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4.13 AVERAGE
4.13 AVERAGE
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
1. Whatever people might say about Dave Eggers, this book and especially the main character, Valentino, are the best I have read in a very very very long time. Heartwarming, tragic, beautiful, informative, a thousand adjectives of love.
2. You should read Nick's review and the comments when you're done -- there are several sociological issues at hand with how Eggers chose to handle the autobiography/authorship, truth vs. fiction, elements of the story, and Nick and Carrie do a great job of hashing that out here: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/11864390
2. You should read Nick's review and the comments when you're done -- there are several sociological issues at hand with how Eggers chose to handle the autobiography/authorship, truth vs. fiction, elements of the story, and Nick and Carrie do a great job of hashing that out here: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/11864390
I'd missed this book becoming popular about a decade ago, so when I picked it up from the library bookstore it was completely new to me. I've never read anything by Dave Eggars, and I'm sorry/not sorry to admit this, but the contrarian in me didn't want to risk reading his books and maybe liking them, because a lot of the folks I saw touting that he is the best writer ever I found wholly obnoxious. So, naturally, I read this book privately as to not appear as if my hipster hate was softening.
I was also really concerned about what it means for a white American writer creating a kind-of-novel, kind-of-auto-biography of a Sudanese refugee. I felt as though I shouldn't read the book, that it wasn't right. Valentino's letter in the beginning made me decide to give it a go. I didn't know at first, but I am glad to know now that Eggers donates all of the proceeds from book to the Valentino Achak Deng Foundation.
So what did I think... This book was a hard read for me because the story is so brutal and the way it is told (this sort of matter-of-fact, this happened then that happened) doesn't provide any breathing room from the carnage (but should there be breathing room?). The story begins with hardship that escalates, really, until like the last 20 pages, and the whole thing is like 425 pages so just imagine. Many times throughout reading my partner would ask me if I liked the book, or if I was "ok" and I just kind of grimaced each time. But I kept going until the end. I believe that it's important for me, and people like me to know this story and stories like Valentino's. Yet, I hate the idea that in order to build empathy and/or to get people to "care" about what happens outside of their lives, someone has to tear open their veins and bleed all over a page. The privilege to passively learn a little world history/politics through someone else's suffering -- ugh.
So I guess I feel super conflicted about whether this is a "good" book. Perhaps it would be better to say it's an important one.
I was also really concerned about what it means for a white American writer creating a kind-of-novel, kind-of-auto-biography of a Sudanese refugee. I felt as though I shouldn't read the book, that it wasn't right. Valentino's letter in the beginning made me decide to give it a go. I didn't know at first, but I am glad to know now that Eggers donates all of the proceeds from book to the Valentino Achak Deng Foundation.
So what did I think... This book was a hard read for me because the story is so brutal and the way it is told (this sort of matter-of-fact, this happened then that happened) doesn't provide any breathing room from the carnage (but should there be breathing room?). The story begins with hardship that escalates, really, until like the last 20 pages, and the whole thing is like 425 pages so just imagine. Many times throughout reading my partner would ask me if I liked the book, or if I was "ok" and I just kind of grimaced each time. But I kept going until the end. I believe that it's important for me, and people like me to know this story and stories like Valentino's. Yet, I hate the idea that in order to build empathy and/or to get people to "care" about what happens outside of their lives, someone has to tear open their veins and bleed all over a page. The privilege to passively learn a little world history/politics through someone else's suffering -- ugh.
So I guess I feel super conflicted about whether this is a "good" book. Perhaps it would be better to say it's an important one.
Such a powerful and good book. Thanks Dave Eggers for writing it in Valentino’s voice. It is really genuine.
Great book for anyone who cares about people: Loved it!
I shouldn't conider this a book I've 'read' as I only got 200 of some 400 pages into it. Partially because it's a bit slow for my tastes but mostly because of the topic. I'm an emotional wimp when it comes to certain topics and rather then feel inspired I'll feel stressed, upset and nervous. I can't read Uncle Tom's Cabin, books on the holocaust or books where animals are abused, etc, etc. You get the point. Though this book does a good job of telling you about what happens without stressing you out (as far as I got) it's still upsetting to tender, overly sensitive little moi.
This was very interestingly told, going back and forth between past and present, without revealing too much of what happens in the middle beforehand. It did take me a while to get through, and didn't really ever keep me reading late into the night, but I was enjoying it more and more as went, especially the last 100 pages or so. I wouldn't necessarily recommend it to everyone, but if you're interested in Sudanese history, current Sudanese issues, boy soldiers, refugees, or just reading all of Dave Eggers' work like I am, I think you would enjoy it.
I also just really appreciated how the title was worked into the story along the way, and was answered by the ending.
I also just really appreciated how the title was worked into the story along the way, and was answered by the ending.
Wow -- I want to hold Valentino in my heart forever. Thank you for your long-suffering and grace.
Wow.
I wish everyone could read this book. We need to understand. Thank you, Valentino, for sharing your journey.
Wow.
I wish everyone could read this book. We need to understand. Thank you, Valentino, for sharing your journey.
Wow.