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rachel98798's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
lolauren's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
tylerco's review
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
readwinesupernova's review against another edition
5.0
I didn't enjoy this as much as I enjoyed The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao, but I think it's probably unfair to compare the two as a novel is always going to be different than a collection of stories. I found the style of the book to be a fantastic balance between being very down-to-earth and very poetic. My one criticism would be that I would have been happier if the book included more women in roles other than that of love interest.
emmabeckman's review against another edition
3.0
It took a while for me to get into it, but the last two stories, for whatever reason, really got me going. But it was overall a quick, interesting read (despite the fact that it took me a while to finish it--as in, when I was reading it, it went really fast). I think I'll have to read his other books to really understand his Pulitzer-Prize-winning qualities though, because while the writing in this one was good, I didn't really connect with any of the characters.
erinbryce429's review against another edition
4.0
A little slow at times, but definitely different than anything I've read before and overall very compelling.
mcbibliotecaria's review against another edition
4.0
Highly recommend this to people who usually gear toward urban fiction (family)! This is a poetic read on dating, specifically for Latinos. The mythos of the player, urban Latino male, is given a legend. The guy who goes around and cheats, even though he has a great woman at home. The guy who has an excuse for everything. The slightly abusive, manipulative idiot who you know is playing game on you but you still stick around til there is "solid" evidence. I relate especially to the love of his life story. But this applies to all females. I think when its done, its never instant, but one day you wake up and walk out.
This is a colorful collections of vignettes, and the rise and fall of Latino dating in the United States. I highly recommend this to everyone, but especially to all my Latinas dealing with the guy every single day of their lives. Its especially great because it speaks from both males and females perspectives, and shows how in time relationships mature, and break down because on is resistant. Poignant and sweet, this is a great followup to Oscar Wao.
This is a colorful collections of vignettes, and the rise and fall of Latino dating in the United States. I highly recommend this to everyone, but especially to all my Latinas dealing with the guy every single day of their lives. Its especially great because it speaks from both males and females perspectives, and shows how in time relationships mature, and break down because on is resistant. Poignant and sweet, this is a great followup to Oscar Wao.
cheyrohm's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Does Junot Díaz realize women are also human beings orrrrr...???
Yeah, towards the end I couldn't WAIT for this book to be over. I gave it two stars because it does have some sparks of really beautiful prose. But overall it frustrated me. I don't think I'll read more of his work.
Yeah, towards the end I couldn't WAIT for this book to be over. I gave it two stars because it does have some sparks of really beautiful prose. But overall it frustrated me. I don't think I'll read more of his work.
andrea2428's review against another edition
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
nooneyouknow's review against another edition
4.0
"The half-life of love is forever."
Man, can Junot Diaz write. I would have gone with 3.5 stars until the last story in the book just crushed me. A collection of stories about guys who get around a lot, who don't necessarily see it as cheating, who are doing what they think is expected of them, but who are still human enough (when they show any symptoms of self-awareness) to want something different. The stories told from the female POV didn't ring as true to me as the men's stories. But Diaz still manages to drop his readers straight into his characters' world, just as it is. Good stuff.
Man, can Junot Diaz write. I would have gone with 3.5 stars until the last story in the book just crushed me. A collection of stories about guys who get around a lot, who don't necessarily see it as cheating, who are doing what they think is expected of them, but who are still human enough (when they show any symptoms of self-awareness) to want something different. The stories told from the female POV didn't ring as true to me as the men's stories. But Diaz still manages to drop his readers straight into his characters' world, just as it is. Good stuff.