His first book of fiction titled Drown received unanimous praise from critics when it was published in 1996. He confronts issues of racism and ethnic identity, sexuality, and family turmoil, while taking issue with the empty promises of the American dream. Junot Diaz writes with a jeweler's eye for detail and an unsparing, honest voice. His stories take us back and forth between the streets of Santa Domingo and the neighborhoods of New Jersey where he and his family settled. Much of his fiction draws on this experience, as he writes about the clash and confluence of cultures, and that sense of dislocation, which is so much a part of the immigrant experience. Junot Diaz was born in the Dominican Republic and moved to the United States at the age of seven. And we're very fortunate to have him here with us this week for a short residency at MIT. As Maureen said, the 1998 Eugene McDermott award was presented to Junot Diaz last November.
On behalf of the Council for the arts at MIT, I'd like to welcome all of you here this evening.
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