The Gravedigger's Daughter: A Novel (P.S.)

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The Gravedigger's Daughter: A Novel (P.S.)

Author(s):

Joyce Carol Oates

Label: Harper Perennial
Publisher(s):

Harper Perennial

Studio: Harper Perennial
Manufacturer: Harper Perennial
Binding: Paperback
List Price: $15.95
Our Price: $10.85
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Fleeing Nazi Germany in 1936, the Schwarts immigrate to a small town in upstate New York. Here the father?a former high school teacher?is demeaned by the only job he can get: gravedigger and cemetery caretaker. When local prejudice and the family's own emotional frailty give rise to an unthinkable tragedy, the gravedigger's daughter, Rebecca heads out into America. Embarking upon an extraordinary odyssey of erotic risk and ingenious self-invention, she seeks renewal, redemption, and peace?on the road to a bittersweet and distinctly “American” triumph.

Customer Reviews

Perfect Read for Cold Winter Nights...

Oates's newest offering follows the life of Rebecca Schwart, aka Hazel Jones, as she overcomes a legacy of despair and hate to claim her rightful place as a worthy part of society. Rebecca is born in New York Harbor aboard the ship on which her parents had escaped the Nazis. Her childhood is shadowed by her gravedigger's father's hatred and bitterness, which culminated in the ultimate destruction of her family. Rebecca is now free to cast off the demons that haunted her family and reinvent herself as Hazel Jones, embarking with her son on a journey of self discovery that finally leads her to respect, love, and finally, an acceptace of the past she sought to leave behind.

disappointing ending

It was a great book as far as character development and portraying their relationships which is why the ending was incomplete. it did not give them due justice or completeness that the characters deserved.

famous writer but a pulp solution to the problem

My teacher friends liked to relax with Danielle Steele, who is easy to read and no one is going to give her a literary award I suppose. The heroines are all poor but beautiful and uncompromising in character, just like: TA DA this one. Well, and all problems are finally solved by the appearance of an amazingly RICH man who for no obvious reason disdains the wealthy women of his social group and marries down and rescues our heroine with all his handy dough. Otherwise, Rebecca would still be showing folks to their seats in the movies and brushing her hair till it shines, whatever that means, and little Zack would have to practice piano at home on the table instead of in a mansion. I think I prefer Danielle Steele because I am not obliged to Search For A Message in all this soap opera. Wait for the movie, if there is one.

what a frustrating read!

This book was repetitive and downright frustrating to read. The only reason why I bothered to finish reading it was because I bought this book when it first came out, in the expensive hardback format!

I felt like the author just gave up towards the end of the book, it ended so abruptly and impersonally.

Check this book out from your local library if you must, but don't bother wasting your money on it.

Good, but not great

I did enjoy this book, but I think the author got a little lost towards the end and didn't know how to finish the story. I almost didn't finish it because it just got kind of boring and pointless. I also had trouble believing that the main character would end up so cultured and refined after coming from that horrible background. I know that people can overcome adversity and "live the American dream," so to speak, but this was almost hard to believe.
Overall, I think it is an interesting story and character study, but not one of my favorites.

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