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3.68 AVERAGE
3.68 AVERAGE
Diaz can turn a phrase, but his characterization in this series of vignettes was quite one note. I don't mind unlikeable characters, so Yunior's lack of growth & consistent view of women as objects as opposed to fully realized people wasn't the problem. Diaz's attempt to write one vignette from a woman's perspective betrayed either his inability to write women or perhaps the fact that he may share many of Yunior's views. While it's been awhile since I read Oscar Wao, I fear this may be a theme.
The beauty of his writing and the flow did keep me engaged.
The beauty of his writing and the flow did keep me engaged.
Brilliant, as always. I love the way that Diaz orders his stories. He's an amazing short story writer.
Persistent use of “nigger” doesn’t automatically produce good literature.
I adored Oscar Wao, so this book was a bit of a disappointment. It's like Oscar, except all cheating all the time and no LOTR references. I heard on NPR that this was his response to critics that he's a misogynist, and if that's the case... yeah. This book was a quick read, and I still love Diaz, but it just made me feel like he can't write women at all. It also made me feel like I needed to take a shower.
Not a huge fan of this book...the men were unlikabable and sexist. Overall the characters were very one dimensional and I was glad when the book finally ended.
This book took me forever to read because it made me absolutely hate Yunoir. At the same time though he was so sad that I wanted to sympathize with him.
Basically you lose her by cheating, lying, and continuously denying. Also by being stupid, reckless, unappreciative, and a non-stop LIAR.
This is how Yunior loses her.
This is how he struggles - with his heart, with his family, with his past, with himself, with his life, especially with his decisions.
And this is how he suffers - with regret.
And this is how he copes - by gradually, eventually moving on and moreover, starting over again. Because "... sometimes, a start is all we ever get."
Not only do you get to witness the stories and more importantly the developments of the main character, but you realize how the other characters around him suffered and struggled too - most of the time even as much as him. Each character has its own struggle, problem, dilemma, or even frustration in life. This book is more of an understanding of these perspectives as well as the different backgrounds and cultures (of each one of the characters even though the story was targeted mainly at Yunior).
The writing style was interesting for me. Simple, direct to the point, and most of all honest. Reality at its finest. No filter or anything. It was also nice learning some Spanish along the way haha! Despite the vulgarity, there were a lot of times the stories still made me interested and even made me laugh. Basically it still made sense, which is what mainly matters for me.
What amazes me is it was written so simply, yet it still kept you on your feet. You'd think with that kind of writing it would make it plain, dull, and boring. It wasn't boring although honestly at times I was already dragged by it. It makes you roll your eyes and ask what's the point. You feel sometimes it was going around in circles. But then in the end there always usually is (a point), which is good and was really fine by me (because its better than not having any point at all). The narration of the story's just long I guess but then eventually you understand. Basically despite this downside, it isn't enough to make me dislike or hate on the writing. It was still interesting. This includes the whole story and the entire book itself.
Although weird and eccentric, and others may dislike the way it was written because of how vulgar, harsh, and even disgusting it was, but it was just a matter of perspective I guess. Instead of looking at it that way, I just thought it was really just... reality. It made the story more real in a way and it makes you deal with it. That these things actually happen, especially in certain parts of the world.
Anyway, if you're not open and anywhere interested in learning a new language and culture, and if you cannot stand reality - or moreover vulgar and harsh reality (as I have said) written and published into a book, and if you're expecting a simple story with a typical happy ending, maybe or most likely, this book is not for you.
This is how Yunior loses her.
This is how he struggles - with his heart, with his family, with his past, with himself, with his life, especially with his decisions.
And this is how he suffers - with regret.
And this is how he copes - by gradually, eventually moving on and moreover, starting over again. Because "... sometimes, a start is all we ever get."
Not only do you get to witness the stories and more importantly the developments of the main character, but you realize how the other characters around him suffered and struggled too - most of the time even as much as him. Each character has its own struggle, problem, dilemma, or even frustration in life. This book is more of an understanding of these perspectives as well as the different backgrounds and cultures (of each one of the characters even though the story was targeted mainly at Yunior).
The writing style was interesting for me. Simple, direct to the point, and most of all honest. Reality at its finest. No filter or anything. It was also nice learning some Spanish along the way haha! Despite the vulgarity, there were a lot of times the stories still made me interested and even made me laugh. Basically it still made sense, which is what mainly matters for me.
What amazes me is it was written so simply, yet it still kept you on your feet. You'd think with that kind of writing it would make it plain, dull, and boring. It wasn't boring although honestly at times I was already dragged by it. It makes you roll your eyes and ask what's the point. You feel sometimes it was going around in circles. But then in the end there always usually is (a point), which is good and was really fine by me (because its better than not having any point at all). The narration of the story's just long I guess but then eventually you understand. Basically despite this downside, it isn't enough to make me dislike or hate on the writing. It was still interesting. This includes the whole story and the entire book itself.
Although weird and eccentric, and others may dislike the way it was written because of how vulgar, harsh, and even disgusting it was, but it was just a matter of perspective I guess. Instead of looking at it that way, I just thought it was really just... reality. It made the story more real in a way and it makes you deal with it. That these things actually happen, especially in certain parts of the world.
Anyway, if you're not open and anywhere interested in learning a new language and culture, and if you cannot stand reality - or moreover vulgar and harsh reality (as I have said) written and published into a book, and if you're expecting a simple story with a typical happy ending, maybe or most likely, this book is not for you.
Enjoyed much of this book. Several passages were hilarious and memorable, especially the main character's internal monologues and advice, his scheming and rationalizations. But the lewd, vulgar, language wore me down. The coarseness, but also the down in the dumps narrator.
great writing, enjoyed the short stories and his humor.