Theme Canon Canon itibaren Yongalık Köyü, 81850 Yongalık Köyü/Gümüşova/Düzce, Türkiye
What a satisfying book. I loved the fact that it didn't try to hold the reader's hand by explaining what all of the Spanish phrases meant. That would have dumbed down the book for me. Really, that's what gives it its edge (that and the brutal violence). Diaz treats the reader with respect by not accomodating him, but also throwing him a bone with the footnotes. The story itself was great. Diaz jumped from voice to voice as narrator effortlessly. The way he portrays the backdrops of the DR and NJ really provided some great mental visuals. The Trujillo-era descriptions of the DR were so mob-like and sinister. It was almost like a Carribean godfather scenario. All of the different settings and stories in the book could have easily been fleshed out into separate books. Now that's talent! I have to say, I wish the story focused on Beli more. Lola and Oscar were very interesting, but Beli's story was epic. BWLOOW was an original and enjoyable read all around. Fear the fuku.
I thought this was already on my to-read list. Short list. Soon. Need to read Mitchell.