Each of these stories in this collection are exceptional, although I did find the last three slightly different in tone due to their speculative nature. By far the masterpiece of the collection is The Suicide. A beautiful book. I can’t wait to read so much more of her work.

Thank you Netgalley for the eARC!

“A zero-sum game depends upon the actions of others. That is the tragedy of life lived among others. Definition of others: not-you.” -27

Composed of 12 short stories, Joyce Carol Oates’ latest collection, Zero-Sum, is a wide-ranging collection of human flaws. Centered around the idea of zero-sum economics, each story details miscalculations, aligning with the essence of the zero-sum theory where one party must win at the cost of another’s loss. In these stories, Oates shows us that in order for something to be had, that ‘something’ must have been inevitable to begin with.

For me, Zero-Sum was a slow burn. The stories in the first section were good, and each story continued to get better and better as the section progressed. The second section, The Suicide, nearly lost me. However, the third section contained all my favorite stories: The Baby-Monitor, Monstersister, and A Theory Pre-Post-Mortem. Perhaps it was the physicality of each of these stories that shifted this collection for me. While stories such as Mr. Stickum and The Cold possess their own physical attributes, they also felt more shrouded in the theories of what this collection is trying to achieve, while the latter stories simply achieved it.

What really stood out to me was Oates’ use of language. Her voice is firm, unwavering in its conviction, yet it isn’t sterile; there is an odd comfort to be found among these pages, similar to the odd (dis)comfort of the growing thing in Monstersister. Too, language is repeatedly remarked upon- its fragilities, its beauties, its studies. The importance of the word, whether spoken or written, is never up for debate; what we choose to do with this language is a question that haunts the characters scattered throughout Zero-Sum.

I would recommend this collection to anyone interested in short stories (of course), anyone looking for a place to start with Oates’ expansive catalog, and readers who are interested in stories orbiting themes of loss, motherhood, mental health, and stories that are unsettling, but not too gruesome.

Thank you so much to Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, & Anchor, as well as NetGalley, for the digital galley <3

There are several reasons one has to admire Joyce Carol Oates. She is a highly acclaimed and prolific writer, known for her vast literary output that spans a variety of styles and genres. Her work delves into the depths of human nature, exploring dark and unsettling themes that captivate readers.

Zero-Sum is a collection of twelve short stories that revolve around the theme of zero-sum games, where one person’s gain is another person’s loss. Like many of Oates’s other works, Zero-Sum delves into the darkest corners of the human psyche. It explores themes, such as obsession, power, loss, motherhood, manipulation, mental health, and ever-shifting identities. Oates fearlessly tackles complex and often taboo topics, challenging the readers to confront uncomfortable truths about the human condition and their perceptions of the world.

One of the defining characteristics of Oates’s writing is her ability to create complex, flawed, and multi-dimensional characters. In Zero-Sum, we are introduced to a diverse range of individuals, each struggling with their own internal conflicts. For instance, we encounter a brilliant young philosophy student who is struggling with her own desires and the manipulative influence of her mentor. A woman who is suffering with postpartum depression and anxiety and becomes obsessed with her baby monitor, and a suicidal writer, an homage to the writer David Foster Wallace, who had a complex relationship with obsession and struggled with depression.

Oates’s writing has always pushed boundaries and challenged societal norms. Her characters highlight the complexities of ambition, power dynamics, and the moral dilemmas one may face when pursuing their goals. Oates’s ability to create such compelling characters adds depth and authenticity to her stories, leaving a lasting impact on readers.

Although I don't read short story collections that often I jumped at the chance to read this collection by JCO (having enjoyed several of her novels).These stories are masterfully written drawing the reader into the complexities of the human mind. I had to reread a couple of them (Lovesick and Sparrow in particular) since my reaction was-wait what did I just read? The stories range from Mr. Stickum about a group of teenage girls seeking revenge on sexual predators to a famous writer contemplating suicide to women dealing with motherhood. Each was unique, thought-provoking and will stick with me for a long time. Definitely not easy reads but well worth perusing. Thanks to #NetGalley and #Knopf for providing this title in exchange for an honest review.

