Cardiff, by the Sea

In her collection of novellas, Joyce Carol Oates explores the psychological depths of women facing threats from the past and present. The stories are suspenseful and chilling, with themes of trauma, isolation, and the supernatural.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 416 pages
Publication date: 08 July 2021
Publisher: Head of Zeus

From the acclaimed mind of Joyce Carol Oates, the literary icon behind the iconic novel BLONDE, comes a collection of four psychologically daring and chillingly suspenseful stories that explore the complex and often perilous terrain of women's lives. In "The House in Cardiff," a Pennsylvania academic inherits a house in Cardiff, Maine, from a stranger, only to uncover a terrifying trauma from her past. Meanwhile, in "The Cat," a lonely pubescent girl befriends a feral cat that becomes her fierce protector against the increasingly aggressive men that surround her. In "The Pregnant Girl," a brilliant but shy college sophomore realizes she is pregnant and, in a moment of despair, allows a distinguished visiting professor to take her under his wing. And in "The Dead Wife," a widower remarries, only to find his young bride haunted by the voice of his dead wife dancing in the wind.

These novellas are a testament to Joyce Carol Oates's exceptional storytelling skills, as she delves into the depths of human emotion and the supernatural. With her vivid descriptions and intricate characterizations, Oates creates a world that is both haunting and sublime, leaving readers on the edge of their seats. "The House in Cardiff" is a particularly powerful tale, as the academic uncovers the dark secrets of her past and is forced to confront the demons that have been haunting her for years. "The Cat" is a heart-wrenching story of survival and resilience, as the girl forms a deep bond with her feline companion and learns to trust in herself and her instincts. "The Pregnant Girl" is a poignant exploration of the complexities of young love and the choices that women must make in the face of adversity. And "The Dead Wife" is a haunting meditation on the nature of memory and the power of the past to shape our present.

Joyce Carol Oates is a writer of extraordinary strengths, and her work has been praised by critics worldwide. "The House in Cardiff" was described by the Daily Mail as a "stylish, suspenseful quartet of novellas tinged with the supernatural," while the Guardian praised her for "chillingly depicting the darkness lurking within the everyday." The Sunday Express called her work "both haunting and sublime," and the Literary Review praised it as "splendidly chilling." The Financial Times described her as "visceral, psychologically involving, and socially astute," and Booklist praised her as "a writer of extraordinary strengths."

In conclusion, Joyce Carol Oates's collection of novellas, "The House in Cardiff," "The Cat," "The Pregnant Girl," and "The Dead Wife," is a must-read for anyone who loves psychological suspense and the supernatural. With her vivid descriptions and intricate characterizations, Oates creates a world that is both haunting and sublime, leaving readers on the edge of their seats. These novellas are a testament to her exceptional storytelling skills and will continue to captivate readers for years to come.

Weight: 288g
Dimension: 129 x 197 x 30 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781800241411