"We Were the Mulvaneys" is a novel by Joyce Carol Oates that tells the story of the Mulvaney family, who live in a rural community in New York. The family appears to be perfect and successful, but a traumatic event shatters their lives and leads to their gradual disintegration. The narrative explores themes of family, loss, and the impact of societal judgment. As the story unfolds, each family member copes with the aftermath of the tragedy in different ways, highlighting the complexities of human relationships and the struggle for redemption.