whitmc's review against another edition
4.0
Book club August book pick. Definitely understand how this has won its accolades and awards, and why people rave about it. Not my cup of tea, the bits of violence were rough and it was hard to get into a flow, but also glad I read it both because I like reading things that are not my cup of tea, and because it was very good and interesting, and I knew nothing, absolutely nothing, about the Dominican Republic and its history, and now I know at least a bit more than I did before.
clz1999's review against another edition
dark
funny
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
joolz_reads's review against another edition
3.0
*3 stars*
I currently do not have time to post a full review, but would just like to tell one thing to Junot Díaz--35 DDD is NOT a bra size, never was, and never will be. Other than that, I (honestly, suprisingly) sorta enjoyed this book.
Edit:
I was made to read this book for my college class Latino History in the United States. I admit I got into the book a little. started enjoying parts of the story; some parts more than others.
The book is mainly about a fat Dominican nerd named Oscar, the Trujillo regime, and fukú. Being a Latina of Peruvian heritage, my knowledge of any of this was on the minimal side. Oscar is a dreamer; he loves to write, to plays games on his consoles, to read and make science fiction. But more than anything he loves to daydream about all the girls he wished liked him. The thing is, Oscar is not only inexperienced, but he's severely self-conscious of how big he is. This pattern continues on into college for him, and is seen as part of the fukú (sorta like terrible luck) on his Dominican family thanks to Trujillo. No matter how hard Oscar tries, it seems he can't break this (at times fatal) curse, until he himself goes on a trip to the DR with the family that is.
The book takes many flashbacks to the DR when Oscar's mother, Beli, was growing up there. It's told in both third person and by characters such as Oscar's sister Lola, and her boyfriend Yunior (Oscar's college roommate) who narrates the vast majority of the book. At times this book is written in Spanglish, which is probably fine if you're Latinx, but if you don't know Spanish don't say you weren't warned. This is actually an important part of this book, and it's done so you won't understand everything--which if you look at it, is a normal process in the eyes of an immigrant in the US with a different mother tongue.
Also, there are a TON of footnotes in this book. I'm not exaggerating. The footnotes add to the story by going off on their *own* little stories and history lessons. Don't skip over the footnotes.
Ok, so now to why I docked off two stars. I did this because, even though the reasons in this book as to why *it* was done are actually authentic and I think important to be shown, I also feel like some of the audience would not understand those reasons, and in turn the book would promote this misunderstanding and stereotype. *It*, being, the physical and mental abuse of Latinx parents on their children, such as with Beli on her children Oscar and Lola. Beli literally NEVER has anything nice to say to Lola, and only half the time she does to Oscar. She's violent with a lot of pent-up frustration and anger, and the stereotypical 'angry chancla-throwing Latina mom'. Lola is extremely rebellious due to this and looking at it from third person it all could have been avoided, even Oscar's problems, had they gotten help. I hate this stereotype, because I experienced it with my own mother, and wish to not promote it within the Latinx community, or to promote the ever-growing stereotype of it outside of the community. Yes, I know it's obvious in this book being due to Beli's traumatic experiences as a young adult, but those made to read this book for a class like I was instead of taking the time to analyze the book for the joy of reading, may miss that connection.
So that's all for now folks. Overall it's a good read, but it's a novel that requires the reader to read it intently and in-between the lines, if they don't want to miss anything.
I currently do not have time to post a full review, but would just like to tell one thing to Junot Díaz--35 DDD is NOT a bra size, never was, and never will be. Other than that, I (honestly, suprisingly) sorta enjoyed this book.
Edit:
I was made to read this book for my college class Latino History in the United States. I admit I got into the book a little. started enjoying parts of the story; some parts more than others.
The book is mainly about a fat Dominican nerd named Oscar, the Trujillo regime, and fukú. Being a Latina of Peruvian heritage, my knowledge of any of this was on the minimal side. Oscar is a dreamer; he loves to write, to plays games on his consoles, to read and make science fiction. But more than anything he loves to daydream about all the girls he wished liked him. The thing is, Oscar is not only inexperienced, but he's severely self-conscious of how big he is. This pattern continues on into college for him, and is seen as part of the fukú (sorta like terrible luck) on his Dominican family thanks to Trujillo. No matter how hard Oscar tries, it seems he can't break this (at times fatal) curse, until he himself goes on a trip to the DR with the family that is.
