A Fair Maiden

By: Joyce Carol Oates

Narrated by: Angela Goethals

Length: 5 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's summary

Sixteen year-old Katya Spivak is out for a walk on the gracious streets of Bayhead Harbor with her two summer babysitting charges when she's approached by silver-haired, elegant Marcus Kidder. At first, his interest in her seems harmless, even pleasant, like his name - a sort of gentle joke. His beautiful home, the children's books that he's written, his classical music, the marvelous art in his study, his lavish presents to her: Mr. Kidder's life couldn't be more different from Katya's drab working-class existence back home in South Jersey, or more enticing.

But by degrees, almost imperceptibly, something changes, and posing for Mr. Kidder's new painting isn't the light-hearted endeavor it once was. What does he really want from her? And how far will he go to get it?

©2009 The Ontario Review, Inc. All rights reserved (P)2009 BBC Audiobooks America

Critic reviews

"Fans of Oates' gothic stylings will not be disappointed...and Katya's belligerent exuberance ("He wants me! Me, me!") gives the prose plenty of punch." (Booklist)

Intense, Sad, and Gripping

This was the first book I read of Oates, and I loved it. It is very like a modern-day Lolita, but told from the young girl’s POV.

At once it feels wrong; Katya is repulsed and repelled by this old man who seems to lust after her and ply her with sweet words and pay her like she’s a prostitute. It also feels right; she is intrigued, enthralled, captivated by the innocent admiration of the talented old soul. She feels loved as she never had before, adored for her beauty and youth.

Her family abandoned her, she has no friends, and no one seems to appreciate her for who she is. Katya is desperate to please, but proud and headstrong. She is lonely, but untrusting of everyone, most of all herself. She is compassionate, but stubborn. Mr Kidder brings out all the best and worst in her, and awakens her to what she is truly capable of.

My only complaint is that the author repeatedly references accents, but the narrator does not affect any accents. Regardless of that, it was a wonderful listen and made me want to look at more of JCO’s books.

Not my favorite JCO work

but I was not, as other reviewers have said they were, repulsed. Was I made to feel uncomfortable? Absolutely! But also pity and sorrow. This work must be viewed as an adult fairytale to be appreciated. Think Bluebeard combined with Cinderella only with a creepy old gentleman as the fairy godmother…

I believe I’d have enjoyed it more with a different narrator. I’m sure that Ms Goethals was chosen to portray the voice of a naive teenager but so much of the sharp poetry that is Joyce Carol Oates was lost.

A novella take on a classic

A Fair Maiden, is reminiscent of Anna Karenina in a basic sense. The premise of an older man falling in love with a young teenage girl. Carol Joyce Oates has written many engrossing and enticing novels. Regardless of how you feel about the subject it’s a memorable story.

Ew.

I guess it’s supposed to portray a connection that goes beyond age and time, but when you strip away that facade it’s just kind of gross.

Better than the Reviews

Before listening I read many negative reviews. In listening, the story line makes sense, however it be disturbing, and sheds light on grooming, poverty, and abuse.

The ending was not my favorite and turned out to be a bit too fairytale like in my opinion. But, she’s not poor anymore so there’s that!

Too long and wordy. Characters were not Believeable.

Not for me. In my opinion, great lengths taken to make the pedophile a sympathetic character. Overall- too long.

Circa 1980s Lolita

I love Lolita (and My Dark Vanessa) so this topic didn't creep me out. I find the psychological aspect fascinating. How does a teenager become enchanted with such an older man? The writing is more literary like Lolita so that may take some getting used to. The narration is great. The ending will leave you thinking long after the listen is over.

Its Not what I was Expecting

I'm not really sure what to make of this story. The ending is uncomfortably beautiful, and I guess the rest is just uncomfortable.

Best Listen I’ve Had All Summer

The plot was engaging, the main character carefully nuanced, and the overall experience was very gratifying. I had to suspend my disbelief quite a bit, but if I wanted total verisimilitude I’d read nonfiction.

Should have provided trigger warning

A gripping story that made me cringe just about every 5 seconds. All predators and no hero/heroine. Had a known of all the sexual violence this story would portray, I would not have selected it...