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Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao
Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao | Junot Daz
Winner of both the National Book Critics Circle Award and the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, the most talked about--and praised--smash hit of 2007 follows the adventures of a sweet but disastrously overweight ghetto nerd plagued by a family curse.
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review
Texreader
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Bailedbailed

Ok I‘m calling it. After the most vulgar scene yet, I‘ve decided I do not need to fill my consciousness up with this mess of a book. Especially since I‘ve got the #DominicanRepublic covered by two other books. Moving on. #foodandlit #readingtheamericas @Catsandbooks @Librarybelle @BarbaraBB

Catsandbooks Oh yikes! Good idea! 13mo
Lunakay Good call!...what scene/story line made you quit? 13mo
Librarybelle Good call! 13mo
Texreader @Lunakay Beli and the Gangster—you may recall the description. It was particularly foul. 13mo
Lunakay Oh yes, that was especially painful to read...🙈 I hated that whole story line... 13mo
68 likes2 stack adds5 comments
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Texreader
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I‘ve updated my #litsyatoz challenge to include books I hope to read for my other challenges: #foodandlit #authoramonth and #readingtheamericas. I‘ve also color coded it so I can quickly see my progress in reading every letter of the alphabet. Color coding makes me so happy! That‘s how I got through law school, color coding every case I read. 😂

🟩 I‘ve finished a letter
🟨 I‘m reading a book for that letter
🟥 not read yet

I ❤️ all the 🌈

Magpiegem This is great! Love the colour coding 😊 I use StoryGraph for my challenges now. It‘s made it so easy to keep track but I don‘t have the fun of making lists. 14mo
Texreader @Magpiegem I‘m really looking forward to seeing the colors change. I don‘t know why I didn‘t think of this before. 14mo
36 likes2 comments
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Lunakay
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Mehso-so

I get that this book caught some attention, but I just couldn't care much about Oscar's misfortunes. Not very wondrous, but repetitive and clichéd.

I learned a lot about Dominican history, which I honestly knew nothing about. That's a big plus, thank you #foodandlit

The vulgar narrator may be a provoking idea, but it left me with the feeling that this is what you do when you have nothing else to contribute.

@Catsandbooks @Texreader

Susanita Between the vulgar narrator and the extremely long sentences, I was horrified that I had recommended this for my book club. 14mo
Texreader I‘ve read wonderful reviews so I keep waiting for the “good part” to start! So it isn‘t just me who‘s underwhelmed—at least so far 14mo
Lunakay @Texreader Looking forward to your overall review! 14mo
Lunakay @Susanita I get that! I was hooked by the Pulitzer and now the prize lost some of its meaning to me. I also wonder how people are expected to get all the Spanish, I got like 85% and was still lost at times😅 14mo
Catsandbooks Yeah I've definitely seen lots of mixed reviews on this one. 😬 14mo
21 likes5 comments
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Texreader
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I‘ve spent my evening planning my 2023 #litsyatoz challenge, my longest successful challenge on litsy. These are books I‘ve read, am reading (italics), or I‘m pretty certain I‘ll read (bold). They are all in my library.

It‘s far from complete. I haven‘t added books I plan to read for my other challenges, just a few for #authoramonth #foodandlit & #readingtheAmericas are on the list so far. I just wanted to make sure I plan for success for #atoz.

Clwojick I love this challenge! 💖💥 14mo
Catsandbooks Great list!! 14mo
55 likes2 comments
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Texreader
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Starting this book tonight for #foodandlit #DominicanRepublic

It also works for #readingtheAmericas

BarbaraBB I liked this one. 14mo
currentlyreadinginCO Oh I love this book 14mo
Catsandbooks Enjoy! 🇩🇴 14mo
Librarybelle Nice! I have a copy of this one! 14mo
AlaMich Did you listen to the audio? Lin-Manuel Miranda does an amazing job!!! 14mo
57 likes1 stack add5 comments
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Texreader
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These are my books for #DominicanRepublic I bought today. For #foodandlit in February and #readingtheamericas

@Catsandbooks @BarbaraBB @Librarybelle

AlaMich One of the audio versions is read by Lin-Manuel Miranda and it is fabulous!! Of Oscar Wao, I mean. 🤪 (edited) 1y
LeahBergen I really enjoyed Pirate Hunters. 👍 1y
BarbaraBB I enjoyed Oscar Wao! 1y
Catsandbooks So excited!! 🇩🇴 1y
TheBookHippie I loved the tagged book!! @jenniferw88 sent it to me. I treasure it so! 1y
58 likes1 stack add5 comments
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Emilymdxn
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#twofortuesday @TheSpineView

