I love that this ghost story is set in a modern-day suburb.
I love the little disturbing touches, such as the history of the musical piece, the look of the fence and where and how the car is parked.
I love that much is hinted at, yet little is explained.
Yes, there are so many Oates stories I could have chosen.
But I chose a newer one because I think that, after a certain point, some among the literati simply gave up on keeping up with Oates, and that's a shame.
She hasn't lost a thing, especially when it comes to her short stories.
The reveal - and ending - in this one has stuck with me as strongly as any of her earlier gothic tales.
You can read "The Jesters" free via The Virginia Quarterly Revue's online edition, where it was originally published in 2013.
I love the little disturbing touches, such as the history of the musical piece, the look of the fence and where and how the car is parked.
I love that much is hinted at, yet little is explained.
Yes, there are so many Oates stories I could have chosen.
But I chose a newer one because I think that, after a certain point, some among the literati simply gave up on keeping up with Oates, and that's a shame.
She hasn't lost a thing, especially when it comes to her short stories.
The reveal - and ending - in this one has stuck with me as strongly as any of her earlier gothic tales.
You can read "The Jesters" free via The Virginia Quarterly Revue's online edition, where it was originally published in 2013.