Reviews
'[An] Astonishing story & of immerse power, emotion and even, in the midst of horror, beauty.' -Salman Rushdie 'Told with humor, humanity, and bottomless compassion for his subject. . . . It is impossible to read this book and not be humbled, enlightened, transformed.' -Khaled Hosseini, author of The Kite Runner 'Lit by lightning flashes of humor, wisdom and charm. . . . An extraordinary work of witness, and of art.' -Francine Prose, The New York Times Book Review 'A moving, frightening, improbably beautiful book.' -Lev Grossman, Time 'A testament to the triumph of hope over experience, human resilience over tragedy and disaster.' -Michiko Kakutani, The New York Times "An absolute classic. . . . Compelling, important, and vital to the understanding of the politics and emotional consequences of oppression." -Jonathan Durbin, People 'A sweet and sometimes very funny story of one boy's coming of age. . . . Strange, beautiful and unforgettable.' -John Freeman, San Francisco Chronicle, "[An] Astonishing story ⊠of immerse power, emotion and even, in the midst of horror, beauty." -Salman Rushdie "Told with humor, humanity, and bottomless compassion for his subject. . . . It is impossible to read this book and not be humbled, enlightened, transformed." -Khaled Hosseini, author of The Kite Runner "Lit by lightning flashes of humor, wisdom and charm. . . . An extraordinary work of witness, and of art." -Francine Prose, The New York Times Book Review "A moving, frightening, improbably beautiful book." -Lev Grossman, Time "A testament to the triumph of hope over experience, human resilience over tragedy and disaster." -Michiko Kakutani, The New York Times "An absolute classic. . . . Compelling, important, and vital to the understanding of the politics and emotional consequences of oppression." -Jonathan Durbin, People "A sweet and sometimes very funny story of one boy's coming of age. . . . Strange, beautiful and unforgettable." -John Freeman, San Francisco Chronicle, "[An] Astonishing story … of immerse power, emotion and even, in the midst of horror, beauty." -Salman Rushdie "Told with humor, humanity, and bottomless compassion for his subject. . . . It is impossible to read this book and not be humbled, enlightened, transformed." -Khaled Hosseini, author of The Kite Runner "Lit by lightning flashes of humor, wisdom and charm. . . . An extraordinary work of witness, and of art." -Francine Prose, The New York Times Book Review "A moving, frightening, improbably beautiful book." -Lev Grossman, Time "A testament to the triumph of hope over experience, human resilience over tragedy and disaster." -Michiko Kakutani, The New York Times "An absolute classic. . . . Compelling, important, and vital to the understanding of the politics and emotional consequences of oppression." -Jonathan Durbin, People "A sweet and sometimes very funny story of one boy's coming of age. . . . Strange, beautiful and unforgettable." -John Freeman, San Francisco Chronicle, "Told with humor, humanity, and bottomless compassion for his subject. . . . It is impossible to read this book and not be humbled, enlightened, transformed." -Khaled Hosseini, author ofThe Kite Runner "Lit by lightning flashes of humor, wisdom and charm. . . . An extraordinary work of witness, and of art." -Francine Prose,The New York Times Book Review "A moving, frightening, improbably beautiful book." -Lev Grossman,Time "A testament to the triumph of hope over experience, human resilience over tragedy and disaster." -Michiko Kakutani,The New York Times "An absolute classic. . . . Compelling, important, and vital to the understanding of the politics and emotional consequences of oppression." -Jonathan Durbin,People "A sweet and sometimes very funny story of one boy's coming of age. . . . Strange, beautiful and unforgettable." -John Freeman,San Francisco Chronicle From the Trade Paperback edition., "Told with humor, humanity, and bottomless compassion for his subject. . . . It is impossible to read this book and not be humbled, enlightened, transformed." -Khaled Hosseini, author ofThe Kite Runner "Lit by lightning flashes of humor, wisdom and charm. . . . An extraordinary work of witness, and of art." -Francine Prose,The New York Times Book Review "A moving, frightening, improbably beautiful book." -Lev Grossman,Time "A testament to the triumph of hope over experience, human resilience over tragedy and disaster." -Michiko Kakutani,The New York Times "An absolute classic. . . . Compelling, important, and vital to the understanding of the politics and emotional consequences of oppression." -Jonathan Durbin,People "A sweet and sometimes very funny story of one boy's coming of age. . . . Strange, beautiful and unforgettable." -John Freeman,San Francisco Chronicle, "[An] Astonishing story … of immerse power, emotion and even, in the midst of horror, beauty." -Salman Rushdie "Told with humor, humanity, and bottomless compassion for his subject. . . . It is impossible to read this book and not be humbled, enlightened, transformed." -Khaled Hosseini, author of The Kite Runner "Lit by lightning flashes of humor, wisdom and charm. . . . An extraordinary work of witness, and of art." -Francine Prose, The New York Times Book Review "A moