62 pages • 2 hours read
We Were the Mulvaneys
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Book Brief
454
Novel • Fiction
Chautauqua Valley, New York • 1970s
1996
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
We Were the Mulvaneys by Joyce Carol Oates, set in 1970s rural Northeastern U.S., explores the collapse of the seemingly perfect Mulvaney family after a traumatic event involving their daughter Marianne disrupts their unity. The novel follows each family member's struggles and the long-term impact on their lives, culminating in a poignant family reunion years later. Sensitive topics regarding sexual assault are present.
Melancholic
Dark
Contemplative
Bittersweet
Emotional
Reviews & Readership
104,562 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Joyce Carol Oates' We Were the Mulvaneys explores the complexities and fractures within a seemingly perfect family. Critics praise Oates' poignant narrative and rich character development. However, some readers find the pacing uneven and the story's emotional depth overwhelming. Overall, it’s a compelling examination of family dynamics and the repercussions of trauma.
Who Should Read We Were the Mulvaneys?
A reader who enjoys complex, character-driven family sagas would relish We Were the Mulvaneys by Joyce Carol Oates. Ideal for fans of The Prince of Tides by Pat Conroy and The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough, this novel explores themes of trauma, resilience, and the intricate dynamics within a family.
104,562 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Marianne Mulvaney
Marianne Mulvaney
The sheltered and religious only daughter of the Mulvaney family, popular at school and marked by her experiences at the Valentine's prom.
Patrick Mulvaney
Patrick Mulvaney
The academically gifted and introspective second child of the Mulvaney family, who attends Cornell University and struggles with his identity within the family.
Michael Mulvaney
Michael Mulvaney
The patriarch of the Mulvaney family, who comes from a large, challenging family background and carries the burdens of his past into his adult life and family dynamics.
Judd Mulvaney
Judd Mulvaney
The youngest member of the Mulvaney family, serving as the novel's narrator, who grows up observing his family's challenges and transformations from a youthful, somewhat removed perspective.
454
Novel • Fiction
Chautauqua Valley, New York • 1970s
1996
Adult
18+ years
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