The Waterfall (novel)

The Waterfall is a novel by Joyce Carol Oates, published in 1969. It tells the story of the breakdown of a marriage following a tragic accident and the subsequent affair of the protagonist, a young woman named Karin, with her husband's brother. The novel explores themes of grief, guilt, sexuality, and the destructive power of secrets within a family. It is notable for its fragmented narrative structure, switching between first-person and third-person perspectives to represent the fractured mental state of the central character. The Waterfall is often cited for its unflinching depiction of female sexuality and its exploration of the psychological consequences of trauma. While critically acclaimed, it has also been the subject of controversy due to its explicit content.