The Brief Wonderous ... a book review

I was given this book as a Christmas gift and read it off/on for the last few months. I was intrigued with the title, and a little sad too, because you know the main character is probably not going to 'make it.'
I finally finished reading it today.
It dragged toward the end, and I was actually hoping the character would die soon because it was enough already! LOL
The main character, Oscar, is a bit of a dork - he even says this about himself, not just me - and a HUGE nerd. King of nerds. Nerdiest of nerds. Oscar is overweight and the author attributes these two issues as reasons why he can't get laid. Which, to the writer, is the 'heaviest'of Oscar's problems.
Oscar is extremely depressed, but doesn't seek help, nor does his family try to abet his pain. I guess they think he'll 'snap out of it'. He snaps, but to take his life; he survives his attempt, but his family still doesn't do anything to remedy his situation.
Oscar has a close relationship with his older sister, Lola, though they hung out more before they go to college. Their friendship reminded me of my brother's and my relationship, but only in the closeness. Lola's character fades as the novel unravels.
Interlaced throughout the novel is background information on the history of the Dominican Republic; specifically when Trujillo is in charge of the country.

The author does an excellent job of telling the reader all the diabolical things that happened during Trujillo's reign. Trujillo was an atrocious and obnoxious man, same as all dictators, and at times I felt the information added to the story, and other times I just ignored the footnotes. Once I hear about tortures, I don't need to be told several times, or to whom he did them, how often, etc.
I think the author was piecing together his own past, and that's a noble mission, but it's important to keep in mind that the reader may not understand all the references, nor will the reader understand the references as you want them to...and that's where a good editor is needed.
The narrator talks about grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc., to give a broad picture of the setting. A heavy undertaking, and he navigates it well,even if there are "major explosions in his telling and confusion in finding where the bodies are..." (literary speak for confusion, craziness, and general mayhem)
There is lots of sex in this novel. Well, they use the term f---ing', and that's what sex appears to be to Dominicans. There are moments of tenderness, but the f-ing is the point.

I enjoyed the writer's references to comics, the Marvel universe, Watchmen, and other obscurities that I didn't recognize, but appreciated nonetheless.
The author handles matter of the Spiritual realm without any respect, which annoyed me, even though it is ascribed to creating a miracle.
Oscar is due a romantic soliloquy, and he's given his moment. The author's view of romance is evident in Oscar's words; although minimal assaugement for all the men in the book who cheat, beat, and treat the women in the book as if they were toilet paper.

January's collage

 

 

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for your many blessings, and please continue to let your grace fall upon us. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

I've decided to create collage's to commemorate each month this year.

Below is January's collage.

I'm using various types of cardboard - recycling shoe boxes or any kind of discarded cardboard I find in/around the house.

Most of the pictures and words are taken from "Give us this Day';"a Catholic religious magazine. Some of the words are from the ASCA counseling magazine; the 'material'I used were from things that said "January,"on them.

I worked on this one throughout the month, frequently inspired by words or pictures I wanted to add.

A few of the words are inspirational, and others are "Holy Spirit," led. By this I mean the HS wanted me to have a word of encouragement, or focus on a particular word, or meditate on the meaning of the word/picture, or incorporate the word into my spirit, etc.

For example,  the word "Shine," and "bright/brightly," showed up often, and in a cluster, but from different places.

I've always enjoyed the collage medium - mostly because I feel it is a good outlet for my type of personality, which is abstract random. (If you'd like to find out what your personality style is, go to Check your personal thinking.)

I haven't decided if I'm going to get the pieces framed. Mostly because I haven't decided where I want them to hang. One idea I had was hanging them up in my room, or in the garage. In the meantime, they will be in my office.

I'm already working on February's. In fact, words and phrases for February came at the end of January, lol. I feel like this means that February is ready to get going!

 

 

This collage is actually longer than this, but it wouldn't all fit in my camera phone's frame. Oh well, you get the vibe...I think. *wink*