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Matthew's Reviews > The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao
The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao
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by
Matthew's review
bookshelves: 2021, completist-book-club, magical-realism, historical-fiction, audio, library
Mar 10, 2021
bookshelves: 2021, completist-book-club, magical-realism, historical-fiction, audio, library
3 to 3.5 stars
I did enjoy this book, but in the end I was left wondering what it was all for? It richly develops with lots of details to suddenly come to an end without anything really happening. Basically - here is Oscar's life, some background on why things are the way they are, and here's where it all ended up. The end.
If you like really detailed Historical Fiction, this is the book for you. There is a lot of very descriptive and thorough information about the political and social structure of the Dominican Republic in the mid-20th century. This is something you are really going to love if it is your thing, or it may bring the book to a halt (and cause a few DNFs) if it is not.
The overall language and the treatment of women in this this book is a sign of the times. If you have issues reading historically accurate but rude and crass language and behavior, proceed with caution. The n-word appears a lot and any inappropriate description of a woman you can think of can be found in these pages. Again, accurate to the time and place, but maybe something you should consider before reading.
Overall, a great Historical Fiction read, but the story and its seeming lack of purpose left me wanting more.
I did enjoy this book, but in the end I was left wondering what it was all for? It richly develops with lots of details to suddenly come to an end without anything really happening. Basically - here is Oscar's life, some background on why things are the way they are, and here's where it all ended up. The end.
If you like really detailed Historical Fiction, this is the book for you. There is a lot of very descriptive and thorough information about the political and social structure of the Dominican Republic in the mid-20th century. This is something you are really going to love if it is your thing, or it may bring the book to a halt (and cause a few DNFs) if it is not.
The overall language and the treatment of women in this this book is a sign of the times. If you have issues reading historically accurate but rude and crass language and behavior, proceed with caution. The n-word appears a lot and any inappropriate description of a woman you can think of can be found in these pages. Again, accurate to the time and place, but maybe something you should consider before reading.
Overall, a great Historical Fiction read, but the story and its seeming lack of purpose left me wanting more.
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Reading Progress
March 1, 2021
–
Started Reading
March 1, 2021
– Shelved
March 1, 2021
– Shelved as:
2021
March 1, 2021
– Shelved as:
completist-book-club
March 1, 2021
– Shelved as:
magical-realism
March 1, 2021
– Shelved as:
historical-fiction
March 1, 2021
– Shelved as:
audio
March 1, 2021
– Shelved as:
library
March 6, 2021
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-8 of 8 (8 new)
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by
Sarah
(new)
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rated it 5 stars
Mar 10, 2021 12:53PM
I remembered this one very fondly! and then I went back to read again a couple years ago and it had lost some of its luster. Any time I see the name Trujillo it reminds me of this book.
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Appreciate the fair review and warnings. I've had this for quite sometime on my shelf. It may be there a lot longer!
Sarah wrote: "I remembered this one very fondly! and then I went back to read again a couple years ago and it had lost some of its luster. Any time I see the name Trujillo it reminds me of this book."It definitely has its moments I will remember. But, pobably won't go back later and try it again to see if my overall opinion of it changes.
Good review Matthew, you give it context as I did not like it much, but your review explained it far better than I could.
Chris wrote: "Appreciate the fair review and warnings. I've had this for quite sometime on my shelf. It may be there a lot longer!"Thanks, Chris! It's a tough call - you may love it, and I hope you do once you get to it!
Matthew I read his books after I read his essay in The New Yorker. I know it sounds weird but it made me want to read more of his stuff since he bases some of his character's off of people he knows. Plus this subject of the New Yorker article happened to my brother in foster care so it hit me hard. The article is called, "The Legacy of Childhood Trauma". It is a quick 5 minute read.
Jodell wrote: "Matthew I read his books after I read his essay in The New Yorker. I know it sounds weird but it made me want to read more of his stuff since he bases some of his character's off of people he knows..."Glad you enjoyed the book and the follow up read, Jodell! I can imagine if this subject matter hit close to home it would have a greater impact.
Also, thanks for sharing the info on the article!
John wrote: "Good review Matthew, you give it context as I did not like it much, but your review explained it far better than I could."Thank you, John! Glad I could help give some context.
Looks like I missed this comment when you posted it originally - my apologies! :)
