Reviews

Kratko, čudovito življenje Oscarja Waa by Alenka Bole Vrabec, Junot Díaz

tonatyuh's review against another edition

5.0

4.5*

OK so this took me a shit ton of time to finish but here we are!

His writing style sometimes reminds me of Vonnegut, yet still emulates a unique voice.

This whole story is so real it hurts your soul, but somehow Diaz manages to implement some light in all the darkness in the end.

I really enjoyed this wow.

3/10/22 - second time reading

Reading this again was just such an amazing experience.

I loved everything again and although the story can get really dark it's just a story that sticks with you and you find yourself wanting to return again and again.

I'm just speechless. Like idk this revisit really really worked for me

rishmac's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

michellechien930's review against another edition

5.0

Yeah...I really enjoyed this book (also assigned for my contemporary fiction class), it's definitely one of my favorite books of the year. Was kinda wary that book would come off as kinda incel-ish, but it's really more so the story of a myriad of superbly interesting characters: Oscar's rebellious sister Lola, his douchey college roommate, his resilient mother Beli and his unfortunate granduncle Abelard. I particularly loved the chapters with Lola and Yunior; through their eyes Oscar was painted in a much more sympathetic, kind light than he was in his personal chapters. The language is gorgeous to read, a real mix of wonderful laugh-out-loud nerd culture and Dominican pride. Although I've read about Junot Diaz's controversies and do not agree with him personally, I do think that his writing is amazing, and most definitely Pulitzer-worthy.

jennifromthebooks's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

klparmley's review against another edition

1.0

Just couldn't get into it.

jmcook's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective sad slow-paced

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

1.0

mirandamcilheran's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

judi_ly's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional funny reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

jenn_geeks_out's review against another edition

emotional medium-paced

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

3.0

marderosas's review against another edition

3.0

Gostei do livro enquanto retrato de uma população sufocada pelo autoritarismo e expressão das crenças que os permitem continuarem com seus caminhos, a forma como o autor retrata essa situação através de três gerações é fenomenal e atinge seu ápice nos capítulos focados na adolescência interrompida de Beli. Mas acho que o estilo informal “descolado” adotado na narração não faz jus a história contada, e às vezes soa como um livro completamente diferente do que ele é.