1. My bf and I just had a conversation about going to the Dominican Republic! Which is half an island so I think it counts. I don‘t know that we‘ll actually go but it‘s the one I‘m daydreaming about atm

2. I might reread the tagged book which I really loved, or I‘d probably see what classic or new Dominican fiction I could find and download a massive stack on kindle before I left

BiblioLitten We have talked about going to DR recently too! Right after I finished a book set in DR 2y
TheSpineView Sounds like a lovely trip! Thanks for playing! 2y
41 likes2 comments
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TheBookHippie
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@jenniferw88 is this from you???
It‘s had a tour!!!
♥️♥️♥️

jenniferw88 Had to check bookdepository, but yes it is! 🤣 2y
TheBookHippie @jenniferw88 @jenniferw88 ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️ it went to the house behind me, they just got home after being gone 3 months 😂😂😂😂😵‍💫😵‍💫😵‍💫😵‍💫 their granddaughter just threw all mail in a box while she house sat 😂😂😂😂😂😂 SO THANK YOU!!!!!! 2y
jenniferw88 🤣🤣 it was to cheer you up after the Roe vs Wade debacle! 2y
See All 8 Comments
Megabooks That‘s a great cover!! 2y
TheBookHippie @jenniferw88 WELLLL LORD KNOWS I STILL NEED THAT!!! 💜 💜 💜 💜 💜 😘 (edited) 2y
Kimberlone This is one of my favorite books of all time! 2y
TheBookHippie @Kimberlone I made it half way through last night, it‘s very good! 2y
37 likes8 comments
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IuliaC
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Pickpick

Overall I enjoyed this one in spite of some slow parts. I'm seeing Oscar's drama as the hero's supreme sacrifice for love.
I particularly appreciated the parts dealing with the history of the Dominican Republic during the Trujillo dictatorship.

cheesemoi I tried to read this, but bailed because it was so sexual at the beginning… does that persist throughout the book? I figured I‘d try it again eventually, but I‘d like to know a little more :) 2y
IuliaC @cheesemoi It was quite explicit indeed from time to time, but I think the description of the atrocities during the dictatorship impacted me more than the sexual vocabulary 2y
Graywacke Glad you enjoyed and nice seeing a review here. I‘m surprised how much an impression this made on me. I read it years ago. It doesn‘t _seem_ that sophisticated. Mix Dominican horrors and unfiltered Dominican English, toss in Oscar. But it works. 2y
IuliaC @Graywacke You've captured the spirit of this book so well in just a few words!! 2y
Graywacke @IuliaC Aw, thanks. I guess I have been thinking about it awhile. 🙂 2y
52 likes5 comments
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Nathan_Opland-Dobs
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Mehso-so

🙂

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freeatlast1137
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Pickpick

Yunior narrates the story of Oscar Wao, an overweight Dominican growing up in New Jersey.

The story focuses on how his family has bad luck, fuku, and trying to defeat but I think most of their problems would be solved if they didn‘t believe liars so much.

I really enjoyed this tale immensely even if half the time, I was getting frustrated with their decisions.

18 likes1 stack add
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DMC_run8
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Pickpick

This Pulitzer Prize winning novel winds its way through 3 generations of Oscar's family from New Jersey to the Dominican Republic and back. Set against the backdrop of the Trujillo regime the narrator wonders if the family suffers from bad luck or if they're actually cursed.

6 likes2 stack adds
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jenniferw88
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Mehso-so

4 🌟

Lots of Yes's going off in my head when I recognised a Spanish word/phrase!

Loved the references to lord of the rings, doctor who etc!

#bookspinbingo @TheAromaofBooks

#latinxauthor #booked2021 @Cinfhen @4thhouseontheleft @BarbaratheBibliophage

BarbaraTheBibliophage Great job!! 3y
Cinfhen Nice choice 👍🏽 3y
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 3y
39 likes1 stack add3 comments
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cdreincarnate
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Panpan

I had so been looking forward to reading this classic, but I was so disappointed by how incredibly sexist it was. Yes, the prose is gorgeous, but I just skimmed through it hoping there would be something more substantial, but nope. If it hadn‘t been for the fact that the book was loaned to me by a friend who will no doubt ask me about my thoughts on the book, I would have bailed on it.

