Tuesday, January 10, 2006

"The Sons of Angus MacElster" by Joyce Carol Oates

Due to popular demand, we finally present a story by American author Joyce Carol Oates, which is in its own way a retelling of Ovid's account of Diana and Actaeon. In this story of violent revenge set on Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia in 1923, no one is turned into a stag, though a cruel father does meet more than his comeuppance. Read by Scoot.

By 2010 it is estimated that Joyce Carol's collected works will require new annexes in most public libraries and will number in the hundred-thousands. Seriously, it is hard to imagine a more prolific writer (Asmiov, anyone?), one who has to rely on a couple pseudonyms as well to keep her publishers on their toes. From her one-room schoolhouse in rural New York state to her establishment at the solid center of America's literary scene, Oates has entertained and dazzled readers since the 1960s. Our favorite Oates title: You Must Remember This, Because It is Bitter, and It is My Heart, which is even better than her famous story of a girl gone wrong, Where Are You Going? Where Have You Been?

4 comments:

Jane said...

Thank you! Joyce Carol Oates is one of my favorite authors. She has written hundreds of short stories. I hope you read another of hers soon!

Scoot said...

Thank you for your kind comments, Jane. We like Ms. Oates, too, and hope to come back to her eventually--but have so many more authors waiting in line! Too many writers, not enough time...

We hope you keep tuning in!

Jane said...

So true! So many writers, so little time. I've subscribed to your RSS feed now so I won't miss the new posts.

Scoot said...

Thank you! We hope not to disappoint, but remember to listen sparingly and at your own hazard. And we hope you'll meet other authors you might like almost as much as Ms. Oates.