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What is the What (Hardcover)

by Dave Eggers (Author) "I have no reason not to answer the door so I answer the door ..." (more)
4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)

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Product details

  • Hardcover: 480 pages
  • Publisher: Hamish Hamilton Ltd (24 May 2007)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 0241142571
  • ISBN-13: 978-0241142578
  • Product Dimensions: 23.2 x 15.2 x 3.8 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 209,748 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Review

'One of the best writers around' Nick Hornby, Observer 'Eggers can write about pretty much anything and make it glitter and somersault on the page' The New York Times 'Dave Eggers has become J. D. Salinger, Ken Kesey and Jack Kerouac rolled into one' The Times


Review

'A stirring tale, told with admirable simplicity by a classy writer'. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Inside This Book (Learn More)
First Sentence
I have no reason not to answer the door so I answer the door. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews

13 Reviews
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 (8)
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Average Customer Review
4.5 out of 5 stars (13 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Heartbreaking and Staggering. Possibly genius at last..., 19 Nov 2006
By Deborah Mancino (Bay Area, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
This review is from: What Is the What (Hardcover)
Perhaps in telling the story of Sudanese Lost Boy, Valentino Achak Deng, who has seen things no one should ever see, Eggers has stumbled upon a way to truly break our hearts and inform them without being self-conscious or tragically hip. This is a tough and beautiful read, especially given the fresh horrors befalling the people of Sudan in the current conflict.

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15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars what is the what is what we've been waiting for, 1 Jun 2007
By Tatiana Butter (London, The United Kingdom) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
i have enjoyed reading this book very much, not only is it very informative, but it manages to describe the plight of human beings and the way refugees and immigres behave and are treated. It is an epic story of our times, I doubt that any immigrant or person who has gone through hard times at their own country would not be able to empathise! a very good read, and also although the book tackles some depressing and gloomy events, it retains its sense of humour and lightness of touch.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Heart Of Africa, 19 Nov 2008
By Mr. Donald S. Murray "NISEACH" (Scotland) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
This book is hard to classify. It is said to be an autobiography but it written by someone other than the central character Valentin, a refugee from Somalia - the American writer Dave Eggers. Yet he performs the most awe-inspiring ventriloquist act ever committed to paper, showing both the suffering and the strength of spirit of a man who escapes the cruelty of his homeland and adjusts to the new life in the United States.

Read this book and weep. And laugh. And marvel. It's the most under-rated work that has appeared over the last years. While it is large in terms of the numbers of pages in his book, it is dwarfed by the size and scale of the writer's humanity.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars A tribute to South Sudanese
Hard to recommend this enough. Almost overpowered by guilt at the enjoyment of a work that relates so unbelievably much horrendous suffering. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Ton

3.0 out of 5 stars Informative
The way the story is narrated is the most interesting and attractive aspect of this book.
If you want to know about Sudan and gain some greater insight to a country that is... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Choudhry

4.0 out of 5 stars A page turner with interesting facts about Sudan
I couldn't put this one down. Even tried to read it on the subway when it was rattling about and I could hardly hold the book still. Read more
Published 6 months ago by absolutebookworm

5.0 out of 5 stars A well-constructed story
Using the techniques of novel-writing, Eggers has created an engaging account of the life and struggles of a refugee. Read more
Published 8 months ago by D. K. Bagshaw

3.0 out of 5 stars A Journey in Search of the What
What is the What is the result of a collaboration between Valentino Achak Deng, a Sudanese refugee, and the writer Dave Eggers. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Herman Norford

4.0 out of 5 stars Don't look for the what
Southern Soudan. War bursts. Villages are eliminated, women raped, men killed, children enslaved. Valentino Achak Deng, a young boy surprised by this whirlpool of atrocities,... Read more
Published 13 months ago by Francois

5.0 out of 5 stars Truly remarkable novel
Truly wonderful book. Deeply moving true story of one of Sudan's lost boy's experiences. Dave Eggers really has proved just how good he really is by managing to bring such... Read more
Published 15 months ago by Ms. Jenny Holden

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic
This is a fantastic book, not only educational, but a memoir written by someone who understands how to shape a narrative. Read more
Published 16 months ago by MtmKilljoy

5.0 out of 5 stars A truly IMPORTANT book
Dave Eggers What is the What is a fantastic book which gives you an insight of the political situation and the brutal civil war of Sudan. Read more
Published 18 months ago by Sabine Leitner

5.0 out of 5 stars Stunning and shaming
What is the what by Dave Eggers is a tale of epic suffering told through the eyes of a young Sudanese boy who sees his way of life violently destroyed and together with thousands... Read more
Published 19 months ago by Stuart

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