The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao

By: Junot Diaz

Narrated by: Jonathan Davis, Staci Snell

Length: 16 hrs

Publisher's summary

Pulitzer Prize, Fiction, 2008

National Book Critics Circle Award, Fiction, 2008

Things have never been easy for Oscar, a sweet but disastrously overweight, lovesick Dominican ghetto nerd. From his home in New Jersey, where he lives with his old-world mother and rebellious sister, Oscar dreams of becoming the Dominican J. R. R. Tolkien and, most of all, of finding love. But he may never get what he wants, thanks to the Fuku: the curse that has haunted Oscar's family for generations, dooming them to prison, torture, tragic accidents, and, above all, ill-starred love. Oscar, still waiting for his first kiss, is just its most recent victim.

Diaz immerses us in the tumultuous life of Oscar and the history of the family at large, rendering with genuine warmth and dazzling energy, humor, and insight the Dominican-American experience – and, ultimately, the endless human capacity to persevere in the face of heartbreak and loss. A true literary triumph, The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao confirms Junot Diaz as one of the best and most exciting voices of our time.

Also includes the bestselling short story collection Drown.

©2007 Junot Diaz (P)2007 Penguin Audio, a member of Penguin Group (USA), Inc. and Books on Tape

Critic reviews

"An extraordinarily vibrant book that's fueled by adrenaline-powered prose... A book that decisively establishes [Díaz] as one of contemporary fiction's most distinctive and irresistible new voices." (Michiko Kakutani, The New York Times)

"Díaz finds a miraculous balance. He cuts his barn-burning comic-book plots (escape, ruin, redemption) with honest, messy realism, and his narrator speaks in a dazzling hash of Spanish, English, slang, literary flourishes, and pure virginal dorkiness." (New York Magazine)

"Genius... a story of the American experience that is giddily glorious and hauntingly horrific. And what a voice Yunior has. His narration is a triumph of style and wit, moving along Oscar de Leon's story with cracking, down-low humor, and at times expertly stunning us with heart-stabbing sentences. That Díaz's novel is also full of ideas, that [the narrator's] brilliant talking rivals the monologues of Roth's Zuckerman - in short, that what he has produced is a kick-ass (and truly, that is just the word for it) work of modern fiction - all make The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao something exceedingly rare: a book in which a new America can recognize itself, but so can everyone else." (San Francisco Chronicle)

Jonathan Davis is amazing

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

A lot of great things have been written about this book by The New York Times and others, and those are in fact true. It's a great story. But what makes this audiobook even more special is the excellent performance by Jonathan Davis and Staci Snell.

Interesting insight into Dominican history

Well-written and gripping book which describes contemporary American-Dominican life based on its cruel history. Excellent job by the story tellers in portraying the different characters and giving the listener a true and genuine listening experience.

a good luck at immigration from 2008

very well narrated, good storyline, a glimpse into the life of people of the Dominican Republic. especially relevant in today's time when our country struggles with attitudes and policies towards immigrants

Not the best for listening?

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

I can see why this is great writing. Beautiful prose, insightful storyline. Was listening on a roadtrip and that may not have been the best. This book is more "deep" than "entertaining."

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

no

What does Jonathan Davis and Staci Snell bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Good narration.

Was The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao worth the listening time?

Yes, but it is not going to be for "everyone"

Beautifully written

It helps to know some Spanish to really enjoy this book, which I do, but still missed several references. It's a simple story, full of colorful characters, including the real life Dominican Republic dictator Trujillo. I knew he was a bad guy, but didn't realize how bad, or for how long he terrorized the country. Skipping back and forth in time caused a little confusion, but not much, and I thoroughly enjoyed the story and the performances of the narrators who slipped between Spanish and English with perfect accents and inflection.

A Historical Journey

If you digg stories about the journeys of family's history and how their lives affect their descendents, this is the book! It reminds me of the story by Bernice McFadden entitled "NOWHERE IS A PLACE" how it seamlessly weaves the present with the past.

I thoroughly enjoyed this historical journey of this Dominican Republican family. I genuinely felt the triumphs, the tragedies, the pain, I even smelled the food and saw the land as I opened my mind and allowed this detailed story take me away.

--B4

Better to Read About Than Experience

What did you like best about The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao? What did you like least?

The Spanish Phrases. I followed up on these with dictionaries and websites.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

Answers the question on the cover. I was guessing all along what would happen, but I didn't get the correct ending.

What about Jonathan Davis and Staci Snell ’s performance did you like?

They had good expressive voices that helped to understand the different characters.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

Probably not. Too much violence--sickening corruption.

Any additional comments?

I read this for a book club. For about two thirds of the book it's a mixture of comedy and violence. Then, it's mostly violence such as what human rights organizations try to prevent. The wonder is Oscar's determination and understanding of what he needs for satisfaction, and the obstacles he faces. He refused to be a stereotype.

wonderful, complex, funny

This is an amazing book, and is a great example of how an audible book can be a better experience than reading the same book. It is difficult at times, but it also was riveting, hilarious and poignant.

Cannot thank my English Professor enough

Would you consider the audio edition of The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao to be better than the print version?

Okay, firstly this is a double edged question. As much as I love audiobooks for its convenience, there really isn't anything like sitting back and losing yourself in a great book. I enjoyed this book from purchasing and reading the book myself that I figured why not listen to the book at work. So I would say it has equal enjoyment.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao?

Oscar's decision to be with ........

Which scene was your favorite?

Beli whipping the Gangster's ass

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I don't think I can read this book or listen to this book without my heart bleeding for Oscar, but yes there were some definite memorable hysterical moments.

Any additional comments?

I love Junot Diaz's style and format for writing. The way he incorporates each of the lives of each family member to show how it has that final impact on the main character was perfect. Truly a masterpiece.

The history is the best part

The story of Oscar Wao was a tad weak but I really loved the background history of The Trujillo era in the Dominican Republic. It actually encouraged me to read In the Time of Butterflies.