I am going to start reviewing books I read over the course of the rest of my life, probably, if I can stay consistent. Just a little insight on some reads, what it is about and if it is worth your time. Just to give some insights as to what is out there, new and old. If your like me, then you know how hard it is to know what to read. There is so much out there! So I am offering you my help. Your welcome!
The Brief and Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao in a nutshell is about an obese Dominican boy who is attempting to succeed in getting laid and being accept in his school, town, family, and life in general. What is stopping him is not only a curse that has infected his family, fuku, but also his nerdy obsession with science-fiction, anime, and novels--many could relate I imagine. That is one reason I liked this novel, how many could relate to Oscar helped connect with the problems he faced. And Diaz paints Oscar as a pathetic, worthless nobody who will not amount to anything. But, this is not just a coming to age tale. Diaz writes the piece in an outsiders perspective, Oscar's sisters on and off boyfriend, who adapts Oscar's voice, crass, nerdy, and obscene at times. Diaz begins by explaining the history of the Dominican Republic, a country which is one of the main tensions of the story. So much happens there involving Oscar's family, from murders, rapes, deaths, beatings, and the like. Diaz jumps from person to person, enveloping numerous family members of Oscars in order for the reader to hear their story. We invest a lot of time within other members of the family, so much so I almost forgot about Oscar towards the end. Diaz utilizes vivid descriptions of the areas he speaks of and has a vast knowledge of his countries past. It is interesting in some respects, but also a bit distracting. I found myself skipping over some of his facts due to their length and disconnection from the story. That's one problem I had with the tale. I wasn't too invested with Oscar towards the end, since most of the middle is explaining the other members history, attempting to yield evidence towards their families "curse," but it distracted instead of helped. His characters are very deep though. From Beli, the tough mom with a frightening past, to Lola, the equally tough daughter with an unbreakable bound with her suicidal brother. Oscar wants to get laid. He feels like that is his life goal due to the ridiculous legacy Dominican men hold. He yearns for it so much that it becomes insatiable towards the end. Not wanting to ruin anything I will move on. I enjoyed this novel. It is very intriguing in the way Diaz writes, the stories he weaves, and the vibrant landscapes he engulfs the reader in. It is original in that way, in regards to language. But, it falls flat in the end. Very anti-climatic. I re-read thinking I missed something, but it is due to the lingering narrative voice that attempts to explain more once the main conflict was resolved. It felt like it was dragging on. All in all, I would read it again. If not for the dorky, nerdy tones and amazing settings, but for the realization that getting laid is one thing that all men seem to face in their lives. Till death, and it makes me wonder, is it worth it?
