Reviews

Drown by Junot Díaz

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.

rageofachilles's review

4.0

Taught this in my American Literature class at Baylor. Highly recommended. Great set of stories that focus on the life of Dominican Republic immigrants.

colemanwarnerwriter's review

4.0

For a person who says, "I hope to God I never have to writer a short story [again]," he sure does write some damn good stories.

jordanm77's review

3.0

Drown offers a personal, almost auto-biographical picture of the struggles faced by Dominican-American immigrants. The story follows the main character, Yunior, and branches off at different points to follow the narratives of his family members. Major themes: family, the American dream, sexuality. Yunior is learning what it looks like to be a man from his father Ramon and his brother Rafa, but the reader quickly sees the shortcomings and the way their mistakes affect Yunior. A good read - really interesting and captivating narration.

book_me's review

4.0

There is no doubt that Junot Díaz is a fantastic writer. After reading This is How You Lose Her, I was sold, and I've been looking forward to seeing what he can do with a short story since Drown debuted.

I enjoyed these stories, but I wasn't overwhelmed by them in the same way that I was overwhelmed by This is How You Lose Her. Díaz has a unique ability to capture the power and significance in seemingly unexceptional events. I think that power is fully realized in his novels, where he has space to really dig in. That being said, I would not discourage anyone from reading anything by this author.

Also, I have to add: Díaz explores the theme of masculinity more honestly and more intensely than any writer I have ever read. He is devoted to exploring its shortcomings, boundaries, and fragilities, as much as (if not more than) its strengths, and that kind of honesty is what makes his prose so breathtaking to me.

chellereadsrd's review

Ysrael *****
I enjoy the way Junot Díaz writes, specially because of the way he mixes in dominican words; though, sometimes I find myself cringing at some of the curse words. Nonetheless, they are very much part of our day to day vocabulary.

Regarding this particular story, I must admit that the sheer violence depicted bothered me, not just the whole situation regarding Ysrael, but also their ride in the bus. I guess this short story, as well as everything I've read from Junot, shows me how sheltered my life has really been. It shows me things that I've only heard about in passing, but never really stopped to think about.

caleb_tankersley's review

3.0

Diaz is a good writer, there's no fault about that. However, he's not what I'd call a versatile writer. The sad fact is that you can read the first four stories and just skim the rest without missing anything.

jaysnothere's review

challenging informative reflective sad medium-paced

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

1.5

anikafuloria's review

challenging emotional funny lighthearted reflective medium-paced

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

4.0

snaranjo8's review

4.0

It’s a general four, but compared to his other works, it doesn’t have the same sparkle