Drown

the collection of short stories can be viewed as an overall story of the narrator in different time periods OR short stories that intertwine with each other in a context of living in a Dominican community. Junot's use of not translating or even italicizing the Spanish words is referenced in the beginning quote from Gustavo Perez Firmat. If you are monolingual and are interested in the US Latino experience, Diaz poignantly gives you an East Coast view. Be sure to have google translator handy if you want to get a better understanding of the Spanish words used in the stories. This is what makes Latino literature unique!!!!

This book details the trials and tribulations of immigrants from the Dominican Republic. Life is never easy, and they just barely manage to keep noses above water. It also characterizes really terrible behavior of men to their women. The culture they bring with them is truly misogynous; it will not be enjoyable for women to read.
There does not seem to be any plot, other than that of daily survival.

This book was in dreadful need of a good editor and it didn't find one. It uses Spanish words not familiar to many, without explanation, the plot shifts arbitrarily and the narratives are contradictory from one chapter to the next. It has some redeeming qualities as a sociocultural exploration but i can't recommend it.