Top 10 Joyce Carol Oates Novels 

Every time I’m in my used bookstore and see her books I think of you and I wish I had this video so THANK YOU. I am going to use this as a guide.

I too am a huge fan of JOC. Wonderland was my introduction and was completely blown away. I've had the pleasure of hearing her speak 4 times and meeting her as she graciously signed books for me.

I just started an early reviewers copy of Zero Sum-a collection of short stories. The first one is incredible. I think the only reason she hasn’t won the Nobel is because she is a woman and she writes very dark material. I started reading her in the late seventies and for a long time she was considered a freak because of her proficiency. She’s really an extraordinary writer.

Great summary of the wonderful JCO! I am also a super fan since reading A Garden of Earthly Delights for my summer AP English class. I have continued to follow, read and review her work over the years. It’s so fun to listen to your description of her work and interviews with her. I’m excited for her next release! ❤️🍾😎

This video is exactly what I needed! I have only read one thing by her and it blew my mind completely, now I would love to dive deeper into her work. Thank you!!!

I just finished reading Night. Sleep. Death. The Stars. It was a masterpiece. She is really a genius. It was a huge book but it was such a page-turner that I had it read in 4 days!

Every writer should be so lucky to have a fan like you. I’ve only read JCOs short stories so I appreciate this introduction to her novels. I’m embarrassed about that given her prolific output! I was gifted Blonde and Night Sleep Death the Stars and both are intimidating in size and breadth. Hoping to get to one or both soon.

She is such a great artist. She makes me feel less alone.

Thank you so much for these selections, I hadn’t heard of Oates until I stumbled upon your channel. Your love for her is so infectious that I’m sure I’ll be starting with one of these fabulous titles :)

I have been rereading Greg's Johnson biography of JCO. A fantastic read, and I would love him to do another. Needless to say, it's inspired me to revisit many of her earlier novels.

I am a huge fan of Oates' short stories but among her novels I would recommend: Them, Zombie, Expensive People, The Rise of Life on Earth, A Widow's Story (memoir), ,Black Water

The only book I read by the author was: My Life as a Rat. This book surprised me a lot. The way she works with human feelings is very delicate. I loved the way she builds her characters. It could be anyone's story. The reader feels touched when reading. It's an amazing experience.

A Widow's Story should be on this list. It is remarkable because it is so highly personal and intimate, it is fascinating and not to be missed. JCO really revealed her innermost workings of the heartbreaking experience when she suddenly lost her husband of over 40 years.

She is my favorite author! So far I’ve read Them and Blonde. Thanks for sharing ❤️

