Literary Award Winners Fiction Book Club discussion

Please use this discussion thread to discuss the book through the first third of The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao. Please, no spoilers beyond the first third of the book.

I'm on the waitlist for it at the library...hopefully I will be able to start it soon.

Debbie wrote: "I'm so excited about this book group. I just started Oscar Wao -- anyone else? Is the plan to devour one award winner per month with Oscar Wao kicking us off for June? Debbie"

Hi Debbie,
The plan is to read 100 pages a week (average) so not quite one book per month.

I'm glad you're excited to read this one. I've already read it in the past and am looking forward to seeing how other people feel about it.

I'm halfway through right now, and kind of disappointed. There are flashes of humor, but the story is unremarkable and in my humble opinion it is too graphic. I am enjoying the glimpse into DR culture however.

Philbartu wrote: "I'm halfway through right now, and kind of disappointed. There are flashes of humor, but the story is unremarkable and in my humble opinion it is too graphic. I am enjoying the glimpse into DR cu..."

The halfway point is when I wanted to throw the book across the room. Luckily it's not such a hard read so you can get through it pretty quick and end your misery. :)

I'm having a hard time getting into it. Am I the only one? =/

Chantal E. wrote: "I'm having a hard time getting into it. Am I the only one? =/"

No. This is one of my most despised books of all time and was really disappointed when it got voted in as our first choice. Don't read it if you are having too hard a time. Trust me, it's not worth it! And it's just a casual online book club. :)

Phew! Ok good, I was feeling really guilty, haha. Now I feel OK in putting it down. thank you Tamara! and sorry to the rest of you guys =(

Sorry for nominating it. It looked interesting, but I'm not enjoying it. I can't stop reading though, I guess it is some kind of mental problem I have that I can't stop reading a book even if it is horrible.

Don't apologize for nominating!

I used to be the same way, only recently have I been able to step away from a book I wasn't enjoying, without finishing it and not feeling too guilty about it, etc.

Philbartu wrote: "Sorry for nominating it. It looked interesting, but I'm not enjoying it. I can't stop reading though, I guess it is some kind of mental problem I have that I can't stop reading a book even if it ..."

Don't be silly, Philbartu! I had wanted to read the book for a long time and then read it and hated it. It happens sometimes. But, maybe a good discussion we can have at the end is why we think this book won so many freaking awards!?

I usually try to tough a book out til the end, but occasionally I'll give up. This one I finished because I just couldn't stop even though I hated it!

Debbie wrote: "Just finished Oscar Wao. I'm not quite so down on it as some of you, although it's left a taste that I seem to want to gargle out with Listerine. On the positive side, Diaz does create a strong s..."

Hi Debbie,

Can you please post your comment in the "last third" discussion of Oscar Wao? This is for the first third discussion thread and since you've finished the book and these seem to be your final thoughts, I think the "last third" discussion would be a better place to post. Thanks!