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What Is the What

the Autobiography of Valentino Achak Deng : a Novel
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Apr 29, 2017rusty_13 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Though cataloged as fiction, this true, personal account of a "lost boy" from Sudan is both heart-rendering and unforgettable.
Apr 18, 2016
I am half way through and am going to stop - goes on and on about mostly the same thing, Dave you can stop, "I get it already"... I read to learn things and to be inspired and somewhat to be entertained. I think I learnt what there is…
Mar 21, 2016uncommonreader rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
The lost boys of Sudan. A very remarkable story, well told.
jmr1969
Sep 30, 2015jmr1969 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
An extremely well-written and important book. It was my first book by Eggers and I was not disappointed! The human rights crisis described in this book through one individual should be required reading for every conscious human who lives…
Nov 11, 2014Chapel_Hill_KenMc rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Dave Eggers at his best, crafting a brilliant narrative from real-life events and memories. This novel/memoir has a protagonist you won't soon forget.
Mar 04, 2014
Eggers' narrator, a fictionalized version of a real person, is a Sudanese Lost Boy. Forced to flee his village by government militias, he survives marathon walks, starvation, disease, soldiers, bandits, land mines, lions, and refugee camps…
Feb 16, 2012loonylovesgood rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
A remarkable book. Hard to read in spots but I found it hard to put down. It certainly makes you stop and think and appreciate what you have...
zavirani
Jan 31, 2012zavirani rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
An excellent story from the perspective of one of the Lost Boys of Sudan. Eggers writes wonderfully, with a lot of emotion and a great voice that doesn't feel condescending or pandering to a bleeding heart. It's feels like an honest…
Sep 08, 2011
An incredible book & I recommend it to anyone and everyone. You won't forget the story of the Lost Boys -- they will stay with you.
Jul 22, 2011Harriet_the_Spy rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
A gripping book, tragic yet hopeful, and a remarkable work of art. American-born Eggers produces a completely believable self-portait of a South Sudanese refugee raised mostly in camps. The real Valentino Achak Deng both provided the…
Jun 09, 2011MelissaBee rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
"What is the What" provides another Dave Eggers classic where his curiosity and compassion for others shines through effortlessly. Those who keep up with the news are aware of the large scale human tragedy that occurred in the Sudanese…
Apr 26, 201122950011267937 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Wow! Great book! Read it if you want to be engaged in an amazing story of survival.
Mar 29, 2011JUGEY rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Fantastic!! A very memorable story and very well written.
Dec 11, 2010kitkat5447 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
This book is written so well. Everyone should read it. It is amazing what the human spirit is capable of overcoming.
Nov 17, 2010
A story about Valention Achak Deng who was among the thousands of Lost Boyz who fled their war torn country of Sudan into Ethiopia and Kenya in hopes of eventually starting a new life in the US. This really is an outstanding book. Sudan…
Sep 07, 2010lscottl rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
Another sad story of man's struggle against the 'Religion of Peace.'
Feb 27, 2010Darrelln rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
Everyone should read this. It is so interesting and unbelievable how man can overcome and what they can do to each other.