It's so cool to find great Joyce Carol Oates content on YT. Her work deserves dedicated readers like yourself. She's my favorite fiction writer. I discovered her 11 years ago when I picked up "We were the Mulvaneys" at a library sale (still one of my favorite novels of hers). I haven't read as much as you, but a good amount so far: 51 books total: 21 novels, 10 short story collections, 8 nonfiction, 6 novellas, 3 young adult novels, 2 books of interviews and 1 poetry book. So excited to have much more of her works to read still :) Of the novels you picked I’ve read 7 all of which were great, the other three (Blonde, Because it is Bitter and Because it is my Heart, and Bellefleur) just moved up my tbr list! Two novels I really enjoyed that aren't on your list and are on the shorter side for those intimated by longer novels: “I'll take you There” and “Foxfire: Confessions of a Girl Gang”. Both focus in on young women growing up. "I'll take you there" much like Marya feels really grounded in Joyce Carol Oates’ experience(which is rare in such an overt way at least), in this case of going to college . I went to high school in Liverpool NY right outside Syracuse where the novel is based and went to college in upstate NY. So I'm familiar with the region described here (and in much of her work really), so some of the specifics really resonated with me. Mixture of those two things made the reading experience unique; it felt like one of the most intimate and self revealing of her novels. Foxfire is a wild and energetic work that mixes sensational crime elements with a stream of consciousness voice. It's also an important book in Oates’ growing ability to create very different first person voices that drive the narrative and give a psychological intimacy to her later work especially(imo). So it's an important bridge book from her earlier works to her later novels which combine her earlier gritty realist works, plus the more experimental works like Bellefleur, and now the flexibility to move in and out of character voices and rely less on the third person narrative voice. Just for variety sake, since her works are so diverse in kind I'd add a few from other categories of her writings for anyone interested(also I just love them, and it's an excuse to share that): Nonfiction: 1 "New Heaven, New Earth: The Visionary Experience in Literature" Show’s her early interest in mystical states and experiences which is also reflected in her interest in the poetry of DH Lawrence, the works of Doris Lessing, and the early works of Colin Wilson. I feel her interest has shifted some from earlier William James type of fascination in varieties of religious experiences to more of a Henry James concern for finding ways to express more grounded psychological changes in consciousness. 2 On Boxing: short and different from her other work while still sharing her interest in extreme experiences, violence (it's attraction specifically here), and how those two things can be formative in the development of a self(both internally and socially perceived). Young adult: "After the Wreck, I Picked Myself Up, Spread My Wings, and Flew Away"(what a title!!!) and "Big Mouth and Ugly Girl". These have been some of the most emotionally impactful of her books. I think it’s because she really dials back the literary flourishes and detail to give an almost distilled emotional story, centering on traumatic experiences and their after effects. Her interest in transformations of the self and major pivotal experiences really take center stage over her more literary interests and it makes for intense and beautiful stories. Pacing myself in reading her young adult books because there aren't that many and how much I enjoy them. Maybe the only genre of books I truly wish she wrote a lot more. Novellas: "I Lock My Door Upon Myself" and "Rape: A Love Story". There's a sustained narrative and emotional intensity to her novellas that's just not possible in a long novel and makes them a different reading experience. There's also a focus on story with a clear beginning and end that gives them more structure then some of her short stories. I think there’s no wrong place to start reading her short stories so recommendations seem pointless. I haven't read any of her plays yet sadly, and only one poetry book so just don't know enough to pick. Thanks for taking the time to make this video (really all your Joyce Carol Oates videos), it gave me an opportunity to reflect on her works that I’ve read so far.

I really think you need to treat yourself to a JCO walk-in closet/room! That statuette is wonderful! I adore how it is both adorable and a little unsettling, like it is always watching you.

Omg I am OBSESSED with Bellefleur! It's funny, the only three books I've read by JCO so far are all in the gothic saga, I've read The Accursed, Bellefleur, and A Bloodsmoor Romance. I loved all of them and I can't wait to read Mysteries of Winterthurn now! I'm almost afraid to branch out into JCO's non-gothic books because I love these so much 😅

Awesome! Can’t wait for the Breathe to read! One of my all time favourite writers, she is incredible powerhouse. I enjoyed A bloodsmoor romance and My heart laid bare recently. Favourites are Blonde, Belleflour, What I lived for and more. Great video, thank you very much!

I got chills when you spoke about, We Were the Mulvaneys and Night. Sleep. Death. The Stars.

Finally picked up Blonde in August and am on my 9th JCO novel in a row! Blonde, NSDTS, My Sister My Love and Black Water are my faves so far... looking forward to reading the ones on your list I've not read yet!

Thank you for doing this. I've been wondering where to start. I have two: Night. Sleep. Death. The Stars. and We Were the Mulvaneys. I'll start one this month.

The first JCO book I ever read was Freaky Green Eyes, which I love and have re-read several times. And at your recommendation a couple of years ago, I read Mysteries of Winterthurn and the Gravedigger's Daughter, also excellent novels. Looking forward to reading more of her work. Thanks for this blog post, as well as all the others!

Exciting! I did feel completely overwhelmed and had used a couple lists to select a couple books of hers because Bookoutlet had a sale and had a lot in stock. I ended up doing pretty well, based on your selections. Picked up: Night. Sleep. Death the Stars; We Were the Mulvaneys; Beautiful Days; Black Water; Because It Is Bitter, And Because It Is My Heart. So at least a couple that you had mentioned. I will probably start with The Mulvaneys because I figure it’s the most accessible of them all?

Thanks so much for this list! I've been wanting to read something by her but had no idea where to start.

Amazing video, your joy when talking about Oates is palpable! It was great to hear someone praising Blonde. I thought it was an amazing novel, and the choice to use Norma Jean rather than Marilyn was insightful. Wonderland seems to get less attention than Them, but it really is an excellent book, so humane, which feels like an Oates hallmark. I also weirdly like the gothic horror novels Oates does. Hope you’re having a great week!

