Each of these stories is an interior monologue, some plummeting depths that only a writer of Joyce Carol Oates's virtuosity can carry off. Here we encounter the damaged psyche of a cloned Marilyn Monroe, one of Manson's girls who at the age of 70 has not found redemption, a writer seeking to inveigle a young woman and unable to see the truth of her life. Read back to back, it's heavy stuff.

I have listened to four of these short stories now and I think I'm going to stop!! These stories are dark and some are very disturbing.

I remembered the reason why I shy away from this author. You never know what you are getting and her writing is so incredibly intricately described.

I grew tired of the narration and was no longer interested in the stories.

Night, Neon by Joyce Carol Oates, narrated by Chelsea Stephens and Joe Hempel

When I read short stories, I can finish them feeling like there wasn't enough, so I think I'm better suited to full length novels. But getting to listen to nine short stories, one after another, allowed me to move on from each, without feeling like I needed more, and this allowed me to feel more satisfied with what I heard. Also, I realize that I am more open to short stories when they are audio recordings. Each one of these stories is dark, many of the people are vile in one way or another. I know it helped that I heard them all together, so I don't dwell on them. I don't think I've ever read Joyce Carol Oates before listening to this audiobook. I'm going to look more of her work now.

"Detour" Sad, disturbing, and reality for some.

"Curious" An egocentric, cynical, obsessive writer intrudes into the life of someone he considers worthy of his notice. As flat as the main character.

"Miss Golden Dreams 1949" Pay for it and you'll pay for it

"Wanting" Was it worth it?

"Parole Hearing, California Institution for Women, Chino, CA" Disgusting excuses, all fake.

"Intimacy" The assault of words...terrifying

"The Flagellant" It's never his fault.

"Vaping: A User's Manual" One way the horror could happen/does happen.

"Neon, Night" Dysfunctional woman drawn to dysfunction.

Thank you to HighBridge Audio and NetGalley for this ARC.