The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Díaz

Whether it was because of Díaz's incessant use of Spanish words or my desire to go on another Salinger binge (these may be related), I was ready to be done with this book. It won the Pulitzer last year, and if somebody told me, This book was incredible, I would believe them. I, on the other hand, never really got into it.

I started the book last semester, but got caught up in schoolwork and never finished it... until now. It follows the life of an obese ghetto nerd who aspires to be the Dominican J.R.R. Tolkien. He writes all day and although he repulses almost any every girl, he is obsessed with finding love and a good lay. The book switches time periods a lot, trying to explain the curse of fuku on Oscar's family. It flashes back to the 80's and before, following the path of Oscar's mother, grandmother, and sister, and how they have all been haunted by a family curse. Díaz puts in a lot of history of the DR, almost to apprise ignorant Americans of the ruthless tyrant, Trujillo, who ruled the country for almost 2 decades.

I've read a couple short stories by Díaz, all good, but they've all had two main pieces: coarseness and Dominican-ness (if you read just one of his stories, you would know what I mean). This book follows in the same line. It seems very nationalistic, almost to the point where Díaz doesn't know how to tell a story that doesn't involve a Dominican character and Dominican culture. I may be totally missing the point, but Díaz comes across as overly proud of his heritage and things that belong to it.

As for the writing -- the dude can write. He doesn't follow conventional writing styles. His style in the book is actually kind of akin to The Road in the sense that it felt like a very literary gangster was telling the story to other gangsters. There was very little dialogue, which was never in quotations, and the story had a good roll to it. Sometimes, rarely, I would realize I had just read 20 pages without even realizing it. So the voice was good. Many kudos on that.

Bluntly, though, I felt like I was reading a history book (granted, one that took many liberties) rather than a work of literary fiction. It was a story, but just fact after fact. Character A did this, it resulted in this, and now he must do this. In addition, the footnotes were superfluous and I absolutely hated when Díaz would start an intriguing sentence in English and end it in Spanish.

Junot Díaz obviously has talent and I can see how this book, his first book, got favorable critical reception. I was mostly at odds with it though. I think I'll stick to his short stories, where, in my opinion, he thrives.

Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis

Continuing my trek through the Chronicles of Narnia, I read Prince Caspian next, which chronologically is the 4th book in the series but the second one Lewis wrote. There are actually two orders in which the series is published and this issue still riles hardcore fans. Lewis wrote The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe first and then Prince Caspian but then went back and wrote a prequel to The Lion and also a book that tells what happened between The Lion and Caspian. Nowadays, Lewis' stepson insists that the series be printed with the books being numbered as they happen chronologically (so The Lion appears as number 2 and Caspian is number 4). However, reading them in this order is out of line because of the references they make. And anyone considering reading them should do so in the original order.

I was glad to see that they were making the movies in that order. It will be both a better depiction and will bring more money at the box office because people love prequels. I actually have not seen Prince Caspian but the book was pretty good. The first 170 odd pages, just like the first book, were essentially used to set up the final battle, which was ultimately an anti-climatic one-on-one showdown. The allegory was not as rich or as blatant as in the The Lion but could be seen with knowledge of the gospels. In fact, there are probably many different interpretations of what the characters symbolize and which story or doctrine the plot parallels.

To be honest, the plot was a bit bland, and I was very surprised the story ended with its boring final fight. Basically, it has been a few centuries since the children first fell into Narnia, defeated the White Witch and were crowned Kings and Queens. In that time, Old Narnia has been all but lost. Talking animals only live on in legend... or so they think. The country is now ruled by Telmarines which are human and the new King has killed much of Narnia's old inhabitants. He is childless, however, and thinks he will give his throne to his nephew, Prince Caspian, until he finds out his wife is bearing a child, and now he plans to kill Caspian.

Caspian flees the kingdom and stumbles upon talking creatures of Old Narnia who help him call the children. The children suddenly find themselves not in England anymore but now in Narnia. Aslan makes a return, blah blah blah. There's a final fight. End of story.

Ok, it's much better than that but the chapters never really grabbed me. In a way it was nice that the metaphors weren't so simple but I also felt unsure of my guesses. The plot followed the same line as the last book, only drifting away ever now and then. I still love Lewis' work and his children's books are nice relaxers but this one fell short. I'm looking forward to continuing the series but expect the plot to twist itself much more.

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

We read this in high school. I didn't pay attention in high school. I did have a few memories from the book but with it being the runner-up on the Modern Library's list of best English (language) novels of the 20th century, I, without question, had to (re)read it.

But what is there to say about The Great Gatsby that hasn't already been said? The book is really good. It's easy to see why it's the second best novel of the 20th century (and actually considered #1 on Radcliffe's list). The setting is perfect if you're into the glitz of the 1920s. The characters are fascinating in that they are rich, went to elite Ivy League schools (I'm a sucker for both real and made-up people who went to these universities) and only give a crap for life's finer things. And then the plot is real sweet.

