Reviews

Drown by Junot Díaz

alex_watkins's review

4.0

After really loving his Pulitzer prize winning follow-up, I went to read this one. There are some great stories in here, and just like most short story collections some weaker ones. I think my main complaint was that it didn't have the twist on the immigrant story that Wao has. I could never tell if the stories were all following the same people or not, most were variations on the immigrant theme. My favorite story was the titular Drown which did twist up the story in a surprising way, or at least surprising if you don't know what pato means and have to look it up halfway through the story after realizing its important.

strawbecky113's review

challenging informative reflective tense slow-paced

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

3.25

lila_loves_nici's review

dark informative reflective fast-paced

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

2.75

hnksmt's review

funny hopeful sad medium-paced

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

4.0

lsparrow's review

4.0

loved the writing although not to be read lightly.

psychedelicgingerbeer's review

emotional reflective fast-paced

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

5.0

juhmeejohns's review

dark emotional funny lighthearted reflective sad fast-paced

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

4.0

juliahascats's review

3.0

Loved A Brief Wondrous Life...this one was good, but not as compelling?

pinkpaperbunny's review

emotional funny hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

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

5.0

missmim's review against another edition

4.0

It's clear from this collection of short stories that Diaz's voice is strong and poetic, and that the potential for what eventually became "...Oscar Wao" already existed here. The stories are masterful and sad, matter-of-fact vignettes about life in DR and New Jersey and how the American Dream lets down nearly all of the people that pursue it. As much as I liked it, after this I definitely have to read something cheerful and happy.