You Must Remember This

A sprawling, intricately woven tale of a family in the 1950s. The narrative flows from family member to family member--with the main focus on Enid and Felix. Beautifully written. This was my first time reading a book by Joyce Carol Oates, and I'm glad I did.

I suppose I was offended by those who said this novel did not capture their attention, and those who said it was "creepy.' I think readers who've said the latter entirely missed the point. It is not creepy--even though the circumstances of Enid and Felix may appear to be. As you read, you learn the depth of these characters and because you become so familiar with their lives, you no longer judge their choices so harshly. It's not so creepy when you're living it--and while reading show more the book I really felt I was in their world.

Oates does an amazing job of acquainting you with the circumstances. It is very much a book about love in all its forms--especially within a family and within love affairs, how it alters throughout the years, how you so easily can convince yourself you're in love and alternatively how you can shut it out completely if you need to, et cetera.

It was a very long read. But it didn't feel like it. Admittedly, I skimmed a couple of pages here and there (especially in the middle, when it was from Lyle's POV. Sometimes those felt long). Mostly I loved Enid's storyline, and Felix's. I even liked the boxing scenes, though I never thought I would. (You'll learn a thing or two about the intricacies of boxing when you read this.)

I would definitely recommend You Must Remember This. But, as with everything, go into it with an open mind. And if you expect an author to write very long book about a family WITHOUT documenting how fucked up those family members lives can get, then I guess you're looking for a really boring read. show less

A deep, moving and fascinating portrayal of a family in the mid-1950s. Ms. Oates is a very good writer and she is really able to evoke a sense of time and place. Most importantly, she gives us complex, real characters. As is often the case with her novels, this one made me a little uncomfortable as it dealt with sensitive issues; in this case, there is violence and incest. She doesn't shy away from describing these issues, but doesn't glorify them either. It is the REALNESS of her writing that grabs me every time.

Med tiden går handlar om att växa upp på 50 talets USA, Joyce Carol Oates har lyckats fånga känslan och målat upp historien att man ser allt framför sig. Jag älskar denna bok som är en gammaldags roman där man får följa karaktärerna från de är barn till långt in i vuxenåldern. :

Let me see: accurate snapshot of times past. the end of childhood. people, living. attempting to stop. well, things happen...
I enjoyed the father character most, in his dusty used furniture store. He seemed so unassuming and almost pleasant in his drabness.

Middle class America in the 50's around upstate New York. Written well. Add a star if you are really interested in the era or the region.

i am surprised this novel isn't more well-known. i thought it was great. oates is an amazing writer.

also known as Big Mouth, Ugly Girl TEEN FICTION