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anonymousity 's review for:
A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius
by Dave Eggers
Eggers' parents both died of cancer, 32 days apart, when he was in his early 20s, and his brother was 7. He became his brother's legal guardian and the book is the memoir of his coping and parenting. This premise itself is heartbreaking and shocking, and while the work wasn't quite staggering, it was very readable, and, in some parts, even relatable. Due to its stream of consciousness style this was a much quicker and easier read than I expected - at some times I was reluctant to put it down, and I usually was quite eager to pick it up, whereas usually books don't grab my attention in that way.
I think Eggers' grief, denial, support system, and coping mechanisms were interesting. He hardly mentions therapy, and so I wonder if this played any role, or continues to.
I would have liked to read a version from Toph's and Beth's point of views.
Edit: I just went back and read some others' reviews to refresh my memory on this and get some different perspectives. It's true his overload of information and stories about his magazine was too much, and dull. And he is full of himself. But I'll leave it at 4 stars because it was still a pretty readable read. That sounds mediocre, but it kept my attention more than other books do. Maybe I kept hoping to get more from Toph, from Beth, but it was only his view, all the time. Still, I was pretty interested in the Dave-Toph relationship development (or lack thereof - but the substance and brotherly love).
I think Eggers' grief, denial, support system, and coping mechanisms were interesting. He hardly mentions therapy, and so I wonder if this played any role, or continues to.
I would have liked to read a version from Toph's and Beth's point of views.
Edit: I just went back and read some others' reviews to refresh my memory on this and get some different perspectives. It's true his overload of information and stories about his magazine was too much, and dull. And he is full of himself. But I'll leave it at 4 stars because it was still a pretty readable read. That sounds mediocre, but it kept my attention more than other books do. Maybe I kept hoping to get more from Toph, from Beth, but it was only his view, all the time. Still, I was pretty interested in the Dave-Toph relationship development (or lack thereof - but the substance and brotherly love).