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A review by celtic_oracle
A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius: A Memoir Based on a True Story by Dave Eggers
1.0
This book had some initial promise - Eggers does know how to write. His description of watching his mother die from cancer was so evocative, I almost had to stop listening - too many vivid memories from watching loved ones go.
Unfortunately, when he strays from this type of straight-reporting style (his description of early Silicon Valley was also fascinating), everything falls apart. The writing moves to a more stream-of-consciousness format that results in repetition and thoughts of "where the hell is he going with this?" He also has a habit of having secondary characters break character, so he can thoroughly explain the symbolism that the reader is so obviously missing.
Finally, Eggers consistently comes off as a total jerk - a friend is in hospital and all he can think about is having sex with another friend? Someone please tell me all guys aren't really like this.
Unfortunately, when he strays from this type of straight-reporting style (his description of early Silicon Valley was also fascinating), everything falls apart. The writing moves to a more stream-of-consciousness format that results in repetition and thoughts of "where the hell is he going with this?" He also has a habit of having secondary characters break character, so he can thoroughly explain the symbolism that the reader is so obviously missing.
Finally, Eggers consistently comes off as a total jerk - a friend is in hospital and all he can think about is having sex with another friend? Someone please tell me all guys aren't really like this.