melitta's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Bullying, Cursing, Misogyny, Police brutality, Sexism, Suicide attempt, Toxic relationship, Fatphobia, Kidnapping, Body shaming, Murder, Physical abuse, Violence, and Racial slurs
Moderate: Xenophobia, Sexual harassment, Racism, Classism, Terminal illness, Stalking, Gun violence, Infidelity, Trafficking, Drug use, Emotional abuse, and Sexual violence
Minor: Torture, Confinement, Child abuse, Slavery, Injury/Injury detail, and Homophobia
mirandyli's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Body shaming, Child death, Police brutality, Cancer, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Abandonment, Blood, Classism, Colonisation, Cursing, Murder, Death, Domestic abuse, Fatphobia, Grief, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Racial slurs, Stalking, Violence, War, Suicide attempt, and Xenophobia
jg34's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Fatphobia, Sexual violence, and Violence
Moderate: Police brutality, Infidelity, Death, Sexism, Injury/Injury detail, Bullying, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Cancer, Terminal illness, Miscarriage, Drug use, and Pregnancy
daydreamjournalism's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Torture, Grief, Physical abuse, Police brutality, Sexual assault, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Suicide attempt and Fatphobia
reachingforstardust's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Graphic: Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt, Infidelity, Stalking, Sexual assault, Cancer, Torture, Rape, and Fatphobia
Moderate: Homophobia, Physical abuse, Racism, Kidnapping, Pregnancy, Racial slurs, Police brutality, and Murder
Minor: Abortion and Forced institutionalization
eegred's review against another edition
Graphic: Fatphobia
iz_kap1225's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Death, Child abuse, Police brutality, Physical abuse, Miscarriage, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Bullying, Violence, Adult/minor relationship, Suicide attempt, and Gore
Moderate: Cancer and Kidnapping
niamhbereading's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
the narrator of this book really made it for me. surprisingly, it is not oscar. instead, it's a character who we do not meet until about halfway through the book, and even then, he holds little stake in the plot. yunior (the narrator) has such a unique voice as he tells the story of oscar's family, & that made the tales of the trujillo-era dominican republic all the more interesting to me, a white american reader. oscar- the protagonist of this book- is actually never a narrator, even though the book is named after him. i think that adds such an interesting perspective to the story: everyone is talking about oscar, so the book takes you on a ride to finding out who he is through other people's lives. (note: one of the chapters is in the pov of oscar's sister, and there's no real distinction between who is narrating. you just gotta pay attention to how the story is being told to get it.)
this book travels through three generations of the de leon family: oscar and his sister lola, his mother beli, & beli's parents. though oscar & lola's stories are based in new jersey, beli & her parents are all living in the dominican republic under dictator trujillo. junot diaz does a wonderful job immersing the reader into each generation. in particular, some chapters have footnotes that give historical context, which i found really helpful. the dominican history bleeds through the pages.
ok spoiler time:
Spoiler
the de leon family is cursed w/ a fuku bc abelard, oscar's grandfather, defied trujillo. through the three generations, the de leon family is faced with extreme trauma. lots of death.this book has MAGICAL REALISM YAYYYY!!! the de leon family is cursed w/ a fuku that travels throughout the story. it's not too prominent, but when it's brought up, diaz knows how to bring it up. he has struck a good balance between a grounded-in-reality story & supernatural elements. also oscar is a sci-fi nerd so i like how both the character & his universe has an affinity for the unrealistic.
spoiler time again:
Spoiler
oscar dies in the very end :(great read!!! this was the second time i've read it but the first was when i was like fourteen, & this book only gets better w/ age. i would recommend this book to dominicans & latines who want to learn more about their history, nerdy outcast kids who grew into nerdy outcast adults, & those w/ an affinity towards tragedies. wonderful book <3
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Suicide, Gun violence, Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Murder, and Grief
Moderate: Cancer, Body shaming, Fatphobia, and Forced institutionalization
Spoiler
in one point, it is implied that oscar almost killed himself on purpose. later on, he tries to kill himself by walking onto train tracks.eveymarie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Racial slurs, Sexual harassment, Fatphobia, Death, Misogyny, Suicide attempt, Violence, Child abuse, Cursing, Murder, Self harm, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, and Torture
amariehoyos's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Fatphobia, Violence, Classism, Emotional abuse, Grief, Physical abuse, Gaslighting, Misogyny, Colonisation, Rape, Racism, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence