Book for Feb - What is the What - Eggers

ainwein · 02-04-2008

Sorry I'm a little late getting this out - been busy. I also decided to go first because A) If this falls flat it is my fault and B) I wasn't sure who would be ready with a selection. After me it's just randomized.

Title: What is the What
Author: Dave Eggers

Amazon.com synopsis: Valentino Achak Deng, real-life hero of this engrossing epic, was a refugee from the Sudanese civil war-the bloodbath before the current Darfur bloodbath-of the 1980s and 90s. In this fictionalized memoir, Eggers (A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius) makes him an icon of globalization. Separated from his family when Arab militia destroy his village, Valentino joins thousands of other "Lost Boys," beset by starvation, thirst and man-eating lions on their march to squalid refugee camps in Ethiopia and Kenya, where Valentino pieces together a new life. He eventually reaches America, but finds his quest for safety, community and fulfillment in many ways even more difficult there than in the camps: he recalls, for instance, being robbed, beaten and held captive in his Atlanta apartment. Eggers's limpid prose gives Valentino an unaffected, compelling voice and makes his narrative by turns harrowing, funny, bleak and lyrical. The result is a horrific account of the Sudanese tragedy, but also an emblematic saga of modernity-of the search for home and self in a world of unending upheaval.

First, I hope that this book isn't too popular that many of us have read it. Dave Eggers is known for both his nonfiction and fiction works. What is the What is largely based off a true story - as in the main character was/is a real person, and the events depicted throughout the book are ones that happened. However, Achek wasn't able to always provide crystal-clear, precise recollections of long past events. Thus, Eggers was given leeway in regards to details, which prevent this book from being 100% non-fiction, but still allow for a very personal and true story about survival in the Sudan.

I picked this book because I believe that it is a compelling account of human suffering that we don't always hear a lot about. It is a graphic, often depressing book, but in my opinion, a necessary one. Human suffering and the sanctity of life ought not end at our borders, and by attaching real names and real stories to each of these 'statistics', the author compels the reader to give second thought to those much less fortunate than all of us.

P.S. Eggers is a very good writer. It's not all doom and gloom - there is plenty of funny!

Fadorn · 02-04-2008

Sounds interesting. I'll pick it up on my way home tonight

Just about done with the book I am currently reading.

Crystana65 · 02-05-2008

just letting you know that amazon.com also has it if you can't get to a bookstore. (Got a copy from them)

Are we all going to be suggesting books eventually? And if so, what types?

ainwein · 02-07-2008

Go buy this book! I've started re-reading it again. Just waiting for people to pick it up.

ainwein · 02-10-2008

I really hope you goofs who signed up for the list have bought this book!

fildien · 02-10-2008

Sorry, this book doesn't appeal to me. =\

Grift3r · 02-11-2008

Your public library will have this book too, if you choose not to buy it.

I'll be getting it this afternoon.

Bylimet Spiritwalker · 02-11-2008

We have two carriers out for surgeries, one out for a broken wrist from falling on a snow-covered painted porch (keep this in mind if painting your porch floor), one out for cancer treatments, and another retired last Saturday.....in other words, we are covering five vacant routes, in addition to two people on vacation each week, with only three sub-carriers. Needless to say, the overtime has taken away my time for leisure reading for a while. Six day work weeks suck.

velvetsilence · 02-11-2008

Picked it up today at lunch.

ainwein · 02-15-2008

I hope everyone who purchased the book is making their way through it nicely. This is only my second time reading it, which allows me to absorb some of the details I missed the first time because I was too busy trying to digest some of the things that happened (The lions... /shudder).

Anyways, I hope you are all enjoying it and if you haven't gone out and bought this book do it! You will not be dissapointed!

