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| Drown | 
 enlarge | Author: Junot Diaz
Publisher: Riverhead Trade
Category: Book
List Price: $14.00
Buy New: $7.67
You Save: $6.33 (45%)
New (47) Used (49) from $7.00
Avg. Customer Rating:  80 reviews
Sales Rank: 4006
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 224
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.4
Dimensions (in): 7.8 x 5.1 x 0.7
ISBN: 1573226068
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.54
EAN: 9781573226066
ASIN: 1573226068
Publication Date: July 1, 1997
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: Brand New and Factory Sealed Item Fast Shipping
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| Customer Reviews:
 It deserves not a 10, but an 11. June 11, 1998
10 out of 11 found this review helpful
When this book first came out I approached it with apprehension because it had been received with such fanfare by the literati and laymen alike. Indeed, so great was the hype that I honestly believed that regardless of the quality of the book, It would fail to live up to the praise bestowed upon it. Thus, you may imagine how pleasantly surprised I was when I realized that, in fact, Junot Diaz is an incredibly talented writer. I've read collections of short stories that showcase the skills of some of the most gifted writers of the 20th century, and, honestly, Diaz has written some stories that surpass anything I had read before. True, some of Diaz's stories are not as effective as the majority, yet that is because most of the stories in Drown are bona fide gems. I know I'm getting too effusive here, so I'll stop. Still, If you like to read good literature, this is a book that you definitely should consider. I look forward to reading Diaz's first novel.
 WOW! Absolutely TERRIBLE September 22, 2006
10 out of 29 found this review helpful
This critically acclaimed set of short stories from Junot Diaz is at best a childish diary that was put together by incompetent editors desperate to publish anything that sounds remotely different from the monumental garbage that they continously publish every year.
The writer's main preoccupation seems to be channeling his anger about his absentee, unfaithful father and the effects on his mother in the Dominican Republic. This would be fine if it didn't read like some troubled child's diary. The writer repeatedly throws in spanish slang and sayings which I felt were used just to prove to his readers that he's bilingual as they add absolutely nothing to the plot or story, not there's any in any of the stories anyway.
The stories end abruptly, they're worst than mediocre, and he doesn't use quotations to separate his terrible dialouge. The reviews for the book were excellent but that should be expected from unqualified writers such as Junot Diaz. Critics only praise books that deal with tormented souls who use their depravity to channel it into elementary and generic prose. One must be aware that the writer is an MFA in literature, which just proves how lackluster American Higher Education has become. A terrible read.
Stereotypes! Latinos in a Box! February 15, 2002
9 out of 18 found this review helpful
Its very easy to write a book where all the characters are stereotypes or have no positive qualities. To "Drown" the reader in a story that really is not credible nor really reflects the urban experience is completely irresponsible. Just like "Soul on Ice" or "Monster" this writer uses "sensationalism" and the erotic lure of the "Latino" culture, to get critics raving for his lack luster material. This book is highly offensive to anyone who is familiar with Latino literature or the Urban experience. The writer should have been more responsible for the book's content and its characters, who are only imaginary reflections of the Dominican/Puerto Rican/Latino experience in America. Its one thing to observe life in the Barrio, it's another to actually write about it with respect and honesty. The writing is terrible and the characters come out of a comic book. I give this book a thumbs down for its writing, depiction of characters, and flow!
 good, but not great March 26, 2000
8 out of 9 found this review helpful
I've heard such good things about this book and was disappointed once I got around to reading it. It was good, but not great. I get the sense that this is one of those over-hyped, over-rated books that come down the pipe every year by the latest "new, young writer." I'll look forward to reading what Diaz writes in the years ahead. For my taste, he hasn't hit the mark yet -- but maybe in the future he will. Worth a look, but no big deal.
Modern, Authentic, and Edgy-- New Caribbean Voice August 12, 2002
8 out of 8 found this review helpful
Before I purchased the book I read an on-line interview of Diaz by Edwidge Danticat. In this interview Diaz said that he didn't like it too much when readers thought that the book was autobiographical in nature. In the sense that it meant he wasn't creative enough to write pure fiction. I have to admit that half way through the book I thought that it must be part autobiography because the stories were so personal and the emotions bare and exposed. My favorite is "Aurora". Readers who expected romanticized Latina writing might be disappointed, but that is really just too bad. Diaz' style is authentic, modern, and edgy. On a personal level, it gave me a glimpse of daily life on the other side of my island. I absolutely loved this book and I recommend it whole-heartedly.
Enjoy!
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