The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao

The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao 

• Genre: Fiction; contemporary; magical realism 
• Originally Published: 2007 
• Reading Level/Interest: Lexile 1010L; College/Adult 
• Structure/Length: Approximately 335 pages; approximately 9 hours, 53 minutes on audiobook
• Protagonist/Central Conflict: The protagonist, Oscar Wao, is a larger-bodied Dominican American, self-proclaimed nerd, and aspiring writer. The central conflict revolves around Oscar’s experiences with love and family as he struggles with acceptance and a curse that has plagued his family for generations. The story is set against the backdrop of Dominican history and dictatorship. 
• Potential Sensitivity Issues: Themes of dictatorship and violence; explicit language; sexual content; exploration of cultural identity and diaspora

Junot Díaz, Author 

• Bio: Born in the Dominican Republic in 1968; raised in New Jersey; known for his distinctive blend of Spanglish, erudite references, and street slang; explores themes of immigration, identity, and the Dominican diaspora; his works are noted for their vivid characterization and cultural commentary 
• Other Works: Drown (1996); This Is How You Lose Her (2012) 
• Awards: National Book Critics Circle Award (2007); Pulitzer Prize for Fiction (2008); Anisfield-Wolf Book Award (2008)

CENTRAL THEMES connected and noted throughout this Teaching Guide:

• The Use of Fantasy and Science Fiction to Explain Generational Trauma
• Dominican American Identity in the Late-20th Century
• The Damage Caused by Personal and Political Masculinity

STUDY OBJECTIVES: In accomplishing the components of this Teaching Guide, students will: