During the luncheon with Junot Díaz and his reading later that evening, I took copious notes. A couple friends laughed at this, actually. Nevertheless, I recorded some interesting quotes from the discussion.
Regarding male authors writing from the female point of view of a woman, he said that men struggle with “breaking out of the point of view of seeing women as ghosts.” Boys have to work incredibly hard to get that “privilege” out of their heads. I’ve noticed that some male authors create unrealistic women in their work, but I never viewed it as a sense of “privilege.” Of course, it’s probably unconscious; men don’t generally twist their morals and perspectives to see women differently, but it is an issue. Díaz said that he thinks women don’t necessarily have an easier time writing from the male point of view, but they usually do it better.
Just like in Oscar and Lola’s fictional lives, cancer played a part in Díaz’s life as well. When he was eleven years old, his thirteen-year old brother struggled with a serious form of cancer. Díaz said that cancer changes a person’s family and his or her childhood, and it was easy to see that although he may downplay it in discussion, watching his brother fight cancer had a serious effect on him. Of course, it would have an effect on anybody.
Lastly, Díaz kept calling us all “young people.” He said he was impressed with us and our questions, and he emphasized his strong belief that “youth is an incredible time.” So many people say this, but he said it a different way than I’ve heard before: “being young is really bad preparation for getting old.” Maybe this is a pessimistic outlook on life, but I believe him.
We anticipate wrinkles and osteoporosis, but we have no idea what that really feels like. With age and experience, we see everything differently and are shocked at the realization that the world is just like everyone said it was, but now we’re those people: those “old” people we naively thought we’d never become.
That may seem depressing and numbing, but there’s so much good to come of age like having the knowledge and experience to write like Díaz. It took him years to write The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao, but it was worth it because it affects people, “young” people included. Isn’t that why we write? Díaz urged us not to write for money or awards or any of that, and I agree. Sure, money is darn helpful, but real writing makes the reader think and affects change even at the most minute level.
Running a marathon wouldn’t be the smartest idea when I’m eighty-years old, but eighty freakin’ years result in a lot of experience for writing or whatnot; moreover, that is something to look forward to. Also, this thought makes the transition out of youth less terrifying. I’ll definitely enjoy being young, although I won’t think I did it correctly when I’m old, but we can’t dread every day to come because we get closer to the back pain and the No,-I-don’t-need-to-see-your-driver’s-license age. Life at any year is an advantage, so let’s look forward to it. Heck, I’m so excited for when I save money at the movies with a senior-ticket or play pranks and blame teenagers for it. How awesome!
You really pick up on some important threads here - weave some of this into your book review.
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