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4.13 AVERAGE
4.13 AVERAGE
I told a friend I was in the middle of this book and he said, "You know, I've heard it's an amazing book, I love Dave Eggers, but ... I just can't ... I just don't want to be harrowed." Indeed. I don't have a good descriptive word to encapsulate this book, so I'm just going to offer a mashup: wonderful/horrible. What Valentino, the protagonist, experiences in his young lifetime is nothing short of Hell -- Hell from his fellow countrymen, Hell from foreigners, Hell from nature and wildlife. And yet, it's mesmerizing to listen to his story, see his perspective, bear witness along with him. It's impossible not to be moved by his compassion and sensitivity, and then, when you realize that his story is not unique, that in fact it's been shared and experienced by millions of others, that his is just one account among so many atrocities, your heart shatters. Sometimes, the most valuable literature isn't necessarily enjoyable. I can't say I "enjoyed" this book, in the traditional sense of the word, yet simultaneously I loved and am grateful for it, and will never forget it.
What is the What by Dave Eggers was one of my library sale books. When I get free or crazy cheap books I like to branch outside oy comfort zones of knowledge (Revolutionary War history and anything Medieval or fantasy) so I grabbed What is the What because my knowledge on the Sudanese civil war and the Lost Boys is a shorter range than this sentence is long.
Let me start with the "What" in question comes from a story our narrator's father used to tell where God offers the Sudanese cattle to start their lives and fortunes, or "The What". According to his villages version of the tale the Muslims decided to take the What instead of cattle and that is why their people suffered.
Then, ok there was alot happening at once, the Muslim neighbors of these small Sudanese villages began to raid and pillage because the Sudanese goverment was in an uproar and about to collapse, and they were fighting the rebels so there was no one to protect the little people from bands of raiders. Things were not and did not end well for many characters we meet thus far. It is not a happy story like ever.
The narrator, Valentino Achak Deng, tells the story from his current misfortunes in the US while giving flashback narratives directed mentally at whomever is around (Boy who helped rob him, hospital receptionist, people at the gym he works at, etc).
My biggest issue with this book was that it's a fictional narrative, but the author wrote this story based on the real tale of the real life Valentino so it technically goes in fiction, but I'm itching to put it in history. Oh well.
Let me start with the "What" in question comes from a story our narrator's father used to tell where God offers the Sudanese cattle to start their lives and fortunes, or "The What". According to his villages version of the tale the Muslims decided to take the What instead of cattle and that is why their people suffered.
Then, ok there was alot happening at once, the Muslim neighbors of these small Sudanese villages began to raid and pillage because the Sudanese goverment was in an uproar and about to collapse, and they were fighting the rebels so there was no one to protect the little people from bands of raiders. Things were not and did not end well for many characters we meet thus far. It is not a happy story like ever.
The narrator, Valentino Achak Deng, tells the story from his current misfortunes in the US while giving flashback narratives directed mentally at whomever is around (Boy who helped rob him, hospital receptionist, people at the gym he works at, etc).
My biggest issue with this book was that it's a fictional narrative, but the author wrote this story based on the real tale of the real life Valentino so it technically goes in fiction, but I'm itching to put it in history. Oh well.
This book ended my extreme dislike of Dave Eggers. I enjoyed his first book, but then he struck me as such a pompous guy that I lost interest in him and couldn't bring myself to read his books.
This is completely different from what he's done before and it's truly a compelling and sensitive story told by a likable (real) character.
Eggers seems to have truly done justice to the story of one of the Lost Boys of southern Sudan. It's a wonderful telling of a very difficult story. As with many true stories of the horrors humans put other humans through, it's not easy to read sometimes, but it's an important story to know and it's well told.
This is completely different from what he's done before and it's truly a compelling and sensitive story told by a likable (real) character.