The book takes many flashbacks to the DR when Oscar's mother, Beli, was growing up there. It's told in both third person and by characters such as Oscar's sister Lola, and her boyfriend Yunior (Oscar's college roommate) who narrates the vast majority of the book. At times this book is written in Spanglish, which is probably fine if you're Latinx, but if you don't know Spanish don't say you weren't warned. This is actually an important part of this book, and it's done so you won't understand everything--which if you look at it, is a normal process in the eyes of an immigrant in the US with a different mother tongue.
Also, there are a TON of footnotes in this book. I'm not exaggerating. The footnotes add to the story by going off on their *own* little stories and history lessons. Don't skip over the footnotes.
Ok, so now to why I docked off two stars. I did this because, even though the reasons in this book as to why *it* was done are actually authentic and I think important to be shown, I also feel like some of the audience would not understand those reasons, and in turn the book would promote this misunderstanding and stereotype. *It*, being, the physical and mental abuse of Latinx parents on their children, such as with Beli on her children Oscar and Lola. Beli literally NEVER has anything nice to say to Lola, and only half the time she does to Oscar. She's violent with a lot of pent-up frustration and anger, and the stereotypical 'angry chancla-throwing Latina mom'. Lola is extremely rebellious due to this and looking at it from third person it all could have been avoided, even Oscar's problems, had they gotten help. I hate this stereotype, because I experienced it with my own mother, and wish to not promote it within the Latinx community, or to promote the ever-growing stereotype of it outside of the community. Yes, I know it's obvious in this book being due to Beli's traumatic experiences as a young adult, but those made to read this book for a class like I was instead of taking the time to analyze the book for the joy of reading, may miss that connection.
So that's all for now folks. Overall it's a good read, but it's a novel that requires the reader to read it intently and in-between the lines, if they don't want to miss anything.
roristutzman's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
brob1856's review against another edition
3.0
The slowest read of the year I think! However deeply-deeply brilliant and inspired. I cried. I can’t say I’d recommend it to most or even ever read it again, but I also can’t say I regret reading it. It’s a vivid look into the DR and their people’s history - especially the families like Oscar’s. I was surprised to take away the things I did from this book; certainly unique, and I can totally understand how it received the Pulitzer ☺️
laviskrg's review against another edition
5.0
This book blew me away faster and harder than I would have expected from a 350 page story, but it packed more punches than most of the books I've read this year. A wonder which reminded me on every page why magical realism is my all time supreme, favourite genre. I will not even bother to wax poetic about the numerous nerdgasm inducing elements of genre culture, scifi, fantasy, comics and RPGs. This was definitely a book containing all my interests, while also being a horribly violent and accurate portrayal of a horrific system that destroyed and shaped an entire country, while also being a superb journey into realistic magic and wondrous reality. Loved every word of it!
marksanders's review against another edition
5.0
i am a sucker of for masters of dialect, twain, eggers, chabon et al. and junot diaz's colloquialisms and quips soar in this family's epic tale. encompassing 4 generations, i really enjoyed learning more about dominican history and the myth that leads to sweet tragedy in the end.
atlasofclouds's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
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
4.25
yusrara's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
slow-paced
5.0
salshrem_nardea's review against another edition
3.0
I have to start out saying that I had to read this book for school, which always makes a difference with the approach to the book.
Now that that's out of the way, the actual book was OK, not great, not bad, just OK.
It was confusing at times and there are a lot of characters to follow. The way it is written is very odd but arguably adds a different dimension to the book. I enjoyed Junot Diaz's writing style as it made the book less boring. But after all was said and done, it was nothing great.
Also, I don't particularly like the footnotes and explanations of Dominican Republic's history. I wish he just smoothly added it into the story.
Now that that's out of the way, the actual book was OK, not great, not bad, just OK.
It was confusing at times and there are a lot of characters to follow. The way it is written is very odd but arguably adds a different dimension to the book. I enjoyed Junot Diaz's writing style as it made the book less boring. But after all was said and done, it was nothing great.
Also, I don't particularly like the footnotes and explanations of Dominican Republic's history. I wish he just smoothly added it into the story.