What is the What
by Dave Eggers
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Book Reviews of What is the What
Book Review: What is the What
Summary: 2 Stars
I wanted to like this book. I wanted to feel moved by it. But, you can't always get what you want. I suppose Eggers is the one to blame. The book seemed remarkably disjoint. Historic interludes mixed in with flashback narratives from Sudan and Kenya and Ethiopia, and tales of current life in Atlanta.
I think the work would have been more poignant if Valentino had told his entire story to Michael. Then, you'd have someone recalling their life as a child living in hell to another child living in a different hell. And I think everything that occurred after leaving Kenya (with the exception, of course, of meeting Michael) could have been omitted. The meat of the story took place in Africa, and the sections regarding life in Atlanta were so random, disorganized, and disconnected from the rest of the book that they really served no purpose.
I think this book was trying to accomplish great things. I feel like it was trying to shock people into concern over the situations in Sudan, Ethiopia, and Kenya; however, I think it is way too long for the average reader (over 500 pages), and is poorly presented (thus making it seem like 800 pages). Would I recommend this book? No. Would I recommend studying recent events and world history? Yes. Just don't think you're going to understand anything about African history or the current events in Darfur from reading this book.
Book Review: A book you will remember for years to come
Summary: 5 Stars
I began this book with some trepedation. My worst fear was that it would be another meandering, literary meditation filled with observations but not a lot of story.
Instead I got to read about the life of Valentino Achak Deng, a refugee and immigrant from Sudan, a man whose wrenching life has shaped his education, work and location--but not his soul. Achak is the kind of man we would like our daughters to marry, to live next door to, to hire or to work for ourselves. Achak is intelligent, resourceful, courageous, loving and yes, lucky--if luck means at least surviving some of the worst the earth has to offer.
In short, Achak is the ideal American immigrant, nothing stops him. I understood his problems in the United States. This is a hard place to get started--all countries are. Any first generation immigrant will tell you that, particularly great-grandparents who will regale you with stories of sweeping factory floors in New England, or those who ran sewing machines in New York City.
At the end of this book I counted my blessings. If you have been born in the U.S. its hard to fathom the life of a young man whose primary years were spent running from war and living in dire poverty. But we are especially lucky here to have the likes of Valentino Achak Deng wanting become Americans.
Book Review: Answers the Question and Demands More Questions
Summary: 5 Stars
Deng's and Egger's collaboration in writing this epic story is brillant. Fictionalzing Deng's biography enables the reader to hear one man's story that belongs to thousands of children who survived a modern-day holocaust - and that of thousands more who did not. People outside of Sudan may be touched by news accounts of the government's destruction of Dinkaland. This book goes further: it may well be our first upclose look at how the competition for natural resources and legacy of European colonialism have contributed to the on-going attempt to destroy a culture. But, the Dinkas are resilient and continue to re-build at home and in the diaspora. Eggers captures Deng's voice in cadence and syntax, invoking the reader's shared laughter and tears as Deng encounters and overcomes horrific events. The book begins with a home invasion - in Atlanta, USA. Still naive after facing the murderous invasion of his town in Sudan, Deng opens his door to a stranger in need and becomes yet again a victim. He starts telling his life-story to the robbers. They can't hear him, of course, because he's been blooded, bound and gagged. He cannot be silenced. He continues relating his story to other characters, and through them to the reader. This book brings colored and nuanced reality to what is happening in an important region in the world. That's the What.Book Review: The real story of the Lost boys
Summary: 5 Stars
I loved this book. It would probably be in the top 25 Books I have ever read. Dave Eggers has done a remarkable job of trying to capture the utter despondency and the hopelessness of Achak's struggle. I'm sure Eggers has put in some filler emotions and thoughts but its hard to miss the real underlying thought process of a innocent,helpless but broken boy.
The tale has been written well and I do believe that the violence may been toned down some: I can imagine what went on there; I dont want to be voyeur of death and destruction. ( I do imagine there are some reviewers who would love to see the gore come out)- does that really purge the pain and sorrow?
I liked the way eggers wove his tale in and out of America and Kakuma, Sudan and Kenya. This is a man who is a true storyteller.
The books also did reinforce my faith in mankind ( when almost everything as gone to the dogs), when I see stray boys being accepted in starving families, Orphans accepting other orphans as brothers and sisters.
that is just beautiful.
Its also reinforces my faith in US and the western world: who else opted to take these motherless children?
PS: The only complaint I had was Achak's image( I guess thats him) rubs off! and was all over my clean white shirt- the book cost me 7 bucks extra to launder!No complains though.
Book Review: An excellent depiction of the challenges of the "lost boys" of Sudan
Summary: 4 Stars
No doubt, this author captured the true hardships facing the "lost boys" of Sudan. The challenges facing the young men appeared insurmountable. For those of us living in industrialized countries, it is difficult to imagine or understand the daily lives of these brave young people. Although the story deals with some difficult subject matter, the author successfully incorporates humor and gentleness into the narrative and dialogue.
In addition to the details surrounding the lives of these Sudanese boys, I would have liked to have read more on the process for obtaining refugee status in the U.S. Legal immigrant entry into the U.S. is generally a long, complex and arduous process, one filled with paperwork, evidence, frustrations, fear, anxiety, separation and promise. I realize it was not the author's intent to explore this side of the story. However, the complexities surrounding the process might prove surprising to some readers.
An overall excellent read! I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a real life glimpse of living and dreaming as a "lost boy" of Sudan. I would be interested in learning more about Valentino Achak Deng's adjustments and accomplishments since the writing of this book. I do hope that he enjoys a peaceful, productive and rewarding life in the U.S.