The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao

On multiple occasions you'll double over with laughter and at the same time your heart will break. This is a literary gem that encompasses a very specific side of the human experience. Can't recommend it highly enough.

This is a phenomenal book written in a very unconventional style. And if you grew up in an ESL home, you'll love it even more.

when the form/content nexus hits it hits. 4.5.

“you can't regret the life you didn't lead.”

These words have occupied the back of my mind since I first read this book years ago. When I decided to reread Oscar Wao this year, I wondered if this line would jump out - it sure did, and has never meant more to me.

This is a tragic story of growing up, familial pressure and struggles, a culture you don't necessarily understand or agree with, and much more. If you've ever felt like the outcast or the nerd, give this book a try.

The f-ing thing never arrived...
sigh

It wasn't what I thought it would be.
The narration begins in Oscar's childhood, but the story itself starts back in the 50s, or so, with Oscar's grandfather being imprisoned and his family broken, and assumably cursed, to never be able to succeed in love.
Only the youngest daughter survives and is rescued by her aunt, who raises her. She has her own unhappy love story with a “gangster” when she was 15-16, which ended with her being sent to New York to keep her safe.
We follow Oscar and his sister, Lola.
Some parts are narrated by Lola's boyfriend Yunior.

My husband and I started a tradition a couple of years ago of used books as stocking stuffers, and this was one of his gifts to me this year. And it was quite a gift. A beautiful and tragic story packed with enough Lord of the Rings references to stump any hardcore nerd. I love the blend of narration, the effortless switch between DR history and the second age of Middle Earth, the magical mongooses (mongeese?). It's called the life of Oscar, but it shows how Oscar's life is also echoing and ricocheting off of his sister, mother, grandmother, great grandfather, and deep down his cultural roots. It does it with gorgeous prose and a depth of emotion. Definitely worth the read even this late to the party.

I'm not sure what I was expecting when I started this book, but it definitely wasn't what I got. At first, I was really confused with all of the jumping around with narrations, and bouncing between generations. I didn't think that the connections were explained as well as they could have been. I also didn't like the way the male narrator described Oscar. It seems that almost every comment featured something negative about Oscar's weight, nerdiness, or desperation to find a girlfriend.

if I remember correctly, the only reason that Junior even moves in with Oscar is that he feels bad for him, and wants to get good with Lola

I don't know really anything about the history of the Dominican Republic, but I feel that a lot of the things discussed about Trujillo were unnecessary.

I think I could have done without reading this book, but it's definitely not the worst one I've read this year.

This was epic. I loved every character in this book and even though I KNEW what was coming, I was unprepared for it emotionally. Whoo. Going to have to take a reading break for a minute. That said, I did find it slowed down for a bit for me (especially in the story of Abelard) and I found myself getting impatient to get back to Oscar and Lola. I'm coming away with the idea that maybe everyone's family is the victim of some sort of Fuku.

I finished this audio book. However, there were times I was distracted and wasn't listening. There were times I walked away and came back, but did not rewind. I didn't need to rewind. The book was way too long. I had to renew the book, because I couldn't stand to pick it up often. A majority of the book was boring. There was a little section at the beginning of the 2nd part that was slightly interesting. The end was just O.K. But the author had a really hard time letting go of the story. The ending was what I would call a double ending. The author basically ended the book, and then kept going, so he had to end it again.

In general, I asked myself, Why?
First, why did so many people give it good reviews? Does this author have some sort of social network that would love anything he does?
Why would someone spend so much time writing so many pages about so little?
Why did the author need to use foul and politically incorrect language much of the time?
Why would anyone care to read about Oscar Wao?

I read over 65 books this year, from several different genre. A majority of the books I gave three to five stars. I don't give one or two stars frequently.
I always attempt to read books to the end and not give up. And even though I finished it, this is one I wanted to stop less than one-third of the way through.
My thoughts - don't waste your time.

That's a pretty good book. I truly enjoy when a story also gives me some historical context of things that I'm not familiar with. So with a vivid background of Dominican Republic (or like in the book “The DR”) recent history, the story moves smoothly between lighter and heavier moments, without ever losing momentum. It is truly a pleasure to read a book so original and fresh.

This book may have the greatest introductory chapter I've ever read.

This book is a post-modern family epic couched in Dominican culture, history, and folklore. It follows the sad life of an overweight sic-fi nerd's struggle with cultural/stereotypical machismo expectations (being a Dominican man) and his inability to be with any women due to aforementioned weight/overt neediness, and how this somehow delegitimizes him as a human. Díaz employs a super interesting narrative style that includes footnotes explaining the Dominican dictatorship of the 20th century via footnotes, interjections sci-fi and pop culture references, and playful Spanglish.

