Quarter 3: Week 6, Post B

Dear Joyce Carol Oates,


Nikki's storyline continues to be very sad and I must say it's starting to be a sort of depressing read. I like your writing syle a lot; it's very different from anything else I've read. However, I hope the plot gets more optimistic soon because right now it's too sad! It's hard to get through such a downer of a book, even though I like it overall.

Some parts of the storyline are much more interesting to read about than others. For instance, I'm enjoying reading about Nikki's relationship with Wally Szalla. The experience of being "the other woman" adds a certain drama to the book. Nikki's her relationship with Clare is intriguing as well. I have two sisters of my own, but my relationships with both of them are very different from Clare and Nikki's interaction. It's interesting to see such a switch from what I'm used to within my own family. It's upsetting to see them draw further away from each other during this time when they could most use the support. I hope they can make up and help each other through their time of grief and sadness.

I have yet to understand the significance of Smokey the cat. He is constantly referred to--by Nikki, Clare, Wally Szalla, and others--but I still don't really understand why he's so important to the story. Maybe some special symbolism will be revealed later on, but as of now I'm confused. Also, I'm wondering what's up with the letters between Detective Strabane and Nikki. Strabane continues to talk to Nikki and seems to feel a very personal connection to her mother's murder case. Even though Nikki keeps declining his offers to talk, it still seems pretty random that he keeps emailing her and giving her is cell phone number. I can't help but wonder after his motives.

Even though some of your story has been depressing, overall I'm enjoying it.

Thanks,
A-Rod