What Is the What (Vintage)
Read this book. All of a sudden, the burden of your day-to-day challenges will melt away. This book is classified as a novel by Dave Eggers, but according to the protagonist Valentino Achak Deng, it's a very accurate account of his life. He was forced to flee alone from his home village at about age 8 when it came under attack by both the Sudanese government and rebel armies. The novel chronicles his walk across the dessert to 'safety' in Ethiopia, life in two refugee camps and ultimately his resettlement in Atlanta, Georgia. Dave Eggers is a wonderful storyteller. He manages to depict the horrors Valentino encounters without being too graphic. Yet, as the reader, it's impossible not to feel impact of the tragedy in your gut as you turn the pages... This is a great book club offering. And the author is speaking in San Mateo at the Performing Arts Center on October 1.
comments
Yes, LB, it's an excellent book! I read it during vacation in Belize last November. I was also fascinated about his portrayal of life in Atlanta, Georgia. You would think that once he arrives in America, all his troubles would be behind him. Not so. An interesting viewpoint on America from the eyes of an immigrant. I highly recommend it. It truly expands your understanding of the world and allows you to see life from an entirely different view.
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