Apocalypse: What Disasters Reveal by Junot Díaz

Apocalypse: What Disasters Reveal Reviews

• 
  Camilo Colorado

  I stumbled across this article while looking for more Junot Diaz stories. Very thought-provoking read. I agree with most of what Mr. Diaz opined. Even if you don't agree with most of it, or any of it, it is always good to read the other point-of-view. Read it!
• 
  chana

  "Because we must change, we also must refuse the temptation to look away when confronted with
  disasters. We must refuse the old stories that tell us to interpret social disasters as natural
  disasters. We must refuse the familiar scripts of victims and rescuers that focus our energies
  solely on charity instead of systemic change..."
  
  it's an astute observation to point out that apocalypses reveal problems and truths. apocalypses give rise to chaos, death, and other horrible things that people often want to look away from. but if we look away and ignore these problems, then how do we learn from them? apocalypses happen for a reason, and diaz argues that one of these reasons is for us to make a change. of course it is crucial to help those in need, but diaz argues that we need to look at the big picture—to make systemic change. (but i also disagree when he says "we must refuse the familiar scripts of victims and rescuers that focus our energies on charity" because that really waters down the trauma and pain those people have dealt with. but i think the general idea is sound.) diaz's point also reminds me of octavia butler's "parable of the sower," where in the face of disaster and chaos, there are those who seek change and new beginnings, and those who value tradition and turn their backs on the real problems.
  
  i've also read diaz's "monstro" in conjunction with this essay, and i have to say his ideas in "apocalypse" really bleed over to that short story. i would rate both this essay and that short story 3 stars. his ideas are great, but i'm not a fan of his writing style nor who he is as a person in real life. i particularly didn't like the way he portrayed mysty in "monstro," and after doing some research, i found that he has many allegations against him from several women. he's resigned as chair of the politzer prize board, saying that he'll "take responsibility" for what he's done in the past. i don't think i can look past what he's done, considering that it bled considerably into his work (to the point that i had suspicions that were confirmed). so, for that reason, three stars. could've easily been two, but this essay made me think a lot, and i enjoyed it for the most part.
  
  but having said all that, "apocalypse" is an interesting essay that sheds light on looking at apocalypses (real and fictional) from a new perspective.
• 
  Mari Gray

  Brief
  
  Diaz is a wonderful writer. This book is really just an article. Brief. Clear and compelling but brief and repetitive. I was left a bit wiser. I understand what to look for during a disaster but have little hope. He did that on purpose.