Share for friends:

American Appetites (1992)

American Appetites (1992)

Book Info

Rating
3.55 of 5 Votes: 3
Your rating
ISBN
0517079798 (ISBN13: 9780517079799)
Language
English
Publisher
random house value publishing

About book American Appetites (1992)

Oh, how I love a compelling family tragedy! But this whole drama could have been avoided if the husband had just followed my advice--Dude, if you're going to pay for a young woman's abortion, and the young woman happens to be your wife's friend, and you are not--repeat ARE NOT having an affair with said woman, tell your wife about it. It's that simple. "Honey, guess what happened today? Remeber your friend Sigrid? Well it's the damndest thing! She called me up at the office today and asked me to give her $1,000 for an abortion! And I'm not even having an affair with her!" There. Now your wife won't find a canceled check made out to her young friend and assume the worst and you won't throw her through a plate glass window and ruin your life. People are idiots...

American Appetites was very enjoyable. This one of JCO’s earlier novels. I enjoyed the way the novel explored relationships and appearances. Everyone who sees the McCullough’s believes they are the perfect all-American couple. I loved how JCO peeled back the layers revealing the mess that lay at the heart of the marriage. I like reading about people’s lives falling apart. The moment of violence is very dramatic and well written without being over the top. JCO knows how to write, how to vividly bring her characters and their world to life. I didn’t feel a lot of sympathy for any of her characters though. I could help thinking Ian got what he deserved. This dampened the enjoyable of an otherwise accomplished novel.

Do You like book American Appetites (1992)?

Read as audiobook - radio show performed by the LA Theatre WorksShort (about 2 hours) - good for a commuteA short family tragedy of a priviledged couple in Hudson, New York. A little confusion involving a questionable extra-martial affair and a rebellious family daughter. Glynnis dies during a drunken accident after fighting with her doctor husband. She is a famous cookbook writer and living the high life exposed in a glass house. Mid life is causing some unrest in their marriage. Red headed Sigrid is an interesting character that comes into their life.
—Joanne

Ugh! Love Oates, didnt like this book at all. I had it in my possession for the longest time, kept trying to read it and just couldnt get into it. Finally I decided to "just do it" and I am glad I got it out of the way but was very disappointed. The story centers on Ian and Glynnis, who have this enviable relationship but I simply dont understand it. Glynnis has had several affairs, Ian is recently impotent and their relationship is torn apart and she dies because she thinks he is having an affa
—Brisbride13

I really enjoy Oates' writing, from the beginning of the novel I loved it. I disagree with the summary on the back, "Ian fighting for his life" during the trial. It's the exact opposite he sits back and doesn't lift a finger to defend himself regardless of the consequences only because he doesn't want to portray Glynnis in a bad light. It is admirable he wants to protect his late wife, even though he's responsible for her death, but his dopey behavior and refusal to stand up for himself is frustrating. Oates takes a seemingly perfect well off family and unravels it piece by piece and shows a man with nothing cling on to the world shattering around him.
—Abby Kalei

download or read online

Read Online

Write Review

(Review will shown on site after approval)

Other books by author Joyce Carol Oates

Other books in category Picture Books