"How could I put everything down on paper? It seemed impossible. No matter what, the majority of life would be left out of this story, this sliver of a version of the life I'd known." (432)—Valentino Achak Deng in What is the What by Dave Eggers
The story was important enough that all other activity needed to cease. Work had to continue and rearing of the child and eating and sleeping, but otherwise the story had to be followed and finished, squeezed in wherever time allowed. But, then, does the story finish just because it is followed to completion?
What is the What will most likely be the best book I read in 2007. It easily makes my list of top books. It is a story that compels the reader to read it. It is a story that haunts, that shifts one’s outlook on the world, and leaves the reader different, changed.
I began the book partly due to word of mouth—on the street, a good review in The New York Times Book Review, press on the McSweeney's website—and partly due to interest in the synopsis of the story and enjoyment of Egger's A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius. The story is very compelling, and once I was immersed I knew that I had to keep reading, I had to get to the "other side" of the novel. But, what really compelled me to read with a sense of urgency was getting to hear Achak Deng's story in person, and to speak with him.
I am exhausted, and know that I will have to revisit the book at some point in the near future. But, for now, I am blessed to have lived in Achak Deng's story for the past two weeks. I hope that you will also live there very soon.
1 comment:
I was fortunate enough to receive an advanced reader's edition of "A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius". I loved it. I will take your advice and read his new work.
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