Joyce Carol Oates has such a strong voice in literature that it's difficult not to fly through her short stories. Which is exactly what I did with this one. Every time I read JCO it feels like meeting up with an old friend. Thanks so much for the ebook copy of Zero-Sum!

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC of short story’s by Joyce Carol Oates. Zero Sum is a collection of stories more on the darker side of contemporary life/human condition. which I love. I recommend her short story collections to anyone who has never read Oates before, it’s a good way to sample her style. Although some may find her too dark, I find her to be just about perfect.

I've enjoyed much of Joyce Carol oates work. Both full length novels and short stories. This collection like any story collection has hits and misses. But for me personally there were more misses. I will continue of course to read her in the future.

Thank you, NetGallry for an advanced copy.

I have to say that reading short stories are generally out of my realm of reading. This is one reason why I selected this to read. Getting out of my comfort zone helps me grow.

Many of these stories are dark, some memorable others no so much. While I am glad I read it, I realize this format is not to my liking.

Zero Sum by Joyce Carol Oates is a collection of twelve short stories that revolve around themes of obsession, loss, motherhood, mental health, and much more. Crisp writing, insightful observations on the human condition and an honest, almost brutal look into the darker side of human relationships and emotions make for an absorbing read.

In the first story, Zero-Sum (3.5), we meet a graduate student whose desire to impress her professor triggers a downward spiral. In Mr. Stickum (4), a group of teenagers devises an elaborate plan to punish sexual predators in their town who prey on trafficked young girls.

Lovesick (4) revolves around a young woman who confides in her former lover about receiving threatening messages from an unknown person, triggering conflicting reactions within her confidante. In Sparrow(3.75), a shocking family secret comes to light when a young woman discovers an old photograph while helping her elderly mother move into an assisted living facility.

We meet a woman who struggles to recover after a miscarriage in The Cold(4).
Take me, I am Free (3.5) depicts a darker side of motherhood where a mother, unhappy with her young daughter, attempts to give her away.

The Suicide(3.5) is a bleak, almost stream-of-consciousness narrative that delves into the mind of a writer who contemplates taking his own life. Dark and immersive, this is the longest story (a novella, to be precise) in the collection.

In The Baby-Monitor(3.5) A new mother is conflicted over the need for her baby’s safety and her need to enjoy her privacy.Monstersister(3.5) revolves around a young girl whose family dynamic shifts after bizarre events follow the discovery of a strange growth on her head.

A Theory Pre-Post-mortem (2.5) follows a couple whose recent vacation exposes them to a deadly virus. In This is Not a Drill (4), A dystopian take on a pandemic-ravaged world where the desire for human connection pushes a man to take desperate measures to interact with the outside world. M A R T H E: A Referendum (4) takes us into a futuristic setting inhabited by AI citizens.

As with most short story collections, this was a mixed bag for me. I found a few of the stories captivating, others not so much! But overall, predominantly dark and disturbing, with genres ranging from family drama to dystopian/speculative fiction, this collection is a testimonial to the author’s exceptional diverse range and writing prowess.

Many thanks to Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor and NetGalley for the digital review copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

What I really appreciate about Joyce Carol Oates is that the feeling of the book, the mood and style, stay with me long after I put the book down. With this short story collection I can spread that feeling out, read a short story and think about it, pick the book up again another day and get a different story and different mood and reflection.
Zero Sum is filled with the kind of layered, moody, and nuanced stories that you would expect from this author with a thematic examination of who we are, how we are seen by ourselves and others, with a stylized focus on relationships.
I will admit that this author can be hit or miss for me but I really liked this set of stories, there is an elegance to shorter stories that I admire because the challenge is to get me hooked quickly, to develop an idea, theme, character in less space... to do this well is to be respected!
Thank you Knopf for the ebook copy on NetGalley!

