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Pursuit

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( 2,877 ratings, 435 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Pursuit by Joyce Carol Oates is a gripping thriller that delves into the life of Abby, a young woman haunted by dark childhood memories. As she prepares to marry her fiancΓ©, her traumatic past resurfaces, intertwining with a chilling mystery that forces her to confront the suppressed horrors of her life. Set against an unsettling atmosphere, the narrative explores themes of memory, trauma, and survival.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book may appeal to you if you enjoy psychological thrillers that slowly unravel deep-seated mysteries and explore the dark corners of human relationships. The narrative intricately examines themes of trauma and suspense, woven into a compelling story that keeps you on the edge of your seat. You'll appreciate the masterful storytelling and intricate character development, which are hallmarks of the author's style.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

An eerie, psychological thriller about a newlywed wife haunted by her secret, traumatic past.

An eerie, psychologically complex thriller about a newlywed wife haunted by her secret, traumatic past from one of our greatest literary imaginations.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

From Joyce Carol Oates, literary icon and author of Blonde, now a major motion picture, comes an eerie, psychologically complex thriller about a woman haunted by her traumatic past.

As a child, Abby had the same nightmare night after night, in which she wandered through a field ridden with human bones. Now an adult, Abby thinks she's outgrown her demons until, the evening before her wedding, the terrible dream returns and forces her to confront the dark secrets she is keeping from her new husband, Willem.

The following day, less than 24 hours after exchanging vows, Abby steps out into traffic. As his wife lies in her hospital bed, Willem tries to determine whether this was an absentminded accident or a premeditated plunge.

Slowly, Abby begins to open up to her husband, revealing to him what she has never shared with anyone before: the story of a terrified mother; a jealous, drug-addled father; and a daughter's terrifying captivity.

With a suspenseful, alternating narrative that travels between the present and Abby's tortured childhood, Pursuit is a meticulously crafted, deeply disquieting tale that showcases Oates's masterful storytelling.

Reviews for Joyce Carol Oates:

'A writer of extraordinary strengths.' Guardian

'Oates chillingly depicts the darkness lurking within the everyday.' Sunday Express

'Both haunting and sublime.' Literary Review

'Splendidly chilling.' Financial Times

'Visceral, psychologically involving, and socially astute.' Booklist

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Joyce Carol Oates' Pursuit is a gripping and intense tale, praised for its precise prose and eerie atmosphere. The story explores themes of demons and toxic masculinity juxtaposed against a fragile female protagonist, showcasing Oates' ability to evoke tension with poetic language. Reviewers highlight the novel's gripping intensity, capturing the reader's imagination with its dark narrative.

Book Hero reading reviews

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781838933043

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 06 August 2020

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Head of Zeus

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 18.0mm

Width: 128.0mm

Height: 196.0mm

Weight: 160g

Pages: 224

About the Author

Joyce Carol Oates, literary icon, is the author of more than 70 books, including the bestselling novels We Were the Mulvaneys and Blonde. Among her many honours are the PEN/Malamud Award for Excellence in Short Fiction and the National Book Award. Oates is the Roger S. Berlind Distinguished Professor of the Humanities at Princeton University, and has been a member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters since 1978.

Follow Joyce on @JoyceCarolOates

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