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4.13 AVERAGE
4.13 AVERAGE
The subject matter of this book swayed me slightly from picking it up immediately, but after receiving it as a Christmas book, I dove into it wholeheartedly... that is, until I had to do some reading for school and then this poor little book sat in a loving position at the top of my to-read pile until I returned home for the summer.
This book swallowed me whole. The most effective way to describe this book in it's entirety is a quote taken from the middle of the book while narrator and protagonist of this memoir (of sorts: it was the best of my understanding, written by Dave Eggers who served as a translator of sorts for Valentino Achak Deng.)
Valentino says: "The circumference of calamity that surrounds me is impossible to ignore."
With only a passing interest in the crisis in Sudan, I was largely enthralled by this book, as the catastrophic circumstances in this book lead me to believe that my life is not anywhere near the dramatic depression that I have believed that I suffer from.
This book made me reconsider my whole outlook on life.
people with an ethical or political conscience. people with an ethical or political conscience.
This book swallowed me whole. The most effective way to describe this book in it's entirety is a quote taken from the middle of the book while narrator and protagonist of this memoir (of sorts: it was the best of my understanding, written by Dave Eggers who served as a translator of sorts for Valentino Achak Deng.)
Valentino says: "The circumference of calamity that surrounds me is impossible to ignore."
With only a passing interest in the crisis in Sudan, I was largely enthralled by this book, as the catastrophic circumstances in this book lead me to believe that my life is not anywhere near the dramatic depression that I have believed that I suffer from.
This book made me reconsider my whole outlook on life.
people with an ethical or political conscience. people with an ethical or political conscience.
This book could not be more well-written, beautiful, inspiring.
This book might best be described using the titles of two different books by Eggers "You Shall Know Our Velocity" and "How We Are Hungry." One of the saddest first person accounts I have ever read of a truly tragic situation. The horrifficness of the events, however, is not why this book is so compelling. Rather, the steadfast spirit and perserverence of the narrator (Valentino Achak Deng) despite all the hardship that he has seen. While it is definitely not a funny book, there are moments of poignant humor. The story is a sobering account of the relative security and fortune so many people take for granted, and this makes me love this book while I question my own realities and things I deem worthy of my time.
reflective
sad
I'm reading this book and amazed by my historical/political/geographical ignorance. I feel like I'm learning a lot as I negotiate this "autobiography". I'm feeling a little disappointed in Eggers' structure of the book. It lacks sophistication and that somehow seems disrespectful of his subject. Still, I'm only 1/4 finished.
Now that I've finished the book, I still think the structure Egger's gives is heavy-handed and phoney. The story, the voice, the narrative is brilliant. The voice of Achak Deng leaps off the page. I feel as if I intervied him myself. I'm very glad I read this book.
Now that I've finished the book, I still think the structure Egger's gives is heavy-handed and phoney. The story, the voice, the narrative is brilliant. The voice of Achak Deng leaps off the page. I feel as if I intervied him myself. I'm very glad I read this book.
I'm glad I read this. But I do think that the line between fact and fiction is blurry here, and people actually ARE interested in whether it's a novel or a biography. Perhaps a visit to Deng's website would shed light...
The story is fascinating (and horrific). However, I think I am just really not a fan of Dave Eggers writing. I hated his autobiography...and, while I liked the story, whenever Eggers stepped in to continue the narrative, using writing tools to further the story, I found myself wanting to stop reading the book. If you like Eggers' writing, definitely read this. If you're interested in the subject matter of child soldiers in Africa, by all means, read this. If you are interested in neither, carry on...
dark
informative
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
since i have no idea of anything to do with current events, i really learned a ton from this book about the civil war in sudan. i was peripherally aware of the genocide in darfur, but feel like i now have a much better understanding of the history leading up to the current crisis.