If you're drawn to dark, thought-provoking fiction based on true crime, "My Sister, My Love" is a fascinating read. Joyce Carol Oates masterfully blends satire, psychological insight, and biting commentary on American culture's obsession with fame, media, and parental ambition. The novel's unusual narrative style - complete with footnotes and different textual formats - makes for a postmodern rollercoaster, and Skyler, the voice of the troubled older brother, is often bleakly funny, poignant, and brutally honest. Fans of complex characters, dysfunctional families, and social critique will find a lot to unpack here, as well as seasoned Oates lovers who enjoy her incisive, no-holds-barred approach.

Who May Not Like This Book:

This book isn’t for everyone! Some readers struggled with the novel’s sprawling length (over 500 pages), and the satirical, footnote-laden, non-linear narrative style can be hard to follow or even exhausting. The characters - especially the parents - are often deeply unlikeable and caricatured, making emotional connection tough for some. If you’re looking for a clear mystery or resolution, or you dislike bleak themes and unrelenting tragedy, you may find this a heavy, even off-putting, experience. Those sensitive to stories involving child tragedy or true crime retellings may also want to steer clear.

A daring, darkly satirical reimagining of the JonBenet Ramsey case that skewers media and parental ambition. Compulsively readable for fans of literary fiction and true crime, but its relentless gloom, unconventional style, and length won’t be for everyone.

About:

"My Sister, My Love" by Joyce Carol Oates is a gripping and intense novel that delves into the tragic story of Bliss, a prodigy girl figure skater who is murdered at the age of 8. The narrative unfolds through the eyes of Skyler, Bliss's older brother, who grapples with his own mental illness and the disintegration of their family in the aftermath of the tragedy. Oates weaves a tale that mirrors the JonBenet Ramsey case, exploring themes of parental ambition, societal values, and the impact of media sensationalism on a family torn apart by loss.

The book is written in a postmodernist style, complete with footnotes and satirical elements that critique contemporary American culture. Oates skillfully navigates the dark and disturbing aspects of the story, offering a raw and emotional portrayal of dysfunctional family dynamics, parental neglect, and the quest for identity and redemption in the face of tragedy.

Characters:

The characters are complex and deeply flawed, particularly the ambitious parents and the traumatized brother, reflecting the novel's dark themes.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is postmodern, featuring nonlinear narration, vivid descriptions, and dark humor, adding depth to the psychological exploration of the characters.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative follows the Rampike family, exploring their troubled dynamics following the tragic murder of young Bliss, paralleling the JonBenet Ramsey case.

Setting:

The setting is suburban New Jersey, highlighting themes of affluence and societal ambition.

Pacing:

The pacing is relentless and fast, reflecting the chaotic life of the characters, but can also feel overwhelming due to excessive detail.

If you look closely at this much-downloaded photo, with a magnifying glass, and the monomaniacal scrupulousness required of a Bliss Rampike cultist, you will see that Bix Rampike, “Daddy,” has also cu...

Notes:

The novel is based on the real-life murder case of JonBenet Ramsey.

The story is told from the perspective of Skyler Rampike, the older brother of the murdered girl.

Skyler's sister, Bliss, is a talented figure skater, drawing parallels to the childhood fame of JonBenet.

The parents, Bix and Betsey, are depicted as obsessed with fame and success, neglecting their children's feelings.

The narrative includes satirical elements, mocking the obsession with celebrity culture and parental ambition.

Oates explores themes of guilt, particularly Skyler's guilt over his sister's death, which haunts him throughout the story.

The book blends humor with dark commentary on American society and family dynamics.

It features a postmodern structure, including footnotes and various narrative styles.

The characters are intentionally exaggerated, reflecting the extremes of American social climbers.

Skyler's relationship with his sister, though filled with sibling rivalry, is also marked by a deep sense of loss and responsibility.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Triggers include child murder, trauma, mental illness, parental neglect, and dark themes surrounding fame and media exploitation.

From The Publisher:

Herein is the unexpurgated first-person narrative of nineteen-year-old Skyler Rampike, the only surviving child of an "infamous" American family destroyed a decade ago by the murder of Skyler's six-year-old ice-skating champion sister, Bliss, and the media scrutiny that followed. Part investigation into the unsolved murder, part elegy for the lost Bliss and for his own lost childhood, Skyler's narrative is an alternately harrowing and corrosively funny exposé of upper-middle-class American pretensions-and an unexpectedly subtle and sympathetic exploration of those who dwell in "Tabloid Hell."

2008

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612 pages

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My Sister, My Love

Joyce Carol Oates

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