The Museum of Dr. Moses: Tales of Mystery and Suspense

I made it though! Whoo! I almost gave up on this collection about 4 times, but I was determined to finish it because I just wanted to experience some Oates. Here's the thing, none of these stories turned out like I expected them to. I was also filled with deja vu the entire time I was reading- hadn't I read these stories before? Somewhere? I'm pretty sure I have. At least, a story with a similar plot to “Feral”.

Forget the boxing story. I never skip pages, ever, but this time the temptation was sooooo strong. I felt like I had gone ten rounds in the end. “The Hunter” and “Bad Habits” feel like side stories from Criminal Minds episodes.

Here's what kept me reading,
“Hi!Howya Doin!” is kind of mind blowing. I had to read it twice to really appreciate it, but it's going to stick with me. I enjoyed the frantic panic of “The Twins” and “Suicide Watch” is disturbing.
I think Oates hits on the details really well, I just think the details in every story are very personal to her and therefore similar in each story. I wish I had spread this out a bit and not read them all back to back, but I'm also glad to be finished.

I also appreciate the timeless fell of Oates's stories. Is it 1980? 1952? or 1852? Does it matter, no, because the themes are pretty universal and identifiable. Except for the fact that the MC in Dr. Moses drives a car that story could have taken place in the Victorian period. It's timeless. I just wish it had been a wee more scary. Things in jars don't do it for me.

Oates' stories, especially the title story, give me that delicious, frightened feeling while reading...the certain knowledge that this cannot be going any place I want to go...I want to stop reading but I can't stop reading.... Marvelous.