Author Joyce Carol Oates is one of the most prolific writers of our day. Some of her notable novels include The Tattooed Girl, Black Girl/White Girl and You Must Remember This. Her 36th novel, titled The Gravedigger's Daughter, was released yesterday. It features one of Oates' favorite types of protagonist — the tormented woman who grows to be independent.

In The Gravedigger's Daughter, parents Jacob and Anna escape Nazi Germany with their two sons to start a new life in the United States. Daughter Rebecca, the book's namesake, is born on the boat to America to a downtrodden, destitute family. She can't ever remember seeing her parents happy.

When the family reaches upstate New York, Jacob cannot find a job, so he is forced to take a position as a gravedigger. The family becomes increasingly unhappy as Jacob spirals out of control, denying the family's Jewish heritage.

Finally, this miserable family scene culminates in a tragic murder-suicide in which Jacob kills Anna before shooting himself. He almost kills Rebecca in the process, though she manages to escape.

Fast forward a few years, and Rebecca has married typecast traveling beer salesman Niles Tignor, a relationship reeking of dramatic irony as the audience knows Rebecca is making a mistake that she is blind to.

Shortly after, for the second time in her life, Rebecca must flee a man trying to kill her. Niles nearly beats her to death, but Rebecca manages to escape with her son Niley. Pursued by a deranged husband, she assumes an alias for herself and Niley. Henceforth, Rebecca is known as Hazel Jones, and Niley as Zacharias.

The climax of The Gravedigger's Daughter is a confusing culmination of events that begs for a re-read. Suffice it to say that Rebecca/Hazel's story of the hunted vs. the hunter plays out in a big way as she tries to both come to grips with the horrors in her life and nurture her son's budding musical talent.

Any of Oates' novels are worthy novels to read, though the author certainly has started to recycle plots after 36 books. If you're an Oates' fan or if you've never read any of her work before, The Gravedigger's Daughter is for you.