110154896862b5

** spoiler alert ** Oscar is a "ghetto nerd." He is Dominican and supposed to be a great lover, but he loves comic books, is overweight, and just doesn't fit in throughout his life. The novel follows Oscar's life, mostly through his experiences (or lack-thereof) with women, as well as following his family's experiences in both the US and the DR (mostly his mom and sister). The voice here is "Yunior" - a sometimes boyfriend of Oscar's sister who can't keep it in his pants and rooms with Oscar at college out of pity. He seems to be the author's representation of himself. Oscar's endless mad love for unattainable (and messed up) women kills him in the end (with the family curse to help). Themes: race stereotypes, a little ancient magic, love and its manifestations, multi-culturalism, effect of parents on children This isn't about Oscar to the extent I thought it would be. It's just as much about Yunior and Oscar's sister and Beli (Oscar's mom). This wasn't disappointing or anything, the others stories were interesting, but sometimes things seemed out of place, like they had nothing to do with each other. I've enjoyed other books with a large cast of characters that happen over time more. This seemed slightly convoluted.

2022-11-14 16:42