Thank you for this. I’ve read a lot of her works, and I’m just now realizing I slept on the endings because it’s a culture I don’t relate to. But it’s so universal and human. This video clarifies things for me as far as why I read everything she releases. I have a few I need to read a second time that’s how much deep thinking I do after finishing her books

This is my first time watching your videos and I'm instantly a subscriber... I love people who are enthusiastic about the things they are sharing online! Gotta dwell in the things that are inspiring -- It's good for the soul.

Thank you for doing this!! I’ve read 35? of her novels and do not have a real favorite. I love every one of them. The statuette is very cool!!!

Thank you for sharing and suggesting. Like you I am a Joyce Carol Oates fan. Of the 10 novels you present and introduce, I have read five. These are not the earlier ones which I hope to read in the near future. The first one I read with intense pleasure is The Falls. Since then, I have become an addict ! It is great to follow your channel which I have only come across very recently. 🙏

Thanks for the review. I really enjoyed it. I have read Blonde and found it really sad the relationship with her mother and the father figure disaster. I also read of JCO's several short story collections. I look forward to reading more.

My favorite JCO novels are We Were the Mulvaneys, The Gravedigger's Daughter (the first of her books I read), and The Tattoo Girl. Her short story collection High Lonesome is an excellent survey of her writing style over time as well.

I just finished Blonde last week and it was fascinating! I am not a huge fan of Monroe but it made me want to know more about her life. Jealous of your advance copy of breathe!💕

I'm just now reading Bellefleur after reading about a quarter of JCO's novels. I don't know why I put it off for so long, maybe because the idea of a long gothic novel is always daunting to me, even though I generally enjoy them. But the prose is so fresh and vivid! The pages move along. And I'm so grateful for your JCO themed episodes; she's one of the great writers of our time, and it's exciting to be alive (and watch your interviews with her!) while she's still writing.

Great video!, thanks. I also like very much “ missing mom”

Thank you for this video. I love her books! The Falls is one of my favorites. My, Sister My Love is probably one of the most disturbing books I've ever read, but couldn't put it down.

I’m about halfway through Night, Sleep, Death, the Stars and am absolutely loving it! Surprisingly I picked it up on a whim and is my first Joyce Carol Oates book! I can’t wait to read more from her!

I read one book by Joyce Carol Oates. Son of the Morning. The book, I believe, was written after Joyce Carol Oates denounced her Roman Catholic upbringing and decided to therefore attack the church throughout the book. The main character, in the book, becomes like a Messiah figure. Pulls out his own eye in the novel because he takes what the scriptures say literally. Joyce Carol Oates did the same by attacking Christianity.

I am too fan of her, my favourite was American Short Stories its so perfect for cozy winter. ❤

Hi. So responding to your enthusiasm for JCO, I finally read one of her books, namely 'We Were the Mulvaneys'. What a powerful, beautifully written book. So much to take in, enjoy and appreciate. Could say so much more but just a wonderful book. Now I can understand your love of her writing. I will certainly be reading more, probably something from your list. Thanks.

I started reading JCO (my new favorite writer) only recently and wish I had discovered her sooner. I have quickly become enthralled by her work. I just finished "Blonde" and also read her short story collection "Haunted." She is incredible and unlike any writer I have ever read. Looking forward to reading more of her many novels and story collections. She deserves the Pulitzer Prize several times over! Thank you for these recommendations. I watched the several interviews you have done with her on your channel and they were fantastic! I could listen to JCO talk all day, she is a genius.

Hi, Eric, I just found your channel because of JCO :) I'm a huge fan of hers, and was looking for a recent interview, found your interview with her about her new book "Breathe"; really enjoyed the interview and now I'm watching all the others! I have a small used bookstore outside of Chicago, so if you're ever visiting the area I hope you'll stop by and introduce yourself. Enjoying your videos so much!

What a great video! I love it! I haven't read anything from Joyce Carol Oates but I have Blonde and Black Water, the latter of which was actually my brother's who had to read it for class in like middle school. He's not a reader so at the end of last year he got rid of most of his books and gave them all to me to go through. Anyway, I plan on picking up Blonde sometime this year. I'm pretty sure the adaptation is supposed to come out on Netflix, but I don't know if it's been pushed back to next year. I haven't heard much news about it recently. I want to go through my Marilyn biographies though before I get to the book, though.

