Reviews

Got 75% through this book before I put it down and forgot to pick it up again - for almost a year. I mostly had to remind myself to read it, which is why I never finished. But here it is: I love Junot Diaz’s prose, which is why I could pick up where ever it was I left off and get sucked right back in.

3.5 rounded up to a 4, because I didn’t really connect with it (I'm not even sure I truly liked any of the characters), but when I hit the last page, somehow it all still got me.

I’m sure I’ll revisit it again in a year or so and give it a proper read-through.

bundy23's review against another edition

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2.0

I've never really had an opinion on Dominicans before but if this book is anything to go by then I think amerikkka needs to build a wall to keep them out! Especially fat loser ones that think banging a prostitute is worth dying for.

I also had a look at other recent Pulitzer winners and The Road is about the only thing from the past 30 years that's actually worth reading.

daisey's review

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3.0

If you're struggling with the language or the multitude of references to literature, movies, games, etc. I recommend using http://www.annotated-oscar-wao.com/ to help you through. I cannot say I quite enjoyed this often violent and depressing story, but I appreciated the writing, felt fully immersed in the culture and family history, and thoroughly enjoyed all the Tolkien references.

leilatre's review against another edition

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4.0

Interesting story of a uber-nerd and his family and (few) friends. I liked the mystical Dominican Republic elements and some of the historical references. The narration was offbeat, and not entirely easy to follow. I liked the sci-fi references (though I didn't get most of them), but not as much the Spanish slang and street references (I also didn't get most of them). A fun read.

jaimek926's review against another edition

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challenging dark sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

Content Warnings

smbla's review against another edition

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3.0

Although i found this book interesting...I absolutely did not love it the way so many people seem to have. I can understand how it might have touched a cord in so many people but it struck me as a little too Andy Warhol-Shock for Shock's sake.

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