50 pages 1 hour read

Dave Eggers

What Is The What

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2006

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

What Is the What by Dave Eggers is a “fictionalized autobiography” about Valentino Achak Deng, a boy displaced during the Second Sudanese War. Fleeing his village after an attack, Deng endures a perilous journey through hostile territories, eventually reaching refugee camps and later emigrating to the United States, where he faces new challenges while reflecting on his past and helping other Sudanese refugees. The book contains descriptions of violence, trauma, and war.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

What Is The What by Dave Eggers is a powerful and deeply moving novel that intricately blends fiction and autobiography. Critics praised its compelling narrative and the poignant portrayal of Sudanese refugee experiences. Some felt the pacing lagged in parts, but overall, the book's emotional depth and narrative strength resonated widely.

Who should read this

Who Should Read What Is The What?

Readers who appreciate literary fiction and memoirs with a focus on social issues and resilience will enjoy What Is the What by Dave Eggers. Fans of The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini and A Long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah will find this gripping tale of a Sudanese refugee's survival and hope particularly compelling.

Recommended

Reading Age

18+years

Lexile Level

870L

Book Details

Genre

Historical Fiction

Modern Classic Fiction

Topics

Military / War

History: World