I just finished a Pulitzer Prize book (2008, I think) by Junot Diaz titled The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao , and don't quite know what to make of it. Even more different than Robert Olen Butler's book about the spaceman, this one is. And a whole lot of critics were quite taken with it, fo sho.

Anybody read this book? If so, what did you think of it? What is he doing that is so good? What is he doing that is not so good?

I liked that book.  Perhaps partly because I could relate to the nerd element, but I also liked the construction...kind of told from the first person, but as an omnicient narrator not always present.  I always appreciate pure writing skill, as in the ability to manipulate language, and I think Junot Diaz displays this.  I'd have to reread it to be more detailed.  

i read this book a couple years ago...and though most in my book club LOVED it, i found it to be too gimicky and over-rated. I liked the nerdy, pop culture references...but felt like the book got a little big for its own britches at a certain point.   I think Jennifer Egan's "A visit from the Goon Squad" is a MUCH more deserving Pulitzer winner.

I liked about the first ten pages of this book, then hated the rest. It was tortuous reading.

                                                                                                                    Rose