SamAnne I've had him on my shelf for years. Was intending to read and then when I heard the details of his #metoo moment I put him farther down the TBR list. Reading your review, I will move him down farther. 3y
cdreincarnate @SamAnne Yeah, hearing about his #metoo moment is a big reason it took me so long to get around to reading this. If it hadn‘t been loaned to me by a friend, I probably never would have read it. 3y
4 likes2 comments
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roseread
Pickpick

Read it in school but it was so wonderfuly written I remember loving it

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cdreincarnate
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Is this what Diaz thinks women find attractive? Seriously?

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cdreincarnate
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You have got to be kidding me 🙄

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throwmeabook
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Thank you so much @CBee ❤️ The book made it safe and sound and is now patiently waiting for me to make the time to read it.

CBee So glad it made it 👏🏻👏🏻 Enjoy 😊 3y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Checking on you! I hope all is well! 3y
42 likes2 comments
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Karkar
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Still working through this one. I am really enjoying it. But I have to stop a lot and look up words. But the story is good so far. Also does not help I am working all the time. Sheba is happy today just hanging out with me.

BookNAround It‘s clear Sheba and Gatsby are both schnauzers. They snuggle in exactly alike. 😁 3y
49 likes1 comment
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StaceyGlows
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Picked a Blind Date book yesterday and it ended up being one I already own. 🤦🏻‍♀️😂

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CorgiBooks
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Pickpick

I‘m conflicted. There are huge passages and narratives in this book I really like, and the interlacing of family tragedy and political turmoil was incredibly interesting to read. And on the other hand, there were a lot of moments I really struggled to sympathise with the characters in a book that really relies on you to care about them.
Overall though I would say the interlocking stories were interesting enough to still warrant a good review

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Currey
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Pickpick

#readaroundtheworld #dominicanrepublic A sad soulful story of a Dominican diaspora family impacted by the terrors of Trujillo‘ reign. Equally a mash up of pop fantasy references from anime to games as the story focuses on Oscar, the desperate virgin nerd. Told in Caribbean street Spanish, erudite academic English, and Spanglish the work sings with counter rhythms and clashes of cultures. Other than the 2000 references to “puta”, I loved it.

rockpools Lovely review! And thank you - I have an audio copy but I haven‘t managed to get into it yet, and wasn‘t entirely sure if I wanted to. I‘ll keep going! 4y
sprainedbrain I really liked this book, too! 4y
19 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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JackOBotts
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Happy #Litsyversary, @BarbaraBB 🥳! The tagged book takes place - in part - in New Brunswick, NJ (home of Rutgers University - R-U-Rah-Rah!). A tale of a young Dominican man as he navigated life, I found the tale moving and enjoyed it. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ As a #CentralJersey resident and employee of #TheStateUniversityofNewJersey, this is a true #ThinkLocalGiveAway choice for me!

BarbaraBB Great choice, I read this book and still van imagine the place vividly! Thanks for entering! 🎈❤️ 4y
Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick Hooray for Central Jersey! 💛 4y
JackOBotts @Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick - Yes! 🙌🏼 #CentralJerseyIsReal! 🤣 Love those debates... 🤦🏻‍♀️ 4y
26 likes3 comments
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Schwifty
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Mehso-so

This is an interesting novel and possibly even a good one, but it left me feeling unsatisfied in some way (although it seems ultimately that Oscar was satisfied har har). Filled with Spanish and Dominican slang, the prose reaches out and grabs hold of you, speaks from the immigrant barrio, warns of "fukú," a sort of curse Oscar's family endures for three generations. Does Oscar manage to break it? I don't know. Did I like this book? I don't know.

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Kimberlone
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Oops missed this yesterday!

Book: The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao
Author: Brown, Pierce
Movie/TV: Bright Star/Band of Brothers
Singer/Band: Bod Dylan/The Beatles
Song: Bennie and the Jets

#ManicMonday #LetterB

JoScho Thanks for playing 😊💜 4y
34 likes1 comment
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WhiskeyMistress
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Pickpick

An interesting, entertaining read, a fantastic commentary on immigration, and family, and legend/myth and how experiences shape us. It was sincere and authentic and unique.
#awardwinning #pulitzer #aoc

51 likes1 stack add
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natalieebloom
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Pickpick

I wish I had read this book sooner - I‘ve never read anything like it. Almost like a modern, updated Catcher in the Rye. It was such a prime example of well-done storytelling.

