JCO: Oates periods

Hello all,

I've recently read Gavin Cologne-Brooks' "Dark Eyes On America" and have been
musing over the timeline he has constructed of Oates's career. He splits it up
into three basic sections. 1964-78, the early part which he feels is private
and introspective. 1978-85, a middle period of radical experimentation dealing
with transitions. And 1985 to present, the latter part which he views as more
social and multi-voiced.

I'm personally tempted to see another split at "Blonde", although I can't quite
put my finger on why. It's quite possible that this idea only has to do with
external circumstances and not with the works themselves. Perhaps because it
was published in 2000, a nice round number, and because it was around this time
that she abandoned her Rosamund Smith pseudonym and switched to Lauren Kelly.
Or perhaps quite simply that it was around this time that I really got into
reading her works.

What do you think? If my question manages to provoke some thought and get some
discussion going again, I will indeed be very proud. If not, I'll just give up
on all this thinking and go take a nap!

Best,
Tanya
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