The one truly likable character is Nick Carraway, who lives in a humble abode nested between two mansions, one being Gatsby's. It is his looking into the lives of the rich and the superficial that, in my opinion, makes this story what it is. He makes friends with Gatsby, who turns out to not all that he seems, and learns of the history between Gatsby and his cousing, Daisy, who is married to unfaithful Tom Buchanan. Nick also becomes involved with Jordan Baker and this relationship is a lot like Jake and Lady Ashley's in Hemingway's The Sun Also Rises. Sounds like a perfect soap opera. But it is Fitzgerald that makes these relationships intriguing. At the end of the novel, it kind of turns into a murder mystery.

I think this is the archetypal book to give to aspring creative writers because it contains every element of a great novel. Unlike Ulysses which elicits both great and bad opinions on its genius (which Joyce probably knew as he wrote it), The Great Gatsby's genius can only be attacked with little jabs, but nothing too serious. This is truly a great American novel with many perfectly crafted sentences.

But you guys have all read this book. You know it's good stuff. Probably right outside my top 5 if not barely sliding in under the line.

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

I read this book in elementary school to much delight. Who doesn't like going to another world filled with fauns, centaurs, and talking beavers? I decided to reread this classic (a top 100 novel on Time's 100 list) in order to get a better understanding of its rich allegory to Christianity. And as simple as the metaphors are in the novel, they are still very beautiful and its nice to recognize the parallels between this story and the gospels.

After reading Lewis' other confounding apologetics, I felt relieved to take this breather. The story is about 4 English children who stumble upon a wardrobe that transports them to Narnia which is ruled by the White Witch. All characters of imagination live in this world and are astonished to see sons of Adam and daughters of Eve in their presence because the children are heirs to the throne in Narnia.

As the story progresses it is easy to see how each character and plot line falls into the story of Jesus. However, I also read that when Tolkien, a good friend of Lewis and also a Believer, read the manuscript he disapproved of the direct allegory Lewis was employing. He felt that the ideological messages constrained the fiction itself. And the story does have a preachiness feel to them. In fact, it could easily be seen as children propaganda.

I really liked the story though. Whether I would say this if I was an atheist and just viewed the fiction itself, I'm unsure. I plan to interject the rest of the Chronicles of Narnia in between heavier reads until I finish them. If you're looking for a light read with a fascinating children's story, this is a good one to pick up.

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

Never a reader -- or a watcher -- of the Lord of the Rings Trilogy, I decided to start with the lead-in to the series, The Hobbit. What an adventure! Tolkien's imagination matched with his pen might be unparalleled. He had awesome characters from hobbits (of course) to dwarfs to trolls to a dragon! Written for kids, this book follows an unlikely hobbit who spends most of his time in the comforts of his home playing host to guest. He has never been far beyond his front yard until one day a wizard named Gandolf shows up at his door stoop to tell him of the adventure he is about to embark on with 13 dwarves.

Along the way, they meet a host of characters -- some who help them and some who set them back. The book is littered with these episodes that are strung together to make an incredible journey that culminates at a dragon's lair.

Tolkien's greatest strength is his ability to make you feel like he is in the room telling the story. He made me feel 12 again, enjoying a cast of fairy tale creatures fight seemingly dangerous (of course we all know they will find a way out) ones. But this is also where the book had its setbacks. The story was pretty straightforward and juvenile. Most readers will be able to predict what happens in each episode and see it coming a long way out. Nevertheless, Tolkien still makes the story very worthwhile.

The LOTR trilogy is supposed to be much more complicated and genius as it delves into complex maps and the elvish language. The Hobbit served a good introduction and I think that my few complaints with it are more than compensated for in the follow-up.

Surprised by Joy by C.S. Lewis

First and foremost, C.S. Lewis is among my favorite writers and after this read, his status remains untouched. However, Surprised by Joy surprised me with disappointment.

I've read about 4 books by Lewis, mostly Christian apologetics. In this area, his genius is unmatched, save G.K. Chesterton. He has a deep understanding of Christianity and his theology has become very popular even with Christians who don't think much. When I read his books, I am astounded by the beauty in how he phrases things I've thought all along, but have never been able to articulate.

This memoir of a work, though, had its shortcomings. Going into it, I thought he would talk a little about his childhood and a lot about his falling away from his Christian upbringing and then regrasping his faith. It was almost exactly the other way around. The anecdotes from growing up in school and dreaming of Narnia were, unsurprisedly, beautifully written, but, let's face it, beautiful writing doesn't inherently breed interesting stuff. With about 40 pages to go, he finally touched on his relapse into atheism and how joy overtook him (his description of joy was amazing!) and brought him back to Christianity.

But that was not good enough. I think he should have spent more time on this critical part in his life and less on the part that we all experience. On the other hand, Lewis was by all accounts a modest man who didn't feel at home when attention surrounded him. Thus, writing a book on himself would not have been the easiest.

The Longest Road Home by John Grogan

In the past couple years, my eyes have rarely seen any contemporary literature, especially non-fiction. Most of my nights have been spent thumbing through the classics -- the Infernos, the Huckleberry Finns, the Lolitas -- for two reasons: primarily because they're awesome reads (they don't make 'em like this anymore) but also because they're predecessors to what's hitting bookshelves these days, and for that, they should be read first.

