm wondering if it is a dream sequence, or if it really "happened"... It reminds me of "The Yellow Wallpaper". I have no idea why... But it does. Anyone up to helping me get his story? My e-mail is ...

The writing was good, but I liked the story better the first time I heard it, when it was called Degrassi Junior High. It was more of an after-school special than a meaningful short story. Anybody who tries to find significance in this story should delve into the symbolism of The Cat in the Hat.

I had to read this story along with other short stories for a college course. I didn't really get into at first but after class discussions and rereading it I sorta got the point. I was never really fond of short stories and doubt I ever will be.