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Solstice: A Gripping Psychological Novel of Women's Friendship, Love, and Fatal Obsession

Joyce Carol Oates
4.0 / 5.0
Published: 2019 ISBN: 9780062795779

Description

Sheila Trask is a woman defined by her reserve and her analytical mind, until she meets Monica Jensen. Monica is everything Sheila is not: vibrant, impulsive, and magnetically chaotic. What begins as a chance encounter between two strangers in a provincial town quickly deepens into an intense, all-consuming bond that defies simple categorization. Their connection is a rare exploration of the profound intimacy possible between two women whose lives become inextricably tangled, blurring the lines between friendship and a singular, life-altering devotion. As their relationship flourishes, the atmosphere shifts from intellectual curiosity to a haunting, psychological entanglement. This is not a conventional romance; it is a complex portrait of two souls anchored to one another by secrets, unspoken desires, and an obsession that threatens to consume them both. Through masterful prose, the narrative examines the fragility of identity when we see ourselves reflected in another person. It is a brilliant, unsettling look at how much of ourselves we are willing to surrender for the sake of love. Perfect for readers who appreciate literary depth and the darker, more visceral complexities of human connection, this story lingers long after the final page is turned, challenging what it truly means to belong to someone else.

Customer Reviews

Top 3 from Amazon
A
Amazon Customer
March 6, 2018
Verified Purchase

Oates has long been one of my favorite authors. I read this book a long time ...

Oates has long been one of my favorite authors. I read this book a long time ago, and decided it would be a good gift for one of my granddaughters. It's the story of a complex friendship of an older woman and a younger one, taking place over one solstice. The writing is terrific and the relationship interesting and complicated as they face different events in their own lives. Few other writers know this much about women, what they learn from each other and what their exchanges are that make them so rewarding. Haven't heard an assessment from the granddaughter.
L
LadyJingly
January 9, 2016
Verified Purchase

Title with many meanings

This book is a rarity, as it is literary fiction that focuses on two unrelated women and their friendship/relationship with one another. I read this book every January, as it has a very bleak feel about it. The title has many meanings---as with many of Oates' books, there is more to chew on with each reading. "Solstice" as in the title of Sheila's husband's work at the academy, "solstice" as in the light and dark struggling for dominance, and of course, it is clear in the story's timeline that Sheila's darkness takes control of their friendship toward the winter solstice, and Monica (the "blond, light" presence) attempts to take control approaching the summer solstice. However, there are no clear answers here. A great read.
B
Bonnie Brody
May 31, 2009

Oates Gets At the Heart of the Unspoken

In this novel, the relationship between two women is examined primarily from a cerebral and highly emotional perspective. Most of the action is internal. The book is mysterious and mystical at the same time. There are undertones of entrapment, sexual longing and cultural taboos. Oates gets at the heart of the unspoken and is able to communicate it beautifully.