to the family or to the land, as might be expected in a novel about rural families; her only concern is for herself. Like Karen Herz, Clara is seeking to break away from her family to starting a new life in the chaotic world of 20th century America." The Kirkus Reviews calls it "A wrenching delineation of the culture of poverty—and how it shapes and circumscribes character." References External links Wonderland Quartet at Goodreads Novels by Joyce Carol Oates 1967 American novels Vanguard Press books