LemonSky reviewed Widow's Story by Joyce Carol Oates
Review of "Widow's Story" on 'Goodreads'
5 stars
This was a definite improvement over that oddity known as [b:The Accursed|15818440|The Accursed|Joyce Carol Oates|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1348425145s/15818440.jpg|21546059], which I made the mistake of reading. Even great authors have have errors in judgment. (Big errors.)
Joyce Carol Oates enjoyed a very close relationship with her husband, Raymond Smith, an editor and publisher who did not read her work. However, they supported each other throughout their 48-year marriage. Raymond is Joyce's rock, someone she can always depend on - until one day he's no longer there. While hospitalized with pneumonia, he develops a secondary infection that kills him - and leaves Joyce all alone.
She suffers through piles of sympathy gifts, what she describes as "epic insomnia" and deep depression, but survives it all. She finds an odd sort of refuge in "the dealing of death" - the funeral arrangements, cremation, wills, titles, death duties, etc. They are the cost of being a …
This was a definite improvement over that oddity known as [b:The Accursed|15818440|The Accursed|Joyce Carol Oates|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1348425145s/15818440.jpg|21546059], which I made the mistake of reading. Even great authors have have errors in judgment. (Big errors.)
Joyce Carol Oates enjoyed a very close relationship with her husband, Raymond Smith, an editor and publisher who did not read her work. However, they supported each other throughout their 48-year marriage. Raymond is Joyce's rock, someone she can always depend on - until one day he's no longer there. While hospitalized with pneumonia, he develops a secondary infection that kills him - and leaves Joyce all alone.
She suffers through piles of sympathy gifts, what she describes as "epic insomnia" and deep depression, but survives it all. She finds an odd sort of refuge in "the dealing of death" - the funeral arrangements, cremation, wills, titles, death duties, etc. They are the cost of being a widow.
"If I have lost the meaning of my life, and the love of my life, I might still find small treasured things amid the spilled and pilfered trash." Joyce Carol Oates
Like another reviewer said, despite the vast network of friends, colleagues, and well wishers, Joyce was alone. Truly alone. You always are in cases like this. People want to help, but they don't know how and so they often stay away. Fortunately, she is a strong, resourceful woman and she survived it. I have the greatest respect for her for that.