Drown (short story collection)

Drown is a collection of short stories by Dominican-American author Junot Díaz, published in 1996. The stories predominantly focus on the experiences of Dominican immigrants navigating life in urban New Jersey. Recurring themes include poverty, fractured family dynamics, masculinity, sexuality, and the challenges of cultural assimilation. The collection is narrated primarily from the perspective of Yunior, a character who often reappears in Díaz's later works.

Drown is notable for its raw and unflinching portrayal of working-class Dominican life, often depicting the hardships, frustrations, and moments of tenderness experienced by its characters. Díaz's writing style is characterized by its blend of English and Spanish (code-switching), its use of colloquial language, and its unflinching honesty. The collection was critically acclaimed for its authenticity, its powerful storytelling, and its contribution to contemporary American literature.