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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.
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
bethtmorris's review
3.0
Good but I think I read this a little too soon after Diaz's other short story book. The writing is still strong but it felt trite after reading the other book only a few months ago. I still don't understand why Dominican men cheat so much!!
audaciaray's review
3.0
Beautiful, fast and loose writing.
For me, Drown was most fascinating as a meditation on masculinity (with heady doses of class, race, and immigration too). The men in the stories are pretty much all unsympathetic characters, except sometimes the boys. But only sometimes. But Diaz does this complicated thing, in which he lured me into disliking the characters, but also feeling sad on their behalf without exactly pitying them.
For me, Drown was most fascinating as a meditation on masculinity (with heady doses of class, race, and immigration too). The men in the stories are pretty much all unsympathetic characters, except sometimes the boys. But only sometimes. But Diaz does this complicated thing, in which he lured me into disliking the characters, but also feeling sad on their behalf without exactly pitying them.