Dave Eggers

the autobiography of Valentino Achak Deng : a novel

What is the what

Luke Stamps

Brilliantly written. Engrossing, heartbreaking, witty, humane. Eggers takes the real life story of Sudanese refugee Valentino Deng and delivers it in a novel form. Well worth the time.

Jeannette Ordas

Phew, this was a slow but engrossing and beautiful read! I throughly enjoyed this book and felt I really got to understand not only about the conflict in Sudan, but about being displaced, searching for home and striving for something better. Obstacles and tragedy abound but being human is about searching and learning. What is the what, indeed.

What is the What is Dave Eggers's astonishing novel about one of the world's most brutal civil wars Valentino Achak Deng is just a boy when conflict separates him from his family and forces him to leave his small Sudanese village, joining thousands of other orphans on their long, long walk to Ethiopia, where they find safety - for a time. Along the way Valentino encounters enemy soldiers, liberation rebels and deadly militias, hyenas and lions, disease and starvation. But there are experiences ahead that will test his spirit in even greater ways than these . . . Truly epic in scope, and told with expansive humanity, deep compassion and unexpected humour, What is the What is an eye-opening account of life amid the madness of war and an unforgettable tale of tragedy and triumph. 'If there was ever any doubt that Dave Eggers is one of our most important storytellers, What Is the What should put it to rest... [A] strange, beautiful and unforgettable work' San Francisco Chronicle 'A remarkable book: harrowing, witty, wretched, delightful; and always compelling, always surprising' London Review of Books All of the author's proceeds from this book will go to the Valentino Achak Deng Foundation. Read more at: www.valentinoachakdeng.com.

What is the What

Belle

I found the first half of this book really slow. It seemed like Achak remembered more details of earlier events, maybe, so everything was told with so much detail it felt like I was experiencing it in real time. The second half had less detail, and I liked that better. I really didn't like how Achak told his story of the past to characters in the present. This seemed unnecessary, and bothered me a lot. But I'm glad I read this, and that Achak told his story. He's survived a lot and it's all pretty depressing, especially how bad things are for him when he finally gets to America. I hope he eventually did get a degree at university like he wanted to.

Courtney Woolery

Melody Izard

Valentino Achak Deng tells the story of his life through the words of Dave Eggers in  What is the What. Since most of the happenings in the book occurred several years ago – the book is an historic novel based on actual occurrences. His story begins with the start of the over 20 year old civil war between the government of Sudan and the People’s Liberation Movement/Army. When his village is attached, Achak flees on foot and walks across Africa toward Ethiopia while dodging bombs, bullets and lions; while watching countless of his fellow refugees be eaten by crocodiles, blown up by land mines, or die from malaria; toward an unknown salvation. He does not know what became of his family, he does not know when he’ll eat his next meal, and he has no idea how many days he will live. 

After Deng relates tragedy after tragedy he finally receives word that some of the boys will be relocated to safer countries. He imagines a place where he can receive a good education and earn enough money to start a family and return to Sudan to help rebuild after the war ends. But life is not easy for the Sudanese “lost boys”. Most were relocated without any money or possessions and were expected to exist in a very alien culture by working in the least desirable minimum-wage jobs. This resulted in the Sudanese relocation being called a “failed experiment.” From the book: 

“We were the model Africans. For so long, this was our designation. We were applauded for our industriousness and good manners and, best or all, our devotion to our faith. The churches adored us, and the leaders they bankrolled and controlled coveted us. But now the enthusiasm has dampened. We have exhausted many of our hosts. We are young men and young men are prone to vice. Among the four thousand are those who have entertained prostitutes, who have lost weeks and months to drugs, many more who have lost their fire to drink, dozens who have become inexpert gamblers, fighters. 

What is the What is Valentino’s attempt to get the story of the plight of his people out to the world in hopes that they money raised (all proceeds from the book will be used to improve the lives of Sudanese in Sudan and elsewhere) will benefit Sudan.

Ingrid cops

Dit is echt een van mijn lievelingsboeken. Heb nog nooit zo meegeleefd met een hoofpersonnage, vooral omdat het gebaseerd is op ware feiten die voor mij ooit 'de-ver-van-mij-bed-show' waren. Je wordt niet bepaald vrolijk van dit boek, maar ik ben heel blij dat ik het gelezen heb! Een absolute aanrader.

Janet Doré

Simply put...this book changed me. It also helped me to more effectively help the refugees that I mentor through the an agency. It will open your eyes - and hopefully your heart - to the plight of the Sudanese.

What is the what the autobiography of Valentino Achak Deng : a novel

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