Joyce Carolina Oats has range. I’ve never read anything I didn’t like. This collection of stories were often touching. I found myself only able to read one or two a day. I don’t think I would have bee interested in running through them in one sitting. I found myself wanting to stop and think and feel when I finished them.

A decent collection. Some fairly creepy stories, some forgettable ones, as is the general theme in the JCO collections I've read recently. I got a little unnerved when the first few stories seemed to be shoe-horning in references to things being <b><i>zero-sum</i></b>, which felt really reminiscent of some flash fiction challenges I've done where you're given a particular object that has to be in the story so you contrive some weird way to mention it somewhere. Glad that fell away for the later stories.

Zero-Sum: Stories is the newest collection of stories by Joyce Carol Oates. She is getting close to publishing fifty short story collections, and this really shows the two main types of stories that she writes: stories about the interior life that dwell deep into the psyche of the main characters and the stories that are just creepy and strange, filled with killers, predators, and danger. I find that the stories driving with characters who are being introspective on topics like suicide and motherhood, do not keep me as interested as the stories that are weird and dangerous. Fortunately for Zero-Sum, this collection has both.

Joyce Carol Oates has has a long career of telling stories in her own way. She also tells stories about others in her own way. Blonde is her famous book based on Marilyn Monroe, but this is not her only writing based on famous people and events. My Sister, My Love is based on the JonBenet Ramsey case. Black Water is based on Ted Kennedy and the Chappaquiddick incident. Wild Nights! is a story collection based on the final days of five famous authors. Many of her novels are based on celebrities, unsolved crimes, and serial killers. With this knowledge in the back of my head, I was reading the longest story in the collection, “The Suicide”. This is the story about an award-winning author who is planning to kill himself but cannot get the narrative of his suicide right so he keeps rewriting the story. I I could not stop thinking that this story is based on David Foster Wallace. In this story, as well as some of her others, like “The Baby-Monitor” and “The Cold”, Oates dives deep into her characters, making us understand that there is always so much more below the surface that we should not be quick to judge people, and sometimes helping them is beyond our capacities. These stories really are character studies, and there is not always a good resolution to the events.

My favorite stories by Joyce Carol Oates are her most absurd ones. I know that she can really explain suicide and post-partum feelings, but these stories are not nearly as interesting to me as stories like “Monstersister” about a girl starts growing something weird on the back of her head, and this growth begins to take over her life, and “Mr. Stickum” about a group of girls who are going to take revenge on someone from the neighborhood whom they think is a sexual predator. These stories of absurdity and crime are much of the reason why I really read Joyce Carol Oates. She does really well with the serious stories, but the not-so-serious stories are the ones that really grab my attention.

Oates is now 85 years old and has published 160 books. For her to continue to write and publish so many novels and stories is remarkable, and we need to keep reading her books. Zero-Sum is not my favorite collection by her, but there are some really good stories in the mix. For someone who has written so much, it is still a wonder that I get excited to see what she is going to write next.

I received this as an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC! It’s always a pleasure reading a new Joyce Carol Oates release…..

At this point I basically know what I’m getting when I start a new JCO collection. Not that her writing is ever predictable—she catches me off guard more than any other author, which is maybe why someone like Gillian Flynn holds her in such high regard—but I know I’m going to receive a banquet of the unsettling, the weird, the sad, the fucking well-written. JCO is a master of the short form, duh. Who doesn’t know that? <i>Zero-Sum</i> is no different. It’s full to the brim with stories that display her brilliance.

But unlike other collections, there were no duds here—for me. With almost any short story collection from any author, I’m going to find a story or two (or more) I don’t like for whatever reason; short story collections are like records. Sometimes the deep cuts are gold. Sometimes the deep cuts are deep cuts for a reason.

There were some stories here that went a bit over my head. JCO’s writing has become in recent years a bit more experimental and manic, she’s more willing to bend a reader’s mind. I’m sure upon rereading those stories will unveil themselves more.

My highest recommendation!

