Beasts
Penzler Pick,January  2002:OK, OK. I know it looks like a conflict of interest, or  favoritism, or nepotism, or some -ism or another that appears to be unethical.  But it's not. Honestly.Since I've been creating "Penzler's Picks" for Amazon.com I've never reviewed  any of the books I've published under my imprint at Carroll & Graf--until now.  I've been tempted many times, for the obvious reason that, if I like a book  enough to publish it, I'd like it well enough to recommend it. But I've resisted  for the reason noted above.My affection for and admiration ofBeasts, however, is so enormous that I  just can't help myself. I've been an admirer of Joyce Carol Oates for longer  than I care to admit. Indeed, I raved aboutBlondein these pages long  before it was nominated for a National Book Award (and should have won, in my  opinion).Beastsis a little jewel of a book, only 138 pages. Hemingway'sThe Old Man and the Seais a  perfect gem, and so are Steinbeck'sThe Red Pony, and James  Ellroy'sDick Contino's  Blues, and Henry James'sThe Turn of the Screw; the  short novel is capable of being one of an author's masterpieces. Short novels,  or novellas, allow for the author to develop characters more fully than is  possible in a short story, yet constrict them enough to maintain a single mood,  or tone, throughout the entire book, which might easily become oppressive in a  longer work.Set in an apparently idyllic New England college town,Beastsis the  story of Gillian Brauer, a student who falls in love with her professor, his  Bohemian lifestyle, and anti-establishment attitudes, and what happens when she  falls under his spell.Knowing that other girls preceded her does not deter Gillian from becoming part  of the household of Professor Harrow and his larger-than-life wife, Dorcas, the  outrageous sculptress of shocking wooden totems. Drawn into their life, Gillian  soon becomes a helpless pawn, a victim of her own passions and those of her  mentors. Or does she? Sometimes even the most seemingly powerless prey can  surprise a predator.Savor every word of this little masterpiece, as it is unlikely that you will  read anything to equal it for a long, long time.--Otto Penzler--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.