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gwalt118's review
4.0
A telling and moving memoir about one family caught in the intersection between Hurricane Katrina and the War on Terror. We don't often hear first hand accounts of these events, especially not from those like Zeitoun who stayed behind to ride out the storm. It's not a page-turner, but it's a quick read. Eggers writing style is, of course, superb. It's definitely worth a read.
wrentheblurry's review
5.0
(Rounded up from 4.5ish stars)
A riveting, moving recount of one man's experience after choosing to stay in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina. Eggers delivers the story from the point of view of Zeitoun (the man who stayed behind) and his wife, Kathy.
I learned much about how the government handled one particular aspect of the disaster, and it was difficult to read. Overall the good feeling of this man and his heroic actions broke through the ordeal he underwent, and I ended up feeling at least satisfied. Very good read!
A riveting, moving recount of one man's experience after choosing to stay in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina. Eggers delivers the story from the point of view of Zeitoun (the man who stayed behind) and his wife, Kathy.
I learned much about how the government handled one particular aspect of the disaster, and it was difficult to read. Overall the good feeling of this man and his heroic actions broke through the ordeal he underwent, and I ended up feeling at least satisfied. Very good read!
corvingreene's review
5.0
I'm teaching this book in the fall, so I needed to read it. It was very compelling, though I'm saddened that Zeitoun's story is tainted by his more recent domestic violence.
kingsamong's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Islamophobia and Police brutality
Minor: Animal death
johnnymacaroni's review against another edition
5.0
This is our One Read book for the town I work in. The program hasn't actually started..., just getting a head start. I'm on the fence about One Town-One Book programs but I do like this book a lot so far. Listening to the audio version.
Update: Finished! The audio is great and this story is an amazing story ultimately of courage and hope but there is a lot to be angry about... things that happened during Katrina and things that did not happen that are just outrageous and it doesn't really seem like 1) they were publicized effectively and 2) that anyone was held responsible. I'm glad this will be our One Read book...it's a VERY IMPORTANT book that I think every American should read. In my youth department we will encourage young people to read Two Bobbies by Kirby Larson. I welcome other ideas for young readers!
PS VERY IMPORTANT BOOK!
Update: Finished! The audio is great and this story is an amazing story ultimately of courage and hope but there is a lot to be angry about... things that happened during Katrina and things that did not happen that are just outrageous and it doesn't really seem like 1) they were publicized effectively and 2) that anyone was held responsible. I'm glad this will be our One Read book...it's a VERY IMPORTANT book that I think every American should read. In my youth department we will encourage young people to read Two Bobbies by Kirby Larson. I welcome other ideas for young readers!
PS VERY IMPORTANT BOOK!
braddy7's review
2.0
I made the mistake of googling the Zeitouns while I was reading the book. Although the book would get 5 stars for its writing style, I’m terribly conflicted over the story. It seems that they were not who they seemed, clearly their experience was traumatizing and that has likely played into their current troubles but it also seems that there is a bit of spin on the story. Who knows! I would love to know more about the conditions in NOLA during Katrina and the militarized police force.
katherinechase's review
4.0
The most compelling part of the book is learning about the failure of FEMA and their mistreatment (abuse, rather) of prisoners, including rampant arrests of innocent citizens. I did not know about Camp Greyhound and am shocked there has not been a formal investigation into Warden Cain and his makeshift “prison.”
This book exposes US priorities: militancy, incarceration, and “winning” the War on Terror. While hundreds of meals and cases of water were preserved for prisoners, refugees in the Superdome went hungry and thirsty.
I give this book four stars for the incredible writing, research, and storytelling. The protagonist was arrested for attempted murder of his wife (also a protagonist) about six years after publication of the book and is now awaiting deportation. It’s hard to take his marriage seriously after learning of this, but nevertheless what he went through was incredibly demeaning and abusive.
This book exposes US priorities: militancy, incarceration, and “winning” the War on Terror. While hundreds of meals and cases of water were preserved for prisoners, refugees in the Superdome went hungry and thirsty.
I give this book four stars for the incredible writing, research, and storytelling. The protagonist was arrested for attempted murder of his wife (also a protagonist) about six years after publication of the book and is now awaiting deportation. It’s hard to take his marriage seriously after learning of this, but nevertheless what he went through was incredibly demeaning and abusive.
angie_reading's review
What I want to remember and revisit from this book:
1. There are a few passages in which Eggers establishing setting that are simply wonderful.
2. Additionally Eggers employs some really interesting creative nonfiction techniques in which the author writes what he imagines Zeitoun's brother--this would be a great passage to analyze in a nonfiction writing course or even writing group.
1. There are a few passages in which Eggers establishing setting that are simply wonderful.
2. Additionally Eggers employs some really interesting creative nonfiction techniques in which the author writes what he imagines Zeitoun's brother--this would be a great passage to analyze in a nonfiction writing course or even writing group.