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Review title: A shameful performance, all around.
Product review: It's distressing to me to read the violent criticism that Oates' fans are aiming at those who disagree about their view of this really terrible novel. The word "Masterpiece" recurs with amazing regularity; the tone is almost the same in each "review." To call those who dislike this book "fascistic" is extreme, as extreme as this novel that purports to be non-fiction, and yet uses actual names. The book at times is so assaulting that one has to put it down, disgusted by some of the sexual details that Oates makes up; they amount to violent fantasies, really. To say that this book is well written is to say that one doesn't recognize good writing. Messy, has been used, and I agree with the Kirkus reviewer that called it "one of the worst novels ever written." Oates should indeed be ashamed of herself.
