 |
|
|
|
|
If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above.
You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed.
To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.
|
02-16-2008, 02:51 PM
|
|
Moderator
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 7,048
(119)
|
|
|
04-01-2008, 08:34 AM
|
|
Gold
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,515
(10)
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chirimoya
|
There several people on the waiting list to get this book from the local library. I almost finished reading it - what a talented writer! It has answered so many questions I had about Dominicans and the DR - much more clearly than even this forum. 
Last edited by Alyonka; 04-01-2008 at 08:39 AM.
|
04-02-2008, 02:36 PM
|
|
Bronze
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 93
(10)
|
|
This is a great book. I'm English, not merely old but "old school", so a full-length novel written in "hip" American ghetto slang and liberally peppered with Spanish terms and phrases unknown to my large Collins Spanish Dictionary, and with a heavy reliance on references to science and fantasy fiction and comic books (all of which I despise), I would not usually touch with a barge-pole, but I loved this one and neglected my other duties until I had finished it.
I have read most of the ninety-odd reviews of the book on Amazon and I think that many readers miss the point when they complain that the title is a misnomer because only a small part of the book describes Oscar's "life" and that while he may be a physically well-rounded person his character is flat and clichéd. The title surely is ironic. Oscar has really neither a life or a personality to speak of. He is just a peg on which to hang an analysis of Dominican society on the island and in Nueba Yol, which the author perceives to be generally nasty. It is Dominican "culture" itself which is the "fukú" and bad things and bad people will inevitably surface because the whole fabric is built on rotten foundations of ignorance, greed and racism. You could almost say that the heart of the book is in its historic footnotes.
This first time I read the book for pure enjoyment. If I have time before my forthcoming emigration to the DR (and I sincerely hope I do not have) I would like to re-read it and list the hundreds of "Dominican Spanish" words and phrases which have defeated both my very rudimentary knowledge of Spanish and my big Collins Dictionary and appeal here for help in translating them. That should prove very educational for me and hopefully for others.
|
04-02-2008, 02:55 PM
|
|
Silver
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 317
(24)
|
|
Funnyyale, I understand how you must feel at times reading some of the negative posts, but believe me the people posting the negative comments are just as quick to post negative comments about all things, gringo or latino. The more thoughtful commentors will give balanced opinions across the board. With regard to Mr. Diaz's books, I have read them both, and have loved them both, and I have offered my opinions in several venues, (Dominican Today, as davidjule, for one, if you care to check). Please give us gringos a benefit of a doubt. We are not all "ugly Americans".
|
04-02-2008, 04:36 PM
|
|
Gold
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,515
(10)
|
|
[quote=london777;624914]
This first time I read the book for pure enjoyment. If I have time before my forthcoming emigration to the DR (and I sincerely hope I do not have) I would like to re-read it and list the hundreds of "Dominican Spanish" words and phrases which have defeated both my very rudimentary knowledge of Spanish and my big Collins Dictionary and appeal here for help in translating them. That should prove very educational for me and hopefully for others.[/QUOTE]
I agree. I would love to re-read this book again with a better knowledge and understanding of Dominican Spanish expressions used by the author. I was able to guess meaning of some of them - but definitely not all.
|
04-05-2008, 12:59 AM
|
|
Gold
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,345
(35)
|
|
Authors@Google: Junot Díaz
|
04-06-2008, 01:33 PM
|
|
Bronze
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2002
Posts: 16
(10)
|
|
Book "The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao" by Junot Diaz
In writing this book, Junot Diaz has a good sense of humor and a vivid imagination. For those not familiar with Dominican History or Culture and want to get to know about, this is also a good read. Quite a few people unfamiliar with Dominicanisms who read the book are or have been confused. Junot Diaz could have used footnotes explaining or translating those expressions, as well as the many Spanglish terms found in the book.
|
04-06-2008, 01:55 PM
|
|
Moderator
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 7,048
(119)
|
|
Does anyone know when Junot-who will be launching his book in Santo Domingo?
|
04-15-2008, 11:43 AM
|
|
Gold
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,500
(51)
|
|
Bought the book - A Brief and wondrous......I like the begining but when he made the transition into the mother's story i got a little lost but i am loving the story of Oscar's mom in Santo Domingo's Trujillo.
|
04-15-2008, 12:28 PM
|
|
Gold
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 581
(45)
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by M.A.R.
Bought the book - A Brief and wondrous......I like the begining but when he made the transition into the mother's story i got a little lost but i am loving the story of Oscar's mom in Santo Domingo's Trujillo.
|
I'll be getting it soon. Can't wait. (I had to order it.)
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
|
|