02-04-2008	#1
ainwein He Hate Me Joined: Feb 2002 Location: District of Columbia Party: Democrat Posts: 1,474 vCash: 1000	Book for Feb - What is the What - Eggers Sorry I'm a little late getting this out - been busy. I also decided to go first because A) If this falls flat it is my fault and B) I wasn't sure who would be ready with a selection. After me it's just randomized. Title: What is the What Author: Dave Eggers Amazon.com synopsis: Valentino Achak Deng, real-life hero of this engrossing epic, was a refugee from the Sudanese civil war-the bloodbath before the current Darfur bloodbath-of the 1980s and 90s. In this fictionalized memoir, Eggers (A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius) makes him an icon of globalization. Separated from his family when Arab militia destroy his village, Valentino joins thousands of other "Lost Boys," beset by starvation, thirst and man-eating lions on their march to squalid refugee camps in Ethiopia and Kenya, where Valentino pieces together a new life. He eventually reaches America, but finds his quest for safety, community and fulfillment in many ways even more difficult there than in the camps: he recalls, for instance, being robbed, beaten and held captive in his Atlanta apartment. Eggers's limpid prose gives Valentino an unaffected, compelling voice and makes his narrative by turns harrowing, funny, bleak and lyrical. The result is a horrific account of the Sudanese tragedy, but also an emblematic saga of modernity-of the search for home and self in a world of unending upheaval. First, I hope that this book isn't too popular that many of us have read it. Dave Eggers is known for both his nonfiction and fiction works. What is the What is largely based off a true story - as in the main character was/is a real person, and the events depicted throughout the book are ones that happened. However, Achek wasn't able to always provide crystal-clear, precise recollections of long past events. Thus, Eggers was given leeway in regards to details, which prevent this book from being 100% non-fiction, but still allow for a very personal and true story about survival in the Sudan. I picked this book because I believe that it is a compelling account of human suffering that we don't always hear a lot about. It is a graphic, often depressing book, but in my opinion, a necessary one. Human suffering and the sanctity of life ought not end at our borders, and by attaching real names and real stories to each of these 'statistics', the author compels the reader to give second thought to those much less fortunate than all of us. P.S. Eggers is a very good writer. It's not all doom and gloom - there is plenty of funny! __________________ Maestro of <Rest in Peace> - Ayonae Ro 80 Dirge of <Prism> - Everfrost 60 Druid of Elune - Sold! 60 Priest of Anetheron - Banned! 80 Druid of Maelstrom - Sold!

02-04-2008	#2
Fadorn The Drunk Monk Joined: Jan 2003 Location: Frederick, Maryland Party: Independent Posts: 204 vCash: 100	Sounds interesting. I'll pick it up on my way home tonight Just about done with the book I am currently reading. __________________ The DRUNK MONK lives Again! Fadorn Floyd on XBox Live Fadorn on PS3

02-07-2008	#4
ainwein He Hate Me Joined: Feb 2002 Location: District of Columbia Party: Democrat Posts: 1,474 vCash: 1000	Go buy this book! I've started re-reading it again. Just waiting for people to pick it up. __________________ Maestro of <Rest in Peace> - Ayonae Ro 80 Dirge of <Prism> - Everfrost 60 Druid of Elune - Sold! 60 Priest of Anetheron - Banned! 80 Druid of Maelstrom - Sold!

02-10-2008	#5
ainwein He Hate Me Joined: Feb 2002 Location: District of Columbia Party: Democrat Posts: 1,474 vCash: 1000	I really hope you goofs who signed up for the list have bought this book! __________________ Maestro of <Rest in Peace> - Ayonae Ro 80 Dirge of <Prism> - Everfrost 60 Druid of Elune - Sold! 60 Priest of Anetheron - Banned! 80 Druid of Maelstrom - Sold!

02-10-2008	#6
fildien Advocate of Mayhem Joined: Apr 2004 Location: Pennsylvania, USA Party: N/A Posts: 5,465 vCash: 1500	Sorry, this book doesn't appeal to me. =\ __________________ Nurta <Shark Baby> Mind Trick - Empire

02-05-2008	#3
Crystana65 Master of Squirrels Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 214 vCash: 1000	just letting you know that amazon.com also has it if you can't get to a bookstore. (Got a copy from them) Are we all going to be suggesting books eventually? And if so, what types?

02-11-2008	#7
Grift3r <This space for rent> Joined: Aug 2004 Posts: 509 vCash: 1000	Your public library will have this book too, if you choose not to buy it. I'll be getting it this afternoon.

02-11-2008	#8
Bylimet Spiritwalker Grey-haired gamer Joined: Jul 2003 Location: Minnesota Party: Independent Posts: 5,437 vCash: 0	We have two carriers out for surgeries, one out for a broken wrist from falling on a snow-covered painted porch (keep this in mind if painting your porch floor), one out for cancer treatments, and another retired last Saturday.....in other words, we are covering five vacant routes, in addition to two people on vacation each week, with only three sub-carriers. Needless to say, the overtime has taken away my time for leisure reading for a while. Six day work weeks suck. __________________ Live like it matters!

02-11-2008	#9
velvetsilence Worthless moron Joined: Sep 2004 Location: lost in San Jose Party: Moderate Posts: 1,681 vCash: 1100	Picked it up today at lunch.

02-15-2008	#10
ainwein He Hate Me Joined: Feb 2002 Location: District of Columbia Party: Democrat Posts: 1,474 vCash: 1000	I hope everyone who purchased the book is making their way through it nicely. This is only my second time reading it, which allows me to absorb some of the details I missed the first time because I was too busy trying to digest some of the things that happened (The lions... /shudder). Anyways, I hope you are all enjoying it and if you haven't gone out and bought this book do it! You will not be dissapointed! __________________ Maestro of <Rest in Peace> - Ayonae Ro 80 Dirge of <Prism> - Everfrost 60 Druid of Elune - Sold! 60 Priest of Anetheron - Banned! 80 Druid of Maelstrom - Sold!

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