Joyce Carol Oates

The Sacrifice Joyce Carol Oates

Publisher Marketing:"New York Times "bestselling author Joyce Carol Oates returns with an incendiary novel that illuminates the tragic impact of sexual violence, racism, brutality, and power on innocent lives and probes the persistence of stereotypes, the nature of revenge, the complexities of truth, and our insatiable hunger for sensationalism. When a fourteen-year-old girl is the alleged victim of a terrible act of racial violence, the incident shocks and galvanizes her community, exacerbating the racial tension that has been simmering in this New Jersey town for decades. In this magisterial work of fiction, Joyce Carol Oates explores the uneasy fault lines in a racially troubled society. In such a tense, charged atmosphere, Oates reveals that there must always be a sacrifice of innocence, truth, trust, and, ultimately, of lives. Unfolding in a succession of multiracial voices, in a community transfixed by this alleged crime and the spectacle unfolding around it, this profound novel exposes what and who the sacrifice actually is, and what consequences these kind of events hold for us all. Working at the height of her powers, Oates offers a sympathetic portrait of the young girl and her mother, and challenges our expectations and beliefs about our society, our biases, and ourselves. As the chorus of its voices from the police to the media to the victim and her family reaches a crescendo, "The Sacrifice" offers a shocking new understanding of power and oppression, innocence and guilt, truth and sensationalism, justice and retribution. A chilling exploration of complex social, political, and moral themes the enduring trauma of the past, modern racial and class tensions, the power of secrets, and the primal decisions we all make to protect those we love "The Sacrifice "is a major work of fiction from one of our most revered literary masters." Review Citations: Audio File 04/01/2015 pg. 44 (EAN 9781481532792, Compact Disc) - *Starred Review Library Journal Prepub Alert 08/01/2014 pg. 58 (EAN 9780062332974, Hardcover) Kirkus Reviews 11/15/2014 (EAN 9780062332974, Hardcover) Publishers Weekly 11/24/2014 (EAN 9780062332974, Hardcover) Booklist 12/15/2014 pg. 24 (EAN 9780062332974, Hardcover) - *Starred Review New York Times Book Review 02/01/2015 pg. 13 (EAN 9780062332974, Hardcover) Essence 03/01/2015 pg. 58 (EAN 9780062332974, Hardcover) Contributor Bio:  Oates, Joyce Carol Joyce Carol Oates is one of our most important and well known writers and one of America s foremost writers of the short story form. She is also a regular contributor of reviews and criticism for the New York Times Book Review, The New York Review of Books, and elsewhere. She also reads and lectures widely throughout the US, at universities and bookstores. Contributor Bio:  Turpin, Bahni Bahni Turpin is an ensemble member of Cornerstone Theater Company. Based in Los Angeles, Bahni has appeared in numerous television productions as well as films. She is also a yoga instructor, and the founder of SoLA Food Co-op. Contributor Bio:  Johnson, Sisi Aisha Sisi Aisha Johnson has narrated numerous audiobooks, including titles by Rita Williams-Garcia, Sharon M. Draper, and Jacqueline Woodson.