Eggers seems to have truly done justice to the story of one of the Lost Boys of southern Sudan. It's a wonderful telling of a very difficult story. As with many true stories of the horrors humans put other humans through, it's not easy to read sometimes, but it's an important story to know and it's well told.
Finally finished. The last 75 pages went so fast and were so engaging, I don't know why I waited so long before picking it back up. I would recommend this book to anyone. Dave Eggers does an amazing job of finding the regular moments of life, happiness and hope amidst the chaos (or sometimes endless boredom) of the refugee camps.
An engaging story, although many parts are emotionally difficult to read. It provides a window into the experiences of The Lost Boys of Sudan, as well as other refugees from Sudan. Definitely worth reading.
3.5 stars
Based on the true story of Valentino Achak Deng, a refugee from Sudan, during the civil war in the 1980s. The backbone for the story takes place in the 2000s, when Achak, now living in the States, gets robbed in his apartment and needs to go to the hospital. During this time he tells the story of his childhood in Sudan, the day the army came and wiped out his village, his walk through the desert first to Ethiopia, then to Kenya... Interspersed are anecdotes from his life as a refugee in the US.
Obviously this wasn’t the easiest book to read because of the difficult subject matter. It was worth it though, I really “enjoyed” learning about these events that I knew nothing about. Some things would have seemed ridiculous in a novel, but knowing they happened for real to this real person is hard to fathom.
A worthwhile read. That I almost ignored because I hated [b:The Circle|18302455|The Circle|Dave Eggers|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1376419833l/18302455._SX50_.jpg|25791820] by the same author so much.
Based on the true story of Valentino Achak Deng, a refugee from Sudan, during the civil war in the 1980s. The backbone for the story takes place in the 2000s, when Achak, now living in the States, gets robbed in his apartment and needs to go to the hospital. During this time he tells the story of his childhood in Sudan, the day the army came and wiped out his village, his walk through the desert first to Ethiopia, then to Kenya... Interspersed are anecdotes from his life as a refugee in the US.
Obviously this wasn’t the easiest book to read because of the difficult subject matter. It was worth it though, I really “enjoyed” learning about these events that I knew nothing about. Some things would have seemed ridiculous in a novel, but knowing they happened for real to this real person is hard to fathom.
A worthwhile read. That I almost ignored because I hated [b:The Circle|18302455|The Circle|Dave Eggers|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1376419833l/18302455._SX50_.jpg|25791820] by the same author so much.
narrative was unconvincing, and there is a serious disconnect between the experience being told and the author's voice.
1) the author is obviously not african or even african-american.
example: when describing the first encounter with a white, it sounded more like what a white person would *imagine* a black person seeing a white person for the first time would feel.
2) the author obviously had no background in war, war writing, or simply did not do research.
example: when the lion took away the little boy or when one of the boys stayed behind to give up and die -- neither imparted much conviction or elicited empathy.
3) the politics lessons did not come across as part of deng's story but instead like eggers was directly teaching to the reader.
4) the analogy / flashback from a 'present day' america mugging added no value.
i started reading it without knowing who the author was nor his relationship with the subject. had to look it up midway because several things just didn't make sense. i ended up not being able to finish the story.
1) the author is obviously not african or even african-american.
example: when describing the first encounter with a white, it sounded more like what a white person would *imagine* a black person seeing a white person for the first time would feel.
2) the author obviously had no background in war, war writing, or simply did not do research.
example: when the lion took away the little boy or when one of the boys stayed behind to give up and die -- neither imparted much conviction or elicited empathy.
3) the politics lessons did not come across as part of deng's story but instead like eggers was directly teaching to the reader.
4) the analogy / flashback from a 'present day' america mugging added no value.
i started reading it without knowing who the author was nor his relationship with the subject. had to look it up midway because several things just didn't make sense. i ended up not being able to finish the story.
Amazing book about a "Lost Boy" of Sudan. It is unbelievable- heartbreaking and inspiring. Takes a while to get through it, but it is worth it.
