Our final book discussion was on August 18. So sorry to see it come to an end!
The theme of this book is "a hopeful quest, sad love story, a nerd hoping to have a sexual relationship, moving toward his doom". The language used in the book is somewhat different - possibly the language that the author grew up with and language of the culture. A person may not know the exact meaning of some of the words or phrases used in the book, but gets the jest of what is being said/written. Junot Diaz puts an insight into the novel. He delves into the politics of their country/culture and ours. These things need to be known/studied.
Several participants in the book discussion commented on how they thought the footnotes were very helpful in understanding certain phrases, sections of the book and the history relating to the culture.
The novel begins with the narrator's description of the curse, called fake americanus—a curse which was brought over to the islands of Antilles when the Europeans came. Oscar seemed to be the person that was the "victim" of his family's fukú. Oscar is very polished, speaks in elvish - literary compliment. He is both heroic and foolish. He felt that this is what he had to do - his mission.
The theme of this book is "a hopeful quest, sad love story, a nerd hoping to have a sexual relationship, moving toward his doom". The language used in the book is somewhat different - possibly the language that the author grew up with and language of the culture. A person may not know the exact meaning of some of the words or phrases used in the book, but gets the jest of what is being said/written. Junot Diaz puts an insight into the novel. He delves into the politics of their country/culture and ours. These things need to be known/studied.
Several participants in the book discussion commented on how they thought the footnotes were very helpful in understanding certain phrases, sections of the book and the history relating to the culture.
The novel begins with the narrator's description of the curse, called fake americanus—a curse which was brought over to the islands of Antilles when the Europeans came. Oscar seemed to be the person that was the "victim" of his family's fukú. Oscar is very polished, speaks in elvish - literary compliment. He is both heroic and foolish. He felt that this is what he had to do - his mission.
Oscar struggled with the family dynamics – the personalities of each family member, cultural background, values, and personal or family experiences.
From the start we know that Oscar is going to die - an interesting/clever way to start the book. What is it that make his life "wondrous"? The author is in complete control. 
We just finished this book at South Broadway and it was amazing! Our participants had many wonderful (dare I say wondrous?) comments and insights to the book. Thank you for hosting this and giving the citizens of your part of New Mexico this great opportunity to engage with one another.
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