I will keep this review short because I just didn’t like this book. At all. This book was just not my cup of tea. Plainly put, it was quite vulgar and crass and just not at all what I want in my reading. I’m not necessarily sorry that I read it, though, as I do have a commitment to reading all of the Pulitzers. I just wish the committee had chosen a different book.
There was a section in the middle that was quite interesting about the brutal reign of Trujillo in the Dominican Republic. If not for that section, the book would have only received a 1 star rating. It did have quite a few literary references that were somewhat enjoyable as well, but no, that does not make up for the rest of it I did not enjoy. I am just glad that I can now mark this one off my tbr list.
(By the way, the finalists in 2008 were Tree of Smoke by Denis Johnson and Shakespeare’s Kitchen by Lore Segal. If you’ve read Oscar and one or both of the finalists, how did they compare?)
2007, 339 pp.
[Disclaimer: This copy was obtained from my public library.]
I’m sorry you didn’t like “Oscar”, because I loved it. Anyway, I agree with the fact that it’s not everyone’s cup of tea.
Too bad you didn’t enjoy this. I had it out from the library, but did’t get a chance to read it. I haven’t tried again, but imagine I will eventually.
I haven’t read read OSCAR WAO, but have seen reviews that come down strongly on one side of the fence or the other – either love it or hate it – no middle of the road.
I’m impressed that you lasted more than your usual 50 pages test with this one.
I am sorry you didn’t like this. I have it on audio book from the library and I will be listening to it when I get done with the one I am listening to now. I have heard people either love it or hate it. I am curious as to which side I will fall on myself.
It’s funny. I loved Oscar but I can see how people might not. My sister and my brother-in-law are very into gaming and I think that helped with a lot of the obscure story lines. I asked them a lot of questions. It seems to have almost been written as a graphic novel…novel and they tend to be a bit violent and crass. After watching Watchmen, I had a better appreciation for the violence and weirdness of Oscar Wao. Of course that sort of thing isn’t usually my cup of tea but I think when all of the elements were tied together, it worked (for me). Now, my MOTHER liked it and THAT I can’t explain!
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