What is the What by Dave Eggers
I don't know where to start - I don't think I have the proper vocabulary to express my feelings about this book. Dave Eggers writes the biography of Valentino - in the first person. And he is a reliable narrator, having lived through the horror that was and is Sudan. The familiarity required to be able to tell a story and writing it as another person is breathtaking in scope and magical for the reader.
(Mr. Eggers started a nonprofit to teach creative writing to students age 6-18 - 826 National.)
His story alternates between his experiences walking through Sudan, surviving in various refugee camps and living in America. Valentino (Achak) is strong and wise, with a heart full of grace. For me, each page had the weight of ten pages. It took me 2 weeks to finish - which as you know is an eternity around here - it's just not a book you can breeze through. And you won't want to.
And if you are curious about the title, the story is in the book. So read it. 5 stars.
more info and sample chapter here:
The End.
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