Evil Eye: Four Novellas of Love Gone Wrong

The new collection of novellas from Oates presents an excellent vehicle to showcase the talents of four talented narrators. Each performer does a first-rate job of matching the unique atmosphere that Oates creates in these four works. Donna Postel’s ethereal and exotic quality perfectly fits the macabre elements of the title work, which explores the unraveling of marital secrets and the journey toward madness. For “So Near Anytime Always,” Luci Christian effectively captures both the angst and confusion of a teenage female protagonist and the creepy manipulations of her mysterious boyfriend turned stalker. Chris Patton, in “The Execution,” convincingly brings to life the dark rage of a privileged fraternity boy toward his perfectionist father and co-dependent mother. In “The Flatbed,” Tamara Marston methodically weaves together the range of emotions faced by an adult victim of child sexual abuse, from shame and repression to outrage and vengeance. The performances are gripping across-the-board making for a standout listening experience. A Mysterious Press hardcover. (Sept.)