I recently finished What is the What, by Dave Eggers (author of A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius), and would definitely recommend it. What is the What is a fictionalized, though still biographical, account of Achak Deng's early life as one of Sudan's Lost Boys. Eggers befriended Deng and wrote the novel based on Deng's story. The best part is that Eggers was at that point a best-selling author, meaning his book would presumably draw much praise (read: attention) and money. All the proceeds from this book went to Deng's foundation, which is currently building a school in his village in Sudan.
Eggers is a very unique author, mixing humor with grief in a way that can be simultaneously difficult and understandable for one who has been through a prolonged period of hard times. For anyone who has read A Heartbreaking Work, you probably understand what I mean when I say that at times I wanted to throw the book at the wall. While What is the What sometimes had that feeling (mostly in the beginning), it was easier to sink into Achak's sadness. I think this was partly because I knew the story was based on mostly true events, thus allowing me to convince myself of the importance of reading the story. Also, when beginning this book, I think I felt as though it was a repeat, albeit a fictionalized one, of Ishmael Beah's A Long Way Gone, which in some ways it was. I soon realized that this was not the case, and would actually recommend reading them both. Beah's account is a memoir about being a child soldier in Sierra Leone, focusing solely on his time there. The book ends just as he is arriving in America, where he would soon attend Oberlin College. Deng's story is one of a refugee, and the book goes back and forth between his time in Sudan, Ethiopia, and Kenya and America, highlighting that this Lost Boy remains lost, even when he has been given a new lease on life in the US.
Both books are generally about war-torn Africa and the effects these various conflicts have on young people, young people who are now part of this country. Yet, it is also important to understand the variety of conflicts and reasons for them, as well as experiences had by those involved. These stories are told by very different voices, but ultimately, are told to shed light on a world that too often we consider to be farther away and more separate than it really is.
5 comments:
I am so glad you post book recommendations, one day we'll have to chat about making a list -- I just never know where to begin!
I read A Long Way Gone and it was so hard to read his experience that it took me a good two months. Beah writes with such clarity and insight that at times, I found it overwhelming. Good call on the recommendations! I look forward to reading more. Also, I like the new header.
Lorin - I took that picture right by our new apartment. You need to come see it!!!
I think you'd really like What is the What - it offers another account of a war situation in Africa, but is a new story and offers a different, engaging way of writing.
Oh, and one more thing - people should give us some book recommendations!
the life you can save - peter singer -- this dude has some crazy ideas and i've never been a fan of his, but this was thought provoking, obviously.
the lexis and the olive tree - friedman -- i had to read this as a freshman in b-school back when globalization was all the rage, so it's concepts are a bit dated. however, the crumbling economy of the present draws some strikingly similar parallels to the ideologies in the book. for instance, friedman describes the the asian markets of the 80's and attributes recovery of those markets to global markets. in other words, if you wanna get a better understanding of just how and why asia owns the u.s. (namely china), this book and will help you immensely. that was what drew me back to it. just finished it again last week. also check out hot, flat, and crowded by friedman as well. i took that one in that last fall.
the conscience of a liberal - krugam -- no doubt everyone who reads this blog has read this, but if you haven't, your liberal license should be revoked.
a people's history of the united states - zinn -- a rather popular choice, but being a young, ignorant hillbilly in 1994, i have to say this opened my eyes to worlds and views outside of southern wv.
watchmen - yes, i read a comic book. i've never been a big fan of the genre, but it wasn't my first. graphic novels can be intense and they tend to spark the imagination, imo. i will say it was very, very good. it also draws parallels with the state of the world over the last several decades and today. and coupled with my jaded belief that everything will eventually turn to shit, i enjoyed it.
if you enjoy torturing yourself as i do, pick some cormac mccarthy. the road and blood meridian are two that really bust you in the face.
nothing groundbreaking here, but i thought i'd share some books that i hadn't already. have you read anything else by eggers? i remember hearing about you shall know our velocity and wanting to read it, but never did. suppose i'll grab what is the what.
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