Expectations

[Lifeonholidae]

maybe its been said before but readers come with a set of ideas to stories. in this case the buzz surrounding this book wound its way into many different ears. for those seeking a story that is rife with comic book and LOTR references they were intrigued. For those seeking a story that touches on the dominican repoublic they were interested. this novel has so many things it discusses that i can't even begin to give a proper list of what it has to offer a reader.

HOWEVER, novels (and more importantly this one) do not present to the reader a simple little association that IF said contextual expectations were met THEN this novel meet general expectations. furthermore novels (and their writers) can undermine, confuse, lie, cheat and completely manipulate a reader to their liking. it is in this ability to so frustrate and manipulate the reader and the readers function that give books like this its value. Think about it, an inanimate object, created in the mind of another, transmitted through symbols and given meaning through language MADE you pissed, or confused, or shocked.

The power of A novel, moreover, one that brings such various sorts of readers with such various sorts of interests, is something to be valued and reckoned with. i read diaz's drown when i was 15, i read when it first came out in september of '07. i came to it expecting to read a novel about a domnican kid. something i myself am. my expectations were shattered, undermined and turned on their heads.

so what were your expectations? how were they met or not met in this book? did it make you like the book any less? did it make you like the book any more?