Feldman's Faves: September 16, 2024

GOOD MORNING EVERYONE

Last week’s Presidential Debate was memorable. Let’s leave it at that.  That being said, if you are a dog or cat lover it might be prudent to avoid visiting Springfield, Ohio. Just saying…

Our good friend Brian will be celebrating his birthday tomorrow. So please be nice to him (at least for next two days).

Last but not least, please join me in welcoming Jeffreen and Noa to our section.  They were both excellent students who are now ready to become outstanding associates. Please make every effort to involve them in your files and to integrate them into the firm.

No theme this week – just topics of interest.

THE BRIEF WONDROUS LIFE OF OSCAR WAO By: Junot Diaz – Every once in a while  a writer emerges on the scene and offers something new, fresh and fun. The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao was Junot Diaz’s debut novel and hit the literary world like a Mack truck. His ability to tell the story of a Dominican family both in the Dominican Republic and in struggling to survive in America was quite original at the time of writing (in the early 2000’s) and continues to set the standard.  There is a store on 14th Street in New York City called “Funny, Cry, Happy” and I think that store title describes the feeling you get when you read this outstanding novel. As one reviewer notes, “ There are some books, hopefully more than a few, that just grab you. It may be the characters, it may be the setting, it may be the voice. Who knows, it may be a terrific combination of all three. No matter the reason, it is almost impossible to put the book down after it’s been started, and after you’re done, the only logical reaction seems to be to pick it up again. And that’s what The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao, written by the insanely talented Junot Díaz, was for me. The Brief Wondrous Life centers on Oscar Wao, a “sweet but disastrously overweight ghetto nerd” living in New Jersey, writing stories and looking for love. Oscar’s story spans from when he was seven to after he’s graduated college, weaving in accounts of school, his friends, and the many girls he falls for. But it’s also much, much more, encompassing the stories of his sister, his mother, his mother’s family, and even some of the history of the Dominican Republic itself. It’s expansive and full of stories, and it’s also fantastic.  One of the most striking things about the book is its narration. Díaz writes in the first person, but not from the point of view of Oscar or a member of his family, but instead from an unknown “Watcher,” who the reader is finally introduced to about halfway through the book. Díaz’s narrator is blunt and sharp-tongued, a complex character in his own right who describes Oscar’s life in a quick and witty manner, but also adds in his own views and interpretations. It’s one of the most distinctive voices I’ve ever read, the kind that you hear in your head long after the book is closed, and it makes it all the harder to put the book down. Another thing that makes The Brief Wondrous Life so incredibly engrossing is the characters. Oscar himself is original and complex, a boy who falls in love with all things nerdy and almost every girl he meets. His sister, Lola, is brash and caring, and, fantastically, we get to see her grow up as well. Their mother is a story unto herself, and a large part of the book is spent exploring that story, learning more about the woman who grew up in Santo Domingo during the age of a violent dictatorship led by the general Rafael Trujillo. These characters are by no means perfect; in fact, they’re far from it. Oscar, while helplessly in love with many girls throughout the book, doesn’t understand boundaries as well as he should. His mother is an incredibly complex character, who can be kind, but also cruel and filled with anger. The narrator himself is often vulgar and makes his own mistakes, many times over. But Díaz doesn’t hide these flaws, nor does he minimize them — he presents his characters in the most human way possible, and it’s a large part of why this book is the type of book you want to shove into the hands of everyone you meet. It’s the kind of writing that makes it almost impossible to pick apart, simply because it’s so good. The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao is one of the best books I’ve read all year. Junot Díaz paints the setting, the characters, and their stories with such talent that they become completely engrossing, and it’s almost impossible to stop reading about them. It’s the kind of book that I want to read again and again and again, simply because I can’t imagine getting tired of it. It’s one of the best kinds.”   Diaz describes a world and characters that are both very unfamiliar to me but with a level of humanity that is very relatable. This book is one of the best I have read and evokes a wide range of emotions. You should all read it. Here’s a good review from the NYT -  https://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/30/books/review/Scott-t.html

The Axe Files with David Axelrod — DeMar DeRozan – DeMar DeRozan will go down in history as one of the Raptors’ all-time greats. His mid-range game is probably one of the best the NBA has ever seen.  I felt awful when we traded him but as we all know his trade for Kawhi Leonard resulted in the Rap’s magical 2019 season.  So it had to be done. But as much as a I admire DeMar as a player I admire him even more as a human being and as someone who’s bravery in addressing his struggles with mental health and beyond (in his new book entitled, Above the Noise: My Story of Chasing Calm )are admirable because of his willingness to show the world his humanity and to be a leader off the court as well.  Thanks to Steve for sharing this very interesting story, which I hope you will all take some time to hear. Here’s an excerpt from the PODCAST itself, “DeMar DeRozan is a six-time NBA All Star and an Olympic gold medalist. But perhaps the defining legacy of his career will be his decision to speak out about his struggles with depression and mental health. He joined David to talk about growing up in Compton, California, surrounded by both gang violence and a strong, loving family; basketball as an escape; his drive to excel; the importance of speaking out about mental health; and his new book, “Above the Noise: My Story of Chasing Calm.”  https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/ep-593-demar-derozan/id1043593599?i=1000669255788

 Thank you for your ongoing engagement and participation.

And remember to stay safe, stay healthy and to docket daily.

Jon