The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao

Version: Unabridged
Author: Staci Snell , Junot Diaz
Narrator: Jonathan Davis
Genres: Literature
Publisher: Penguin Audiobooks
Published In: September 2007
# of Units: 13 CDs
Length: 5 hours
Ratings:
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Overview

The long-awaited-and thrillingly satisfying, genuinely original-first novel from the unmistakable voice behind the story collection Drown.

Díazs short story collection, "Drown", is included (on the last five CDs) with the talented, emerging Dominican-American writers first novel.

Selected Reviews

Good, but not for everyone

by Del
  • Book Rating: 4/5

Not for Me

by Catharine Cosoleto
  • Book Rating: 2/5

More...

Read All 2

Reviews (2)

Good, but not for everyone

Written by Del on February 5th, 2010

  • Book Rating: 4/5

I like books set in a historical setting, even if that setting is recent. Listening to this book showed me how ignorant of the politics and history of the Dominican Republic I was. Also because it was wrapped in an interesting story I learned something while enjoying it. There is a lot of use of the "N" word in this book, but it seems to be used to make the language seem authenticate and not as a slur. I thought it was funny that the reader seemed to have an easier time saying that then the word ain't. Every time he had to use ain't it seemed almost painful for him to utter. This book is 1/3 Spanish, 1/3 geek, 1/3 History/Politics. My Spanish is a bit rusty but passible enough that the Spanish portions of the text were understandable and I have a current geek card so I was able to understand those references. I think if you are missing both the geek references and the spanish text you'll have a hard time getting into the story and understanding what is going on.

Not for Me

Written by Catharine Cosoleto on January 20th, 2008

  • Book Rating: 2/5

After seeing this book listed as one of the best of 2007, I decided to give it a try, but it was not for me. The long passages regarding the politics of the Dominican Republic detracted from the flow of the story. The untranslated Spanish phrases and cultural references made me feel like an outsider. Also, the frequent use of the "n word" was offensive. When I realized that I was no longer looking forward to listening, I gave it up (something I rarely do). I guess I will never find out what made Oscar's life "wondrous".

Selected Reviews

Good, but not for everyone

by Del
  • Book Rating: 4/5

Not for Me

by Catharine Cosoleto
  • Book Rating: 2/5

More...

Read All 2

Author Details

Author Details

Diaz, Junot

Junot Daaz's fiction has appeared in "The New Yorker," "The Paris Review," and "The Best American Short Stories," His debut story collection, "Drown," was a publishing sensation of unprecedented acclaim, became a national bestseller, won numerous awards, and is now a landmark of contemporary literature. He was born and raised in the Dominican Republic, and now lives in New York City and Boston, where he teaches at MIT.