This messy, self-absorbed work of genius is composed of intertwining stories about a supposedly-cursed family from the Dominican Republic and living in New Jersey. The primary character, Oscar Wao, is a young social outcast, interested in role-playing games, writing fantasy novels, and finding love, in equal measures. At times, it is difficult to keep up with the shifting points of view, narrative voice, magical occurrences, and chronology. Also, I was repeatedly frustrated by the dense footnotes and the numerous, untranslated Spanish and Spanglish phrases. A wild ride worth taking but only if you have the patience.