Lit Lawvers discussion

This is the long-awaited first novel from one of the most original and memorable writers working today.

Things have never been easy for Oscar, a sweet but disastrously overweight ghetto nerd, a New Jersey romantic who dreams of becoming the Dominican J.R.R. Tolkien and, most of all, of finding love. But he may never get what he wants, thanks to the fukú — the ancient curse that has haunted the Oscar's family for generations, dooming them to prison, torture, tragic accidents, and, above all, ill-starred love. Oscar, still dreaming of his first kiss, is only its most recent victim - until the fateful summer that he decides to be its last.

With dazzling energy and insight, Junot Díaz immerses us in the uproarious lives of our hero Oscar, his runaway sister Lola, and their ferocious beauty-queen mother Belicia, and in the epic journey from Santo Domingo to Washington Heights to New Jersey's Bergenline and back again. Rendered with uncommon warmth and humor, The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao presents an astonishing vision of the contemporary American experience and the endless human capacity to persevere - and to risk it all - in the name of love.

A true literary triumph, this novel confirms Junot Díaz as one of the best and most exciting writers of our time.

I've reached the halfway point in the book. I have to admit that I would not have picked this book to read, except for it being a group read. But it's good.

For those of you who have not started, I think it is worth your time to read. Plus you can say that you read a Pulitzer Prize winning book.

I didn't nominate this book but I voted for it because I've owned a copy for over two years and really needed a swift kick in the butt to pick it up and read it. SO thanks to whoever did nominate this, I'm excited to start it soon :)

Also as an admitted e-book addict, I'm actually excited to pick up a real book to read because it has been longer than I'd like to admit. I already put this copy through the ringer while lounging in the pool and reading, oh summer.

From the title of the book, I think Oscar is supposed to have a brief and wondrous life. How wondrous do you think it was?

Can't wait to discuss this book as all the footnotes I ended up looking up on Google or wiki to get more info

I'm 10% in, reading on my kindle. I don't know if I can do it, guys. He hasn't used a single set of quotation marks yet. It's annoying enough when writers use the single quotation mark (UK writers excepted, I guess...), but this is driving me absolutely insane.

I can't be the only one feeling this way, right?

I also struggled at the beginning of the book. But, I eventually got used to the writer's rhythms and styles and ended up really enjoying the book.

Brian wrote: "I can't be the only one feeling this way, right?"

You are not alone, it drives me crazy too. For those who also find themselves wishing they knew more Spanish slang or nerd pop culture I found this wiki to be particularly helpful: http://www.annotated-oscar-wao.com/. I'm now wishing I actually was reading this on an e-device so I didn't have to pick up my phone to look something up every few pages. Overall though I'm enjoying this book!

Thanks for the link. I thought I had a handle on Spanish (being a so cal native), but there is a ton of slang here that I'd never heard. It's nice to know I don't have to re-read for context to figure it all out now. :)

That's a great reference. I had many pauses while reading the book, trying to figure out the reference or non-English.

No problem! I thought my Spanish AND nerd culture were good until I started reading this book. I actually googled "meteselo" because I thought it meant "molest", and though it does not, the meaning is similar. I stumbled upon that website and I've bookmarked it and referenced it quite a few times already.

This is an amazing story and I''ve learnt a lot of history as I went. I was consumed by the venal characters and the footnotes were fantastic, I Googled as I went. Is this metafiction. I know in interviews he said he is not the character but I decided to make it him anyway as its told from such an involved POV, is this metafiction?

It's the last few days before turning to the next book, so please share your thoughts. Do your best to convince those in the group who have not read the book that they should read it. (or not read it.)