I heard about Oscar Wao in a writing group at Grub Street in Boston. My instructor, Lara, mentioned how amazing the book was but I didn't think I wanted to read a biography or autobiography - because at the time I didn't know if it was either - of Oscar Wilde, which is what I thought she said. Katherine, another student in the group, told us her book group had read Oscar and unilaterally hated it. Lara was aghast having thougth it one of the best books she'd ever read. Katherine, on the other hand, explained that whole sections of the novel were told in footnote - what? - and Spanish. That clenched it for me; I knew I'd never read it.
Until, I saw it in a bookstore. Then I realized it wasn't Oscar Wilder but Oscar Wao and I wondered who the heck that was, so I picked it up and read the back. I have to say the write-up and the cover intrigued me so I signed up for it at the library and forgot about it.
When it finally came through (about 2 months later), I was surprised it had won the Pulitzer Prize. Now I was convinced I would hate it but I dove in and, I have to say, I loved it! The brief wonderous life of Oscar Wao is one of those novels that read like the author speaks, which - yes - is interspersed with Spanish and heavily footnooted, but the footnotes are intriguing and his way of getting "behind the scenes".
I tore through the book in a week and loved every minute of it. Some of the story is told from other people's points of view but each shows a different side of Oscar and the trials he faces as he grows older and continues to be hampered by his weight and appearance. It reminds me a little of She's Come Undone by Wally Lamb but edgier and less Oprah-ish.
Because of its Pulitzer and, mostly, because of the writing I'd say this is a novel to buy and share with friends. Let me know what you think!
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