A Year in Review? A Book in Review? A Brief and Wondrous Life in Review?

So, I finished the book on Christmas morning. At first I was confused as to who the narrator (and once I found out, who Yunior) really was, but by the end I was really engrossed in the family's story. But about Yunior, what does it mean that he calls himself "your Watcher" (329) when he is clearly implicit in the family's story, in Oscar's life, and makes references to sci-fi and LOTR that only a true nerd or someone close to a nerd would make? Does he have the right to call himself a Watcher?
I also remained intrigued by the mix of sci-fi and legend: "I know I've thrown a lot of fantasy and sci-fi in the mix but this is supposed to be a true account of the Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao." (285) Perhaps, in following with the review Bimbs posted, as the mythical genre of our time. A myth, in Wao's case, specifically influenced by centuries of Dominican history and culture, as well as the sci-fi, fantasy, pan-national mythology. I might be wrong about this as I don't know a ton about sci-fi. And does it matter if this book is a "true" account or not?
By the end, I really enjoyed the book and I am excitedly onto The Namesake. I hope you are having wonderful breaks.

Emily

Review of The Brief and Wondros Life of Oscar Wao

1: How to post on the blog:
You should be able to post by going to the top right corner and clicking "New Post". If you don't have this option there's something wrong.


2: I found this review and thought it was interesting. I like his point about how identities shift "as they cross borders." I also thought his point about how these books will be books of our generation is something to think about. How interesting that White Teeth was also mentioned as one of those books, even though it takes place is a totally different context.
What do these books have in common? What are they saying?

http://el-oso.net/blog/archives/2008/08/24/review-the-brief-wondrous-life-of-oscar-wao/en/

The N-Word

Emily, you really don't need to be afraid to post.
See? I'm posting first.

I'm a little ways in and I can't help but notice the way Oscar is always using the N word. I don't mind it but I always notice it.
What purpose do you think his use of the word serves?

Book Schedule

In case you've forgotten:

The Brief and Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao- Junot Diaz by December 27
The Namesake- Jhumpa Lahiri by January 3
White Teeth- Zadie Smith by January 17
The Loneranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven- Sherman Alexi by January 24