The Doll-Master and Other Tales of Terror

I really enjoyed this book a lot. For me, this was a different take on terror without it being a traditional horror book. The characters are strong but ordinary people that have been thrown into extraordinary circumstances. The terror was so subtle that it gave you the chance to imagine the terror that the characters are going through.This was a solid anthology and each story was strong in it's own right. Which is refreshing since almost all anthologies have at least one story that doesn't fit or isn't as good as the rest. I feel this is one book I would be able to read over and over and find something new each time I read it. So yes, I would recommend this book.

However, I've never read her short stories. I'm usually simply not a fan of short stories. That said, this book is amazing. For sophisticated goulishness, (if the IS such a word!), This book is incomparable. Nobody does character development like JCO! You will find yourself feeling sympathetic about some of the most fiendish characters in this book. Enjoy!

Joyce Carol Oates’ writing is very nuanced, the horror is subtle. So subtle that I felt I was left hanging at the end of the stories I read and got tired of it and did not finish this book. This says more about me and my reading tastes than it does about the legendary JCO. Her writing is flawless, superb. I guess I’m just a bit dim and I like my horror to be spelled out a little more for me.I recommend this book for readers of a higher level of literary appreciation.

The subtleness of Oates' works are mesmerizing and allows the reader to process the terrifying meanings at the reader's own depth and abilities. I was consumed with these stories, almost as though entranced. I awoke from the last story, as though waking from an all consuming dream in which the real world felt stark and invasive.

This book of tales by Joyce Carole Oates will be so satisfying to lovers of intrigue and macabre mysteries, which delightfully abound in the pages of this book. And when human nature, at its worst and most pitiful comes into play--- well, you just have a highly entertaining book.

Pretty good for short stories. Scary and creepy but not well reserched for example a story that was supposed to take place in the early 60s ,a neighbor called 911. I think most people realise 911 didn't start until the 80s! Most stories had a lot if gun obsession but not much gun knowledge.

Not one to read lots of short stories but the price was right and I've enjoyed some of JCO's books, so I gave this collection a shot. Tales of terror? Huh? Stories ended just as expected; others ho-hum. Best thing I can say? Reading this while travelling it was easy to pick up, read a story during a meal, and just putting it down.

This is my first reading of Joyce Carol Oates and should not be the last. The stories are more bizarre than is my usual interests, but the book is so well written that I did not want to put it down.

Very pleased with product

Some stories slightly better than others but no question, a great read!