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Addison_Reads
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Pickpick

Another book that's been on my TBR far too long, and I'm so glad that I finally read it. 💚

I adore Oscar and all his trials and triumphs as he attempts to find out who he is and where he fits in. Great character driven story with characters that are diverse and relatable.

36 likes1 stack add
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jenniferw88
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The closest I could get to #magic was these books on #magicalrealism #scarathlon #chillingphotochallenge #teamslaughter @Clwojick 297pts

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LaraS
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I tried. I really tried. The writing is great, but I‘m just not in the mood for yet another “but I‘m a *nice* guy! Why isn‘t everyone sleeping with me?! Women make terrible relationship choices, it‘s their own fault!!” trope.

2 likes1 stack add
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JackOBotts
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1. I‘m about 10 mins from Rutgers University (R-U-Rah-Rah)!
2. Fall-like! 🤗 🍁
3. Blind double date...the other couple was dating for sometime and no one was helpful with conversation. 🤦🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️
4. Two kiddos 👦🏻👧🏻 - No pets
5. 👌🏼
#friyayintro @howjessreads

JackOBotts LOL - I read “live” instead of “love”! I suppose I “love” NJ...🤦🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️😴 #timeforbed #itsonly7pm 5y
36 likes1 comment
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LaraS
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I'm trying to like this book. Some great one-liners, nerd references, and I appreciate that the author seamlessly weaved two languages together and didn't make me feel like I had to grab a dictionary every time.

But...

For some reason I need a break from reading this book. Maybe too much too fast? It's not you, Oscar Wao, it's me. I hope we can still be friends.

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Jari-chan
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Panpan

Books are like humans. Some you love from the first moment you meet them, with some you work on a balanced relationship and with some you just don't get along. This and me - we're the latter. I've tried, I've really tried. For the second time now. But I just seem unable to get into the story and/or care about Oscar. I'd love to learn more about the DR but I get the feeling this is not the book for me.

Buechersuechtling Don‘t blame yourself or be too sad, just confidently move on to the next read. 🙂 5y
Jari-chan @Buechersuechtling You're totally right about that! 😊 5y
Buechersuechtling @Jari-chan Been there, done that. 🤷🏽‍♀️😊 5y
13 likes3 comments
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Daisey
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Pickpick

I can‘t say I quite enjoyed this book, but I appreciated the experience of reading it. The story is often violent and depressing but the immersion in the culture of the characters is amazing. I thoroughly enjoyed the Tolkien references and the depth that added to the story for me.

I strongly recommend http://www.annotated-oscar-wao.com if you‘re struggling with the language or the references.

#1001books #1001Discoveries

krismlars You're making better progress than I am in the 1001 book! I keep track the same way, with tabs😁 5y
ValerieAndBooks @Daisey Good idea with the tabs! I may borrow this idea. I have that same edition but keep track of my #1001Books with the app. Tabs are a nice tangible way of seeing your progress. Are the colors random, or coded in some way? @krismlars 5y
Nute Wow! I love this! Congratulations on your progress. Such a cool visual way to see your ongoing achievement. 5y
See All 11 Comments
Daisey @krismlars @ValerieAndBooks I keep more careful track in the app and with Goodreads, but I just went through and updated my tabs in the book. It makes the 100 books I‘ve completed feel a bit more substantial. My colors & spacing are random but I do write the month & year read. The tricky part is marking books not included in this edition. Sometimes I put with another book by the author and sometimes chronological. 5y
Daisey @Nute Thank you! 5y
krismlars @ValerieAndBooks I use yellow post-it notes that have been cut down. @Daisey I also keep better track in my reading spreadsheet 5y
CafeMom I have never seen the actual 1001 book. It is huge. Thanks for including the picture. 5y
Daisey @CafeMom It‘s massive! I wasn‘t sure about buying a copy, but I found this one which appears new for a used price, I think because of a marker slash across the edge of the pages. I bought it thinking it would give more explanation as to why each book was chosen, but it generally doesn‘t. However, it‘s still interesting to read the short essays about the books. 5y
TheAromaofBooks So are the 1001 Discoveries the same as the 1001 Books? 5y
Daisey @TheAromaofBooks #1001Discoveries is a postal book group that specifically chose from the 1001 list for books to share. 5y
TheAromaofBooks That is super fun! 5y
61 likes1 stack add11 comments
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Howard_L
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Pickpick

Wow. What a read. A family‘s history in the violent and brutal Dominican Republic of strongman dictator, General Rafael Trujillo. They escape the curse of their family and the DR only to be drawn back into both. It is raw and painful as well as achingly beautiful. I enjoyed Diaz‘ conversational style and his slip into Dominican slang. I highly recommend!

