Interview with Joyce Carol Oates about the Reading Life (part 1)

[@jmmonaco5680]

Oh, I have to say, I've seen many interviews wuth her but yiurs captures something that others do not. She is obviously relaxed/comfortable with you jn what appears to be an authentic way (inviting you to her house, I bet that doesn't happen often!). And I think this must be because of your questions, whjch are so well-considered and show how close you are to her writing. The question about the choice to write as opppsed to teach philosophy is great and one I wondered about myself cinsidering her many references to philosophers in her books. Your questions were fantastic as was your rapport. Feels like you're having a nuce chat over coffee and we're invited along too. So wonderful. Congratulations. Can't wait to see the next ones.

[@EricKarlAnderson]

That is so wonderful to hear and I'm glad you felt this watching it. Thank you!

[@robinlynschierenbeck3522]

A double-header when isolating for three months!

[@artiste335]

JCO is so warm and eloquent; what a lovely person! I just finished "Night.Sleep.Death.The Stars. and was blown away...her brilliance is breath-taking. This book is a masterpiece.

[@justjuanreader]

Eric, this is absolutely spectacular! Thank you so so so very much for this interview, what a great unique contribution to BookTube 😃👏🏻

[@EricKarlAnderson]

Thanks Juan! ☺️

[@jacquelinemcmenamin8204]

She would be a wonderful person to sit down and have a drink with. I could listen to her forever. So eloquent and interesting. I wish she taught courses online. She must be a fantastic teacher. And she’s a cat 🐈 lover 💕

[@lizardslaw2661]

Jacqueline McMenamin She does teach an online course on Masterclass.com. Love her too

[@august3777]

Amazing Eric. I always like when authors talk to KZbinrs, especially when the the KZbinr spends a lot of time talking about their books. I think its a really nice thing for them to do. I haven't read a Joyce Carol Oats in a while, but I look forward to reading Night Sleep.

[@EricKarlAnderson]

Yeah, I'm considering doing more interviews. It's really fun and I always find it really interesting too.

[@shawnbreathesbooks]

OMG so excited for you and so much looking forward to watching all three parts of this‼️ 😍

[@shawnbreathesbooks]

And the little boy excitement in your voice! 😍

[@EricKarlAnderson]

I can't get the smile off my face. 😄

[@AshishKumar-sr5qs]

I'm so happy...not for myself but for you.

[@EricKarlAnderson]

We should all be happy cuz... BOOKS! 📚📚📚🤗

[@ryandonagan2628]

Great interview! She is such a interesting and wise person to listen to, Looking forward to the upcoming videos!

[@EricKarlAnderson]

Thanks! 📚

[@hedgiecc]

What a lovely, flowing, interesting discussion! Great questions and JCO is so articulate. Looking forward to parts 2 & 3.

[@EricKarlAnderson]

Thank you!

[@meggy8868]

JCOates, so wonderful to get to know her in this way. I have read many of her books beginning with Them. They had a way of possessing me. I would say or do things perhaps out of character for me including a divorce. Necessary in the hindsight of years. The only other writer who had that effect on me was Robert Graves. I appreciate her so much and her generosity of openness in this interview. Thank You for bringing it to us.

[@aethikv]

You really speak like book lovers together, not trying to be overly journalistic, which makes this so authentic! What's missing is you two on a couch with a coffee 🙂

[@kimswhims8435]

I feel like I've heard you speak about Joyce Carol Oates so often, so amazing that you're actually speaking with her and sharing that with us now. A lovely conversation, thank you.

[@EricKarlAnderson]

☺️📚

[@shaunm1754]

I think you’ve structured the 3-part series smartly. How wonderful that you can interview a writer you’ve loved for so long and maintain a through-line with topics and reverence for writing/communicating. It is evident that JCO was impressed with your person and appreciation for the scope of her work. You must feel fulfilled, especially as she pretty much opened her front door to you. Great work!

[@EricKarlAnderson]

Thank you! Yes, it was an amazing experience.

[@martinr.anderson9968]

A terrific interview, Eric. Your questions were so well considered and they stimulated a compelling conversation. Congratulations!

[@EricKarlAnderson]

Thank you, cousin!!! ❤️

[@meganmahoney1749]

Thank you for sharing this amazing interview!! Joyce Carol Oates is my favorite author and she is so brilliant.

[@EricKarlAnderson]

You have great taste! 😄📚

[@garciazaccar5353]

What a wonderful event for you Eric Karl, to speak with your favorite writer and influence! To spend time with her must have been a true thrill. Most enjoyable. Best regards.

[@saintdonoghue]

Absolutely incredible

[@nancykoeppel9587]

Thank you for sharing your friend JCO with us. She is a wealth of knowledge and you are a charming interviewer and friend.

[@EricKarlAnderson]

That's kind of you to say, thank you!

[@1zangelique]

Oh I just love it! So looking forward to the next installments, Eric! Thanks so much for doing this. What a gift. (Take her up on that invite, Eric, or you'll regret it someday!)

[@EricKarlAnderson]

Yay, so glad you enjoyed it since you're an equally great JCO fan. Can you imagine getting to nose around her bookshelves? What a dream that'd be. Maybe one day!

[@Sissynex]

Thank you for interviewing her. One of my favorite writers!

[@EricKarlAnderson]

Yay! 📚

[@suedavy5394]

Wow! Like a dream come true! What a lovely interview. I never thought before seeing this that she was such a great talker. She could have gone on all night. What great questions that you put forward to her as well. Thank you for such a great interview.

[@EricKarlAnderson]

So glad you enjoyed it! 😄

[@Gagging4Lit]

congrats on this! You are so lucky to have landed this. It's incredible to hear her talking about things she likes, as well as her cats as well as literary thoughts. Thanks so much for this!

[@EricKarlAnderson]

Thanks! It was so wonderful to do. 📚

[@Gagging4Lit]

@@EricKarlAnderson definitely going to read Blonde after watching these vids too!

[@filmsyoushouldbewatching]

You should try out her Masterclass - I’ve just finished it and it was phenomenal!

[@shawnbreathesbooks]

Her comments on philosophy just blew me away, as did soooo many other things including the reveal at the end of where your blog name came from--and the fact that she hadn’t known. Ok, well on to part 2! What a phenomenal addition to BookTube this is!

[@EricKarlAnderson]

So interesting, right? I'm glad I asked that because I've never heard her discuss it before.

[@francesjohnson4741]

So excited that you got to interview her; I know how much you like her work. Hope it lived up to/exceeded your expectations 🙂

[@EricKarlAnderson]

Thanks!

[@markusjaegerliteratur]

JCO is my alltime favourite too... that's why I am going to subcribe to your channel right now... all the best from Austria...

[@EricKarlAnderson]

Glad to meet a fellow fan! Thank you!

[@gooberz19]

Thank you for this lovely interview. Bellefleur and Blonde are my personal favorites. Her short story Upholstery changed my life. Happy B-day June 16!

[@EricKarlAnderson]

Those books are so amazing. And yes, her birthday is just a week away!

[@JuanReads]

This is amazing, Eric! I could listen to you and JCO talk about literature for hours on end. I'm off to watch parts 2 and 3 now! Thanks!

[@EricKarlAnderson]

Thanks! She really has a wealth of knowledge.

[@JuanReads]

@@EricKarlAnderson It's easy to see why you are such a huge fan of hers :)

[@Leebearify]

You must be floating!! Well done Eric! You handled it so well with excellent questions. I have 4 Persian kitties curled here listening. They approve of someone who loves kitties!

[@EricKarlAnderson]

I am! ☺️📚 🐈

[@booksandhounds]

Her new book has such a gorgeous title. I loved hearing her thoughts especially about Philosophy and the human mind. Thanks for sharing this thought provoking interview! What one of her books would you suggest to someone who hasn't read her work yet?

[@michaelgarza8271]

HEAT is an absolutely stunning short story collection.

[@erun01]

Thank you so much for this, Eric! Your questions (and JCO"s answers) are very illuminating. I hope you take her up on her offer to visit Princeton and make another video when visiting!

[@EricKarlAnderson]

Thanks for watching! It'd be amazing to visit her house and film the experience of looking through her bookshelves. Can you imagine?!

[@RovingReader]

You worded that perfectly about reading as a lonely activity while also creating connection!

[@EricKarlAnderson]

Thank you! It's something I've pondered a lot.

[@kelmom25boys60]

OMG Eric! JCO is also my favorite author of all time. What an honor for you, I am so jealous but so happy for you. You were invited to your house?! When are you going and how much do I have to pay you to tag along? LOL. I used to work in Princeton and always wished that I could attend one of her classes, it would be thrilling. I am just in awe of her. I am in the middle of her new book. My goal, starting this year, is to read a JCO book every month, I would really love to be a completist of her work. Her writing never lets me down. She is one of the people that is on my dinner list, I feel like I could listen to her for hours. Wow, wow, wow!

[@EricKarlAnderson]

I'm glad you're as excited as I am about this. It was an amazing experience!

[@juliae.8237]

Wonderful! Thank you! I look forward to the next parts!

[@EricKarlAnderson]

There's a lot of more interesting things to come! 📚

[@alanshadastrokeanddiedinho2897]

It is wonderful that we have got hear from a writer. She is very nice to do this interview 😊

[@EricKarlAnderson]

I feel so lucky! ☺️📚

[@sarahmason3173]

This is awesome!!

[@angelar3045]

Wow! I was so delighted to find this in my feed today!

[@EricKarlAnderson]

☺️📚

[@carolynmorgan6033]

I'm so happy for you and thank you so much for sharing this with us!

[@EricKarlAnderson]

☺️📚

[@TheSalMaris]

Thank you for this series Eric. Great interview.

[@EricKarlAnderson]

☺️📚

[@helenejeppesen2133]

Such an experience - both for us as viewers/listeners and for you as a fan!

[@EricKarlAnderson]

It was amazing! ☺️📚

[@RovingReader]

I met her recently- how cool to interview her! I started her newest book but need to finish!

[@EricKarlAnderson]

Ah great! Hope you enjoy the rest.

[@KathleenAnnBooks]

Amazing interview...love, love, love.

[@EricKarlAnderson]

Thank you! 📚

[@marinasofia1969]

Love the comments about philosophy and have shared them with my older son, who's planning to study philosophy at university. (Of course, I believe you can discover more about the human mind and diversity of thought and feeling via literature.)

[@EricKarlAnderson]

Oh that's great! It's certainly a worthy field of study but it's interesting the limitations she notes about the history of philosophy.

[@daphbajas]

Great interview! 🤗

[@EricKarlAnderson]

Thank you!

[@Leebearify]

Oh my gosh, please ask her to come back soon so we can talk about The Hunting of the Snark...... please oh please. One of my favorite thought poems !!

[@EricKarlAnderson]

That'd be great!

[@lizhumphreys157]

Hi Eric, what a wonderful interview. Really looking forward to parts 2 and 3, and then will be back to rewatch because it is packed full of such amazing insights. Meanwhile, I am sorry to admit that I have never read anything by JCO. Where would you recommend I start with her work? Many thanks 😀

[@EricKarlAnderson]

Hi Liz, thanks so much for watching. I think a great book to begin with is her novel The Gravedigger's Daughter or her short story collection High Lonesome. But we also discuss this very question at the beginning of part 2 so it also depends on what sort of fiction you most enjoy. 📚

[@lizhumphreys157]

Eric Karl Anderson thanks so much for these recommendations, which I will definitely follow up on. I have now also listened to Part 2 - Blond sounds amazing, and important to try to get to it before seeing it on film (book first, film second is the law, right?!). So plenty of great JCO reading ahead! 😀👏🏻📚

[@Missfrankiecat]

I enjoyed that - she was very chatty!

[@EricKarlAnderson]

She is! I could have listened to her all day!

[@powwerballadss]

Great video! which is the best novel to start reading ?? I've wanted to read something about her for a long time!

[@donnadenham9198]

I have never read Joyce Carol Oates. I just picked up the book on her childhood The Lost Landscape. where do you suggest starting with her fiction?

[@EricKarlAnderson]

Her novel The Gravedigger's Daughter is a great place to start. But that memoir is also great!

[@yvettem.holland5072]

This is an engaging and enlightening conversation; thank you, Eric. How does it feel to have your favorite writer invite you to her home?

[@EricKarlAnderson]

Amazing!

[@KDbooks]

YEEEEEEEEEEEEEES

[@EricKarlAnderson]

📚

[@Alfred_51]

Thanks for that Eric

[@EricKarlAnderson]

👍

[@AuburnAfterglow]

This is SOO COOL :))

[@EricKarlAnderson]

☺️📚

[@jacquelinemcmenamin8204]

🤩🤗🎉🥳

[@EricKarlAnderson]

📚☺️📚

[@catherinejonsson4334]

😍