Overall I liked it and it was like nothing I've read before, but I had a hard time getting really absorbed in it.

I feel so outraged after reading this, how can you create such beautiful characters and still make the book about yourself?

This is probably the most conflicting book I've ever read. On one hand the first 4 or so chapters are some of the most beautiful and interesting character depictions I have ever read. However, everything after we are introduced to the narrator just leaves such an awful taste in my mouth.

When I first started reading the book the tone of the author was revolutionary. It was as if I was sitting in a bar and I was being told a story with more detail than they could tell. The first couple chapters are so full of information that it comes across as fact, like everything is genuine. Using footnotes to continue the story too, was very interesting and I was surprisingly yearning for more.

The use of Spanish was also well done, but I did feel left out at parts where a whole sentence or so was in it with no explanation.

Additionally the deft that cancer is talked about is amazing and it made me truly believe in the Pullitzer win.

However. When we are introduced to the narrator character he brags about how “[Oscar] loved writing the way that I loved cheating” and that he had “three fine-ass bitches at the same time”. Like jesus christ that's not cool, why is your personality based on the fact you are a nymphomaniac.

Just before reading this chapter I learned about the allegations against Diaz during this time and allowed me to realise that the narrator is probably a Mary Sue. Disgusting.

Where the book really lost me was when the narrator starts just straight up insulting Oscar. I was very sympathetic to Oscar and wanted to see him realise that his worth was not defined by his virginity (more on that later). However the narrator cannot stop bringing up how disgusting his weight is, how is passions are stupid and how he should realise getting pussy is the only motivator in life.

After this we are introduced to the mother, Beli, and he c a n n o t stop talking about how she has massive boobs. We get it. You want to fuck your girlfriends mum. Ace.

Okay and the ending. What the literal fuck. Why does Oscar think sacrificing himself is worth it. Why doesn't Beli step in and say “yo, I literally did this and almost died. learn.” Oscar and this ‘puta' aren't even friends ???? like they have 0 common interests. Why do they actually kill Oscar? like if I was the capitan I'd take pity on him bc he is obviously nuts. Why is denouement of the book the fact that oscar actually lost his virginity?? Is that supposed to make us feel like his death was worth it?

Even if the ending was respectful to Oscar, why does he think that anyone cares about how his life is going? lol like Oscar dies and he's like “on a side note I might be a teacher and I write a lot nowadays” okay?? cool?? I'm reading this book bc I want to know about Oscar and his family not this self insert narrator who projects his massive libido onto his race.

If that wasn't bad enough, why does Diaz suggest that every Dominican just wants to fuck? Like I don't know much about the place or people but it just sounds kinda racist... like I know he's dominican but he's really playing into the “negros are animals” type thing. Idk it just made me uneasy the whole time that he was making his people two dimensional stereotypes.

Finally I'm not really clued in on race relations in DR but do they use the N word that much?? like he just couldn't stop.

If I ever had faith in the Pullitzer Prize I've completely lost it now.

Super good. A smart, sensitive portrayal of a 1980s immigrant nerd, Oscar, with amazingly depthful portrayals of the 1980s, immigrant communities, and nerdery.

I read this book after hearing that it was a smart look at being a POC nerd and how hard/alienating that can be. I don't pretend to know, though I have sometimes felt alienated for being a female nerd - so I can imagine. The protagonist, Oscar, is your very standard nerdy dude: imagine him in a fedora and neckbeard, hopelessly and passionately romantic, a very “Nice Guy” in the not so great meaning of the phrase. What I was surprised by was the sparkling originality of how Junot Diaz weaves together 20th century Dominican history, multi-generational dramas, and nerdery. When he refers to Dominican dictator, Rafael Trujillo, as manipulating the Dominican Republic like his “own personal Mordor” - when one of his goons is described as scarier than the “Witch King of Angmar” - I was like, WAHT. It was double-take-inducing, dizzying. It was FUN. It was also, as fiction is wont to be, such an empathy-building machine.

This book sort of reminded me of Zadie Smith's White Teeth, and Chimamanda Adichie Ngozi's Americanah - post-colonial, a smart portrayal of both the US/UK and the home country, many generations, bittersweetness. I couldn't really buy the grand finale of this, but it was a 5-star experience anyway. Oh yes, and narrated by Lin-Manuel Miranda - who better to capture earnest geekery and Latino pride?! V v good.

This one was a peach of a book, with sparkling writing and characters (many of which i found disagreeable - and therein the ability of the author). But the whole thing brought to life with a fantastic reading bu Lin Manuel. Outstanding job.

I am going to need to sit with this one a long while before I can say what I actually think of it.