Howard_L I have to admit that all of Tolkien references escaped me as I‘ve never read Lord of The Rings or The Hobbit. Maybe one day but fantasy just isn‘t my thing. Magical realism I enjoy but that‘s as close as I get. I did read The Lightning Thief just because I had it and enjoyed it well enough. I plan to try CS Lewis soon... 5y
Rissreads This book is on my tbr shelf, I must get to it! 5y
Bklover Hope you are enjoying Litsy! 5y
DrexEdit This went straight on my list of all - time favorites when I read it. So good!! 💜 5y
AlaMich I listened to the audio version, which was terrific! 5y
47 likes12 stack adds5 comments
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Daisey
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The Tolkien references in this book are great! It‘s not just Lord of the Rings either, another quote references the fall of Gondolin. Catching these does make me wonder about the specifics of some of the other references that are familiar but not as well known to me.

#1001books #1001Discoveries

Trollkonstnaren Oh I love those little references inside the books! 5y
60 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Daisey
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It didn‘t take long for me to realize that I was going to need to look up some Spanish while reading this book. The first phrase I typed into the search led me to this website of not only translations but also notes and links for mentions of books, movies, games, etc. It has been helpful and I would recommend it. http://www.annotated-oscar-wao.com

Additionally, I‘m enjoying the Tolkien allusions and references.

#1001books #1001Discoveries

merelybookish That's cool! I read somewhere that Diaz intentionally wanted Anglo readers to experience the disorientation of not knowing all the language. 5y
Daisey @merelybookish That makes sense with some of what I‘ve read as well. It can be tough, but it makes the immersion in the culture of the story much stronger. I‘m enjoying it, even if it slows down my reading. 5y
56 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Daisey
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I‘m finally starting this one during Sunday morning books with breakfast. I‘m curious about it since I‘ve seen rather conflicting reviews.

#1001books #1001Discoveries #ReadandEat

bromeliad Yeah, same here. I'm looking forward to your review on this! 5y
Emilymdxn I absolutely adored this one but I listened to it as audio rather than a physical book and I‘ve heard a few people say they thought it was easier to follow listening than seeing, I‘ll be interested to see how you find the physical copy 5y
Daisey @Emilymdxn I‘ve seen there is a Lin-Manuel Miranda narrated audiobook, so I did put it on hold. However, a chapter in I think I‘m glad to be reading it in print. Text will make me more likely to slow down and check details such as looking up meanings of Spanish phrases. 5y
79 likes4 stack adds3 comments
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Autumnscribe
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Pickpick

In the end I am glad I read this book. It was compelling in its telling, informative, and believable. I love how Díaz creates a whole family history. But what surprised me was the way the narrative is woven and told from a reserved distance; the reader is protected from some of the sadness of the story. We are hearing about tragedy, but somehow are able to take it in stride not because it isn‘t sad but rather because it is just the way it is.

17 likes1 stack add
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Jari-chan
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Some of the books I'm planning to read this month. The slips are E-Books. If I don't note them on paper I tend to forget about those... 😅

