We Were the Mulvaneys Audiobook

" I feel like this could have been a good book if it were half the length it is. I have rarely disliked character as much as I dislike the mother. So glad to be done with this! "

" Definitely one of her masterpieces. "

" This has to be one of the most depressing books i've ever read. I guess the writing was good, but i just kept asking myself why i kept reading it. Honestly, it was 500 pages of shot-me-now. "

" I found this just okay. The story centers around an awful event that happens to the Mulvaney family, specifically to one member, and the effects that spread through the family. The book takes you through the years following the event, and unfortunately it just dragged with an almost stream of consciousness meandering through the lives of the family members. It does come together at the end, but at that point, it felt too rushed and thrown together for me. "

" Such a good book! Depressing at times, but the ending redeems itself and makes the book worth the read. Beautifully developed characters, you can really relate to and empathize with the Mulvaneys. "

" The book has some really good parts but just a lot of lulls that make it seem a little long. "

" Topically, this isn't the sort of story I enjoy, but I found this novel engaging, believable, beautifully written and emotionally compelling. Loved it! "

" Great-my hat is off to you all of the time Joyce "

" Ehh... long, slow build-up to a rather abrupt ending. The imagery and characterization were OK, I guess, but it felt way too drawn out. "

" This is a book that I read so long ago that the details of the book have been lost, but the fact that I remember I loved it stayed with me all these years. "

" Had to demote to 3 stars because all of those quotations she uses get a little distracting! I do love her writing, though. "

" loved, loved, loved this book - one of my all time favorites - reminds me so much of the dysfunction that would haunt my own birth family - so sad, so triumphant in the end, truly reflects the many passages of a family thru life "

" Very sad book about one event that ultimately disintegrates an entire family. I liked the writers style of writing. "

" Typically Oatesian in its density and sadness. The happy (?) ending was not typical Oates, however. "

" I loved her depiction of difficult family life with all its pain and beauty. Glad I read it. "

" One of those books I'm glad I read even though I didn't really enjoy it while I was reading it. "

" It wasn't an easy read. I think it was OK. I need recommendations of page-turners. "

" I have never read a book like this. so sad yet I could not stop thinking about it if I was not reading it. how one event changes the dynamics of an entire family. Recommendation - do not read at the beach!!! "

" Although this book was a bit confusing it is well worth the read. I read it twice to try to understand it better. It has a good storyline, it just kinda bounces around some. "

" I liked it! It was sad, but hopeful. "

" This was a rather depressing story in all. I read it several years ago and that's the impression I was left with. "

" I had a really hard time getting into this book. "

" A heavy drama, but something that was really profound for me. A good read. "

" Heartbreaking story. I becamne so involved in this book - read it a couple of days. "

" First novel I read by this author. I'm hooked! "

" I found this book hard going. It was not upbeat and the family was weird and dysfunctional. It would be a good book club book though because I think it could spark a lot of discussion. Since I'm not currently in a book club, I'm glad I'm done with it. "

" This book is beautifully written with strong characters but I really didn't like that the characters didn't seem to change/develop with time. The writing frequently made up for it, but what seemed like it would be a great family epic drama fell a little flat for me. "

" JCO takes us on a journey about the costs of keeping secrets. "

" Who doesn't love an Oprah Book Club book! Joyce Carol Oates has over 70 publications, which is intimidating when trying to pick which of hers to read first. This is a great choice for a newbie! After Steinbeck and Sedaris, she is my favorite author. "

" This was a great epic novel. I loved the Mulvananey family! This novel took me through an entire range of emotions. I was happy for the family, sad and sometimes mad at the characters. I highly recommend this read. Thanks Mary Beth! "

" I've read other books by Oates too. Completely unmemorable; don't get why people think she is good. "

" Very well written, but left me feeling sad. "

" I did not like this. A real downer. A 16 year old gets date raped. This destroys her family. The "happy ending" was unrealistic. Yuck! "

" I read this book last month. I thought it was very good. I am enjoying reading more books by this author. No two books are the same. She is a very talented writer. One of america's best. This story is about a family trying to deal with a tragedy. "