Two summers ago, on the beach, I stumbled upon a true beach book called Marley and Me by John Grogan about a writer and his rambunctious Labrador, but more about growing up with your family. Sounds run of the mill and cheesy, but Grogan really knows how to put sentences together well. Consequently, I couldn't wait for his second book come out.

The Longest Trip Home is Grogan's memoir about growing up under the rule of pious Catholic parents and ultimately failing to live up to their expectations. The book is divided into three sections, with the first about early childhood. John and his friends get into typical boy mischief -- pulling pranks, looking at nudey magazines, stealing and smoking cigarettes, and later, pot. He goes to church with his parents, but like most kids, does not enjoy it or even understand why saying 10 hail marys will keep you from hell. There are some good laughs and nostalgia in this feel-good section. By the way, he is way better at story telling than David Sedaris will ever be.

In the second part, John goes to college and starts to grow more into himself which is away from his parents. He loses any interest he had in the church but instead of admitting this to his parents, his thin veils makes it seem like he hasn't missed a beat since moving out. They continue to think he goes to church every Sunday and that he lives a devout Christian life. Some time after college, though, he finds his future wife, and after some more time they decide to live together. The 'rents are devastated. After attempts to talk him out of the decision, they excommunicate him (a 30-year-old man now) and believe they've lost all hope. As hurt as they are, they continue to try to support him and this struggle is the heart of the book. They love him as their son but seeing him raise a secular family goes against everything they believe in.

At old ages, John's parents are both carrying diseases. His mother ailing from Alzheimer's and his father learns he has cancer. I won't give away the end, but it is in this time that John comes full cirlce and finally feels comfortable and at peace with his truly loving parents.

If you want a light read that is very well-written, this book delivers. Grogan has remarkable grace with his large vocabulary, but he's not one of those writers that is superfluous with big words or overly ornate. He's a columnist by profession so he doesn't waste space and transitions really well. I really like how he constructs sentences and I'd like to see his hand attempt a fiction piece.

Zach's Pieces

2010

Henceforth: http://www.shelfari.com/zholland/shelf

6. The Moviegoer by Walker Percy
5. A Grief Observed by C.S. Lewis
4. The Crossing by Cormac McCarthy
3. White Noise by Don DeLillo
2. Jesus' Son by Denis Johnson
1. The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint Exupery

2009
48. Superfreakonomics by Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner
47. A Million Miles in a Thousand Years by Don Miller
46. Rabbit Run by John Updike
45. The Wild Things by Dave Eggers
44. The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis
43. Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris
42. When You are Engulfed in Flames by David Sedaris
41. The Discomfort Zone by Jonathan Franzen
40. Independence Day by Richard Ford
39. Goodbye, Columbus by Philip Roth
38. All the Pretty Horses by Cormac McCarthy
37. No Country for Old Men by Cormac McCarthy
36. The Plot Against America by Philip Roth
35. The Mysteries of Pittsburgh by Michael Chabon
34. The Corrections by Jonathan Franzen
33. The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins
32. Where I'm Calling From by Raymond Carver
31. A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius by Dave Eggers
30. Disgrace by J.M. Coetzee
29. In Cold Blood by Truman Capote
28. Marry Me by John Updike
27. Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides
26. A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man by James Joyce
25. The Sportswriter by Richard Ford
24. The Breast by Philip Roth
23. The Two Towers by J.R.R. Tolkien
22. A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway
21. Going After Cacciato by Tim O'Brien
20. All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque
19. Catch-22 by Joseph Heller
18. American Pastoral by Philip Roth
17. The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien
16. In the Garden of The North American Martyrs by Tobias Wolff
15. Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott
14. To Hate Like This is To Be Happy Forever by Will Blythe
13. Nine Stories by J.D. Salinger
12. Franny and Zooey by J.D. Salinger
11. Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut
10. Moby-Dick by Herman Melville
9. The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien
8. Raise High the Roofbeam, Carpenters; and, Seymour an Introduction by J.D. Salinger
7. The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz
6. Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis
5. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
4. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
3. The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
2. Surprised by Joy by C.S. Lewis
1. The Longest Trip Home by John Grogan

Jon's Pieces

10. The Road by Cormac McCarthy
9. Light in August by William Faulkner
8. Where I'm Calling From by Raymond Carver
7. Short Cuts by Raymond Carver
6. The Music School by John Updike
5. The Short Stories by Ernest Hemingway
4. Cathedral by Raymond Carver
3. Everything Ravaged, Everything Burned by Wells Tower
2. Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe
1. Moby-Dick by Herman Melville

Hunter's Pieces

7. Bright Lights, Big City by Jay McInerney
6. The King of Madison Avenue by Kenneth Roman
5. Hiroshima by John Hersey
4. Stay Close by Libby Cataldi
3. The Informers by Bret Easton Ellis
2. To Hate Like This Is To Be Happy Forever by Will Blythe
1. Sacred Hunger by Barry Unsworth

Sam's Pieces

4. South of the Border, West of the Sun by Haruki Murakami
3. Freakonomics by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner
2. The Road by Cormac McCarthy
1. Seven Years in Tibet by Heinrich Harrer