So I just happened to find Angel of Light by Joyce Carol Oates have you read that one if so would you recommend it.and do you have any thoughts regarding it?

I read her memoir A Widow’s Story soon after I was married. I still remember it vividly and I think it has helped me appreciate all the moments I have with my spouse. I need to read more of her fiction, but I have been perplexed with where to start. I appreciate your video and think I might try The Gravedigger’s Daughter. I have also downloaded samples of Bellefluer and Blonde. Thank you!

WOW - Fantastic information and a great video. I am also using this as a guide - I just finished listening to Cardiff By The Sea - Four Novellas of Suspense by JCO. I LOVED it and cannot wait for new glasses so I can read again! ( Next month I'm finally going to eye doc!) I just subscribed as I really enjoyed the way you reviewed each book. Thank you so much. Great job!!

My fav JCO Books are: Because It is Bitter, and Because it is My Heart; Do With Me What You Will; You Must Remember This; Bellefleur; and We Were the Mulvaneys.

I picked up “Rape: A Love Story” and loved it! I wanna read more JCO so I’m going back to this vid to have tour recommendations.

Awesome! Thanks, Eric! I'm reading We Were the Mulvaneys next month and The Gravedigger's Daughter soon.

Eric, have you read American Appetites? I feel like it's one of JCO's most underrated works. I bought it at a thrift store several years ago and it's been one of my favorite novels ever since.

I'm pleased to say I've read most of these on your list! For me it started with Big Mouth & Ugly Girl and Freaky Green Eyes way back when I was in middle school. Been hooked on her ever since!!

Too late, I'm starting with Zombie. I had no idea how prolific she is!

you have a very soothing voice, im trying to really listen but im oddly really relaxed

OK, it's finally happening. Having watched several of your JCO videos you have convinced me and I'm finally taking the plunge. I'm just starting my first ever Joyce Carol Oates book. Full of dangerously high expectations, I will try to moderate these and let you know how I get on.

I loved the We were the Mulvaneys. Just read it actually. I’m going to try Wonderland. Thx for tip. Wonderland certainly looks smaller than Blonde. Enjoyed Blonde; but, perhaps repetitive in places. I’m becoming a JCO fan!

Not an authority on JCO- I beg to differ! I knew her output was significant but not quite how many books she has published, it’s astonishing especially when she is still clearly maintaining quality - all the positive reviews for Night. Sleep. Death. The Stars last year for example. Despite watching you for years Eric, I have still only read two JCO novels but I do own a further six or seven and although I keep putting it off, it’s time to read Blonde as a big Marilyn Monroe fan. Thank you so much for this list!

Thanks for this great video, Eric. Now I really want to read “Wonderland”. I would also recommend “You Must Remember This”.

Just finished reading We Were The Mulvaney's the other day (the first Joyce Carol Oates book that I've read so far), & i loved it. Such a heartbreaking story. It's become one of my favourite books, & I'll definitely be reading more of Joyce Carol Oates work, she's an incredible writer. Also I've really enjoyed your interviews with her, she seems like a very lovely person.

I'm reading another collection of hers now. With the Doll-Master. I think the only novel I've read of hers is My Sister, My Love.

Hi Eric, Thanks for this wonderful post. I am somewhat intimidated by the vast array of titles by JCO. This has helped me enormously. I love memoirs so I think I will start with Marya as memoir-related. Also, someone commented on a collection of short stories as a good intro to her many styles.

I love her. One of my favorites.

Awesome reviews (as always)! I've read five of these and I was rooting for , and to make your list :) I'm putting the rest on my summer list!

I would add What I Lived For. I owe Joyce Carol Oates a lot.

Thanks Eric, lots of food for thought there. The ones that appeal to me initially are 'We Were the Mulvaneys' and 'Blonde'. But I was also thinking of some of the short stories as a way in to her work. Would you recommend a large collection like 'High Lonesome' or a smaller collection like 'I am no one you know' or 'Night Gaunts'?

Have you considered writing a book about Oates! You could base it off the info from this video and shoot from there.

I'd just bought Blonde which I've thought about reading for years. After watching some of Monroes movies recently, particularly River of No Return, and thinking she was much more talented than her times wanted her to be. Also I'm intrigued to read Marya A Life after listening to your comments. I keep wondering what JCO' novelist takes might be concerning current American hyper racism, and the global spread of this deadly virus, might produce.

