Took awhile for me to get into her style, but I ended up really, really liking the story. Having said that, I'm still not certain about certain aspects in the book. But I really couldn't put it down and want to read more of her. Different, quirky, and not completely satisfying. If you get tired of authors that state the obvious and of mysteries that are too easy to solve, try Joyce Carol Oates. I'd think I figured her out, then she'd make me doubt myself. Still, I can't quite give it 5 stars. ( )

Oates captured an unlikable and unreliable narrator and nailed the fragmented lives that orphans and adoptees often lead. Pretending that their lives have no attachment to whatever comes before their adoption can be very damaging. I have no idea how much of her life was fantasy and how much was factual. You can't pretend that someone's origin is different than reality and expect them to have a completely realistic view of the world. ( )

This book is M.R. Neukirchen's psychological effort to remember her childhood as "Mudgirl" and to deal with the stress of her current life as the president of a university. Many times it was difficult for me as the reader to discern whether something was really happening or if the event was being reported from M.R.'s dream state. I am glad that I listened to the audio book as I may have had difficulty keeping focused on the print edition. ( )

This psychological thriller is written in typical Oates style--a bit overwrought, but you get used to it and it works. Mudwoman is MR (Meredith), who has recently taken up position as the president of a prestigious Ivy League university. She is called "Mudwoman" because when she was a toddler, her mother abandoned her in the middle of mud flats to die. Covered in mud, she was rescued in time, and was lovingly raised by adoptive parents. However, she has always had a fragile sense of self, and constantly strives to be "the best" at whatever she does.

The book alternates the story of her childhood and youth with her year as president of the university, as it gradually becomes apparent that her health is deteriorating. Strange things happen, and the reader is never sure what is real and what is not--whether MR is hallucinating or the events are really happening. Although long, this is a page-turner, and Oates paints an incisive psychological portrait of a troubled, but high-achieving woman. I am a fan of Joyce Carol Oates, and I recommend this to other fans.

3 1/2 stars ( )

First contact with this author, and a good surprise; great character this woman! which succeed to survive with this life and do with what the others want her to be.
Mudwoman or madwoman, interesting way to describe the intimate life of this character and the danger of keeping the past in ignorance. ( )