#augusttbr #bookchallenges #bookchallengebyerin11 #popsugar2019

Curiouser_and_curiouser That's a lot of books for a month! How many hours a day do you read? 5y
Jari-chan @Curiouser_and_curiouser It depends on wheter it is a working day or a day off. I guess around four hours each day are dedicated to reading. Might be five on a day off. But it's hard so say actually 😅 5y
Curiouser_and_curiouser @Jari-chan ok, that's fair. I think I may be a slower reader. If it's a very thick book it might take me a whole month to read. I wish I could somehow read faster but I would lose the ambience and detail of the story if I attempted that. I've succumbed to being in the moment with book I'm reading otherwise I get too carried away with all the others I plan to read. I try and commit to the adventure ahead and be loyal to the story. Thank you 😊 5y
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Jari-chan @Curiouser_and_curiouser That sounds great, too! Everybody has their own style and way to reading. Also, the amount of book one reads doesn't really matter, it's the joy of reading that matters 💝 5y
Curiouser_and_curiouser @Jari-chan Absolutely! I'm a little over excited atm as it's been 16 years since I've read on a regular basis, and now that all of my kids are in school I just want to eat books up! But yes, enjoying them is all that matters and that is definitely what I am doing 😍 5y
Jari-chan @Curiouser_and_curiouser That sounds great! I'm happy to hear that you've finally got some reading time again. Enjoy it to the fullest! ❤ 5y
23 likes1 stack add6 comments
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Autumnscribe
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ay the half way point this book is best described as Intriguing. I love how Díaz has created an entire family for us, and has taken the time to footnote individuals and events important to Dominican history, of which I sadly know very little.

Still wondering who the narrator is but love all of the Lord of the Rings and fantasy references.

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Autumnscribe
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So far, I like it, But see neither why people LOVE or HATE it. It is interesting to be sure, and compelling... and for me that is enough.

17 likes1 stack add
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cateeeoh
Pickpick

In the lifetime top 10.

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ONH
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“Dude is holding up a book, waiting for me to take a closer look, and I recognize this scene from one of his crazy movies. I want to run from him, and for a long time that‘s what I do. It takes me a while before I notice that Oscar‘s hands are seamless and the book‘s pages are blank.

And that behind the mask his eyes are smiling.

Zafa.”

The kind of compelling story you DEVOUR and want to scour for insight once you‘ve finished it. W O W! 🇩🇴

Leftcoastzen I remember it as pretty amazing! 5y
10 likes1 comment
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ONH
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Enjoying this book so far. Junot Díaz‘ writing style reminds me a bit of John Irving‘s— my absolute FAVORITE author. Can‘t wait to see where this goes.

The Dominican influence is interesting too. As someone who isn‘t that familiar with the culture, it‘s interesting to learn about the family dynamic, expectations, superstitions, etc.

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laurar311
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Started a new book to this wonderful view, the half hour hike down (and up) hill was torturous but we got our steps in today.

Can‘t beat the Mediterranean Sea.

crazyspine Beautiful. What do you think of the book? It's pretty weird (not in a bad way). 5y
11 likes1 comment
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BarbaraBB
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Panpan

This was an example of the wrong book at the wrong time I think. I wasn‘t in the least grabbed by or interested in all hardship and drama Oscar and his family had to deal with in life. I felt even annoyed by how all went wrong. All. Fuku they call it in the Dominican Republic where part of the book is set. The other half is set in New Jersey so that counts for #ReadingUSA2019! #1001books

Cathythoughts Lovely pic though 😊 5y
BarbaraBB @Cathythoughts Thank you 💕 . At home! 5y
KatieDid927 I did not enjoy this book either. 5y
See All 11 Comments
Kalalalatja Great decor 👌 5y
JanuarieTimewalker13 I really really liked that book!! I think it‘s bc I just like glimpses into different cultures. 5y
Susanita This book contained a sentence that went on for 2.5 pages! 🤬 5y
Rachel_nyc Uh oh. I was planning on reading it this year but I may put it off. 5y
BarbaraBB @JanuarieTimewalker13 I do too, very much even, and I did like the cultural aspects of the book. I don‘t know why I wasn‘t interested in the family. 5y
BarbaraBB @KatieDid927 I am happy to hear that! 5y
BarbaraBB @Susanita Yes, with a lot of repeating in it 😉. I did like that sentence, actually, it describes Oscar‘s arrival in the DR, or do you mean another one? 5y
JanuarieTimewalker13 It happens! 5y
77 likes4 stack adds11 comments
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Peaslady
Panpan

I bailed on this originally but revisited it at the behest of my husband, who thought I'd enjoy it because it's prizewinning modern literature. I just didn't. The incredibly stylised narration by the college roommate irked me, as did the fact that the title suggests Oscar will be your main character when in reality it's a story of the whole family - I was always impatient to get back to him when actually his tale was the least interesting.

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MelissaSue81
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I really liked this. The main characters were so well written. And the way it was told, a multi generational story via one narrator, (although sometimes 2?) was so unique. I got a little confused with some of the older generations without knowing a lot of the places and history.. maybe would have done better with print than with audio.. but I felt like I might have missed something there. ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️