I really could not get into this, even though a lot of people seem to enjoy it. His narrative voice is entertaining, and I really quite liked the mixing-in of Spanish language. But somehow I didn't connect to the characters, and also felt the whole idea of the curse didn't pay off, as this is truly more the tragic story of victims of fascist dictator Trujillo and the violence and corruptions left behind in the Dominican Republic. Besides that it's a lot about getting people laid and avoiding getting laid.

Couldn't get into it. Didn't connect with any of the characters. Got really tired of having to google all the Spanish phrases throughout which means i missed about a quarter of the book. I hated the chapters that were about the mother.

The book was simply brilliant. It's been long since I came across such a beautifully written book with such an engaging story. I already feel like reading it again.

Edit 03/25/2019: Counting this as my Dominican Republic book around the world.

Original angry rant...I mean review. Leaving this unedited because it's Harisa of the past (almost exactly 5 years ago past!)

Cannot even begin to describe how horrible this book was. Some parts were mildly interesting, but the characters all sucked and I found it hard to feel any amount of sympathy for them. They're all morons and choose/prioritize the wrong things in life and I'm not surprised their life is so horrible.

The author incorporates an attempt at magical realism in the novel, but it's mostly him blaming a “curse” for the horrible outcomes of each family members, when in reality, each family member doesn't even seriously try to build a good life for themselves. So, there is no “curse”, they're all idiots.

Isabel Allende is wonderful with this literary device (magical realism), but I can't even say that this author even tries to use it...I just think he tried to make a story of crappy characters into something deeper....he failed.

Would not recommend, unfortunately I had to finish if for a class otherwise I would have given up a while ago.

Really interesting, and weird in the best way. I learned so much from this book about Latin American history and the 20th-century diaspora. I found Lola more compelling than Oscar. Reading in audiobook was excellent, though I probably missed more of the Spanish this way (my fault).

I enjoyed this book about a Dominican-American man trying to find his way in New Jersey and Santo Domingo.

The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao is a good book. I liked it. It was swell. The nerdy Dominican Oscar de Leon gives the novel a stand out character. He's memorable. As is the repeating history of events: the beating, the mongoose, the faceless man. Haunting. Affecting. There's also this wonderful story about love. That's good. I enjoyed the casual tone of the book, the importance of one kiss, and the relationships between Oscar and his family. At its core, ...Oscar Wao is a story that is hard to shake.

I like Díaz. And I like this novel. But I don't love this one. Personally, I didn't buy the primary narrator. The voice felt forced. I know a lot of people love Yunior, but he never connected with me, which is ironic considering I loved Drown and seem to remember liking the narrator (who was none other than Yunior). That whole I'm urban-I'm cool-I can speak nerd-I'm a playa-I care thing didn't work—not that it couldn't work for me, but it just didn't feel genuine in this one. And the history. History's cool, but it really made for a drawn out story. It took too long to pick up the pace.

I know people love this story. And I do too. The story is great. But it just felt like one fabulous forty page story stretched to unnecessary lengths, a tale told by someone who made me very uncomfortable. Oscar's story shouldn't make me uncomfortable. Uneasiness is what I'd expect from The Apathetic Antics of Yunior de Las Casas, but not from Oscar. Oscar's just too good to do that to.

I suspect people who enjoyed [b:One Hundred Years of Solitude 320 One Hundred Years of Solitude Gabriel García Márquez http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1327881361s/320.jpg 3295655] might enjoy this more than I did. It had its moments, but on the whole the narrative was a little too disconnected for me. It's also sprinkled liberally with untranslated Spanish words and phrases; while I could pick most of it up from context, it quickly got annoying (especially when long historical footnotes ended with a phrase like “...but, as they say, [something in Spanish I can't read].”). Also, just kind of a depressing book in general... between the descriptions of life in a dictatorship and the people bumbling around hurting each other and failing to achieve anything meaningful. It's readable enough – Díaz has a tone reminiscent of both [a:Tom Robbins 197 Tom Robbins http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1198683922p2/197.jpg] and [a:Kurt Vonnegut 2778055 Kurt Vonnegut http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1233193902p2/2778055.jpg] – but I probably wouldn't have finished it if I hadn't been on a plane with nothing else to read.

While I liked this book, I found it too long. It's not a long book, but it's not edited well. It is clearly a wonderful novella wrapped in an okay novel. I'd have liked to see this cut down more; down to its essential core. In the end though, the true test of a book is whether I would recommend it to others, and I certainly would recommend this book to everyone. It has broad appeal, despite its geeky references and Dominican Spanish. I gave it 4 stars, but that's only because I can't give it 3 1/2.