I’m looking for a collection that includes “where are you going where have you been”. Can you mention one?

All these bookd dound realt neat. I was gifted what i Lived for which sounds really good. What's your thoughts on this book??

Thanks for this video. Solstice, Unholy Loves, Black Water, Expensive People and American Appetites are also wonderful. Not under my RU-vid name, but under my real name, I wrote and published a review of her short story collection Dis Mem Ber in Home Planet News Online a few years ago. And I always encourage my students to read JCO.

Thank you for this brief overview and sharing some of your favorites. I always wanted to read more of Joyce Carol Oates' books and you offer several entry points. I've read that there were two novels in particular she rewrote/revised. One of them was WONDERLAND. The hardcover came out in 1971 and the ending was rewritten for the 1972 paperback edition. And the other one was A GARDEN OF EARTHLY DELIGHTS that was originally published in 1967 and revised extensively for the Modern Library edition that came out in 2003. Did you talk about these revisions in an earlier video, or could you perhaps elaborate on the difference between the original and later editions?

I’ve read Zombie, The Book of American Martyrs, and The Assassins. Martyrs was the clear best of the three. I’m not sure what to think of the Assassins. It’s way out of print and I’ve never seen a review of it. It was odd. This is the second time in a week I’ve seen a review if Blonde on Booktube and I just picked up a copy of Them. I’m putting Night. Death. Sleep. Stars. on my Amazon and Audible list for someday.

I've only read a few JCO books, but want to read more, and have quite a few in the TBR. The one that stands out by a mile is Zombie. Have you read it? I remember inhaling it back in the 90s I think, or maybe early 2000s. I recently bought a copy to revisit it, even though it was particularly uncomfortable reading.

Would you recommend Foxfire and My life as a Rat. I borrowed them from the library but haven’t started them.

She is an expert at telling people's life stories. I've read "We were the Mulvaneys", " The Falls", "Gravediggers Daughter", " The tattooed Girl" , and "Them". The first book of hers that I read was " Zombie ", which scared the crap out of me, and was based on the life of Jeffrey Dahmer. After that it took a while for me to read another one. A great writer!!

Great list! I'll add Black Water. short but electric. One of her best!

Thanks for this list. I have never a book by Oats and have been hoping for advice about where to start.

I'm 200 pages into Blonde and I think it's truly remarkable. Started Bellefleur and I was Impressed by the scope of it but after 200 pages or so I had to stop because I wasn't really getting into it. I want to continue and finish it but I thought it was such a shame that the book isn't as captivating as I was almost sure it was going to be. I hope that it gets better...maybe 😆😆 I did want to like it so badly. I still do, it's just something about it that makes me think the story isn't engrossing enough (unlike Blonde that I'm completely succumbed to 🤣🤣)

Is there a novel by JCO you would not read? Great video. I will definitively refer back to it.

What about the novel them? Just started it now!

my favorite of her's is the poem "Wolf's Head Lake"

Hello and thank you for this video. I 'discovered' Joyce Carol Oates in a Romanian translated anthology of short fiction. She was present with the beautiful 'In the Autumn of the Year'. Then I purchased all of her books translated in romanian, unfortunately only four novels. The two that I loved are not on your list - The Garden of Earthly Delights & Rape. A Love Story. In the future, I will try to read more JCO in English :) especially Blonde, because of the movie. Cheers!

For me she is the best American author

I've only read Them which was amazing.

We were the mulvaneys sounds like an interesting read...Adding it to my wishlist. Thanks Eric!

I am currently reading Blonde and I love it and I will definitely check out her other novels!

I just bought My Life As A Rat. You've read that one, Eric?

Yes! So excited for this! *brews giant mug of tea*

I am currently reading my second JCO novel, “My Life as a Rat”. Where does that place in your ranking?

Ps How about a top twenty list of favorite JCO individual short stories ?

I've read some of her work many years ago.

I'd recommend "My sister, my love" - like "Blonde" it takes its basis in fact, but is still fiction. Based on the murder of Jonbenet Ramsey.

Something is seriously wrong with your transcript...u better ✓ it out. Hi Julie Thompson & Jan (Natalia) blachuta.

Holy Shit does the woman sleep :)

I've only read A Book of American Martyrs, but I LOVED it! I found the dialogue and descriptions were super engaging! I can't wait to read more.