Zero-Sum is a series of previously published short stories. I was a little surprised at how dark most of them were ranging from topics of children murdering sexual predators, a first-person narrative of a man who has been trying to take his own life for years, and a pandemic-ravaged hellscape in which a man travels out of his house during a period of marshal because he is desperate for human touch. While they weren't something I would normally read, I can appreciate the well-written prose and short periods of time captured by a master. And I was left thinking about many of them well after I was finished reading. It's worth a read if you're into darker, more experimental writing.

Thanks to NetGalley and Knopf for providing this title in exchange for an honest review.

Apologies to any Joyce Carol Oates fans, but this just wasn't for me!

I admit that I picked up this book not because I'd ever read anything from the author, but because the name sounded familiar (I'm not from the USA) and I enjoy short stories. Though I should probably accept by now that what I enjoy are actually *horror* short stories, because literary fiction stories, even of the unsettling type? Not so much.

I didn't enjoy the narrative style. I didn't enjoy the unnecessary overuse of parentheses. I didn't enjoy the way that key words were repeated in some stories (zero-sum showed up in, I think, the first three stories, and I assumed it was going to be the theme, but it didn't show up again after that; frisson showed up in two, italicized, which seems a way to bring the reader's attention to it - for what reason?). I didn't enjoy and see no point in the old writer's trick to avoid coming up with character names and calling them by their initials instead. Some of the stories just ended, and I couldn't find any point to them.

Rating by stories:

Zero-sum: 2⭐ A star-struck student is invited with her peers to her professor's end of class get-together. A slog to get through with no payoff.

Mr. Stickum: 4⭐ A group of teenage girls decides to get revenge on the sexual predators in their area.

Lovesick: 3⭐ A woman contacts one of her former lovers to tell him she's being threatened.

Sparrow: 3⭐ A woman returns home to visit her elderly mother and discovers a family secret.

The cold: 3⭐ A woman struggles to recover after a miscarriage. Some good thoughts about loss.

Take me, I am free: 3⭐ An unwanted child is put up for sale. That's it, that's the plot.

The Suicide: 2⭐ I DNF'ed this one, the character was so unlikeable I just kept thinking "kill yourself now".

The baby monitor: 3⭐ A new mother gets a little too obsessed with her baby's safety.

Monstersister: 4⭐ A girl discovers an unusual growth on her head.

A theory post-mortem: 2⭐ A couple gets infected on vacation.

This is not a drill: 2⭐ A really dark take on the pandemic, I don't know how I feel about it.

M A R T H E: A referendum: 4⭐ I won't spoil this one, it was one of the best.

tl;dr: Even though some of the stories were 4 star reads for me based on plot, they still shared the same things I didn't like about the book overall that I listed above. Fans of the author might rightfully find this book to be a treat, but it's not a recommended read from me.

Another powerful entry in the Joyce Carol Oates canon. Zero-Sum is a powerful read and i highly recommend it.

I really enjoyed these bites of Joyce Carol Oats. Very thoughtful pieces. One of my favorite authors too!

I really enjoyed reading this book. This is the second book I've read from the author and I think I'll continue to read her works. She really has a way with words and knows how to capture your attention from the very beginning.

No one genre is large enough to contain the works of Joyce Carol Oates. Her stories run from fiction through horror, scifi through historical fiction and beyond. Each time I read one of her books, I'm struck by how she manages to build the back story and characters so well that I'm lost in the story, spellbound into reading much, much longer than I'd planned. Even her short stories are so skillfully written that nothing is left out, no short cuts and definitely no rewinds.
Zero sum is by definition equal results on all sides. No matter the actions, the challengers win equal measures as the defenders. These stories find zero sum in the results. No matter the character's motives or beliefs, there are no winners or losers. As you step into the first chapter of the first story, Ms Oates has so skillfully built the central character that you will be surprised when the story ends. Some of the stories will require a second read before moving on. If you've never read any Oates, you have a great library of titles in your future.