Synopses & Reviews
Few authors are able to create an atmosphere of unease and terror as well as Oates, and the four novellas in this collection prove the point. In the title story, “Evil Eye,” a young woman has recently become the fourth wife of a man who is demanding. When his first wife comes to stay with them, she warns her that he is insane, and that she must protect herself.
A fateful meeting in a library leads to a boy’s obsessive interest in a teenage girl in “So Near Any Time Always,” which originally appeared in the renowned mystery journal Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine. In “The Flat-Bed,” which was written specifically for this volume and is in print for the first time, a beautiful young woman, for reasons she cannot comprehend or explain, struggles with frigidity. The act that finally releases her will shock readers.
All the novellas in this collection feature love that is somewhat askew, just off center and, ultimately, horrifying.
Review
"Shrewd and unnerving. . . . Oates' deft tales of vulnerable women with surprisingly deep reservoirs of strength and a capacity for revenge are infused with wry and knowing commentary on the battle between the sexes, the justice system, and the consequences of entitlement."
Review
“Each performer does a first-rate job of matching the unique atmosphere that Oates creates in these four works. . . . The performances are gripping across-the-board making for a standout listening experience.”
—Publishers Weekly [starred review]
Review
“These powerful, suspenseful novellas can easily keep readers awake at night and perhaps should be read in bright daylight. Highly recommended.”
—Library Journal [HC starred review]
Synopsis
Joyce Carol Oates is one of the world’s foremost chroniclers of the darkness that may lie within the human heart. In this collection of four terrifying novellas Oates shows just how far awry true love can go.
Synopsis
Readers know that few authors are able to create an atmosphere of unease and terror as well as Oates, a fact confirmed by the four novellas presented here.
In the title story, "Evil Eye," a young woman has recently become the fourth wife of a highly demanding man. When his first wife comes to stay with them, she warns the new bride that her husband is insane, and that she must find a way to protect herself. In "So Near Anytime Always," a fateful meeting in a library leads to a boy's obsessive interest in a teenage girl. In "The Execution," spoiled college student Bart Hansen has forgotten to factor in one person in his plan to commit the perfect, brutal crime: his mother. And in "The Flatbed," a beautiful young woman struggles with frigidity until a shocking act releases her.
All the novellas in this collection revolve around the theme of love gone wrong--horribly, shockingly wrong.
About the Author
LUCI CHRISTIAN is an American voice actress and ADR Script Writer who has provided voices for a number of English language versions of Japanese anime films.In addition to many prize-winning and bestselling novels, JOYCE CAROL OATES is the author of a number of works of award-winning gothic fiction. In 1994, Oates received the Bram Stoker Lifetime Achievement Award in Horror Fiction. She lives in Princeton, New Jersey.CHRIS PATTON began his career in stage performance but later found his true calling in voice over. In addition to his work narrating audiobooks, Chris has also voiced over 160 animated titles, and numerous national and regional commercials. He has appeared at over seventy-five pop culture conventions internationally to discuss his craft and interact with fans of his expansive fan base.DONNA POSTEL should have known the path shed take by her first grade play. Instead of getting to play a duck or a tree, she was cast in the only speaking role, The Narrator. Fast forward to the present and we find Donna in her state-of-the-art studio where she has been happily talking to herself ever since. Her voice has been heard on hundreds of commercials and corporate narrations, recently expanding into audiobooks. When shes not in the studio, Donna can be found down at the barn, cleaning up after, and occasionally riding, her horses.TAMARA MARSTON has been an actor, singer and director for over 30 years. A career performer / musician, Tami has toured nationally with several groups and appeared on The Arsenio Hall Show and A&Es Goodtime Café. Dividing her time between acting and singing gigs, choral conducting, music and stage directing, jingle and voiceover work, private and public teaching—and family—Tami feels very fortunate to make her living working in the arts.