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The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2007

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Book Brief

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Junot Díaz

The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2007
Book Details
Pages

335

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Dominican Republic • 1980s

Publication Year

2007

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Lexile Level

1010L

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Super Short Summary

The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Díaz follows the life of Oscar de León, an overweight Dominican American who is passionate about fantasy novels, superhero comics, and role-playing games. The story spans multiple generations, exploring his family’s history under Rafael Trujillo's dictatorship and their subsequent migration to the United States, while delving into themes of love, identity, and cultural heritage. Sensitive topics such as violence and abuse are present in the narrative.

Mysterious

Dark

Bittersweet

Melancholic

Humorous

Reviews & Readership

4.1

276,216 ratings

70%

Loved it

21%

Mixed feelings

10%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Junot Díaz's The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao is celebrated for its vivid prose, blending magical realism with a compelling Dominican-American narrative. Critics praise its unique voice and cultural depth. Some, however, find its shifting timelines and footnotes distracting. Overall, Díaz crafts a poignant, multifaceted story that resonates deeply with readers.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao?

A reader who enjoys The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Díaz will likely appreciate multifaceted narratives blending magical realism with historical context. Fans of Gabriel García Márquez’s One Hundred Years of Solitude or Mario Vargas Llosa’s The Feast of the Goat will connect with its richly layered storytelling and cultural exploration.

4.1

276,216 ratings

70%

Loved it

21%

Mixed feelings

10%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

335

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Dominican Republic • 1980s

Publication Year

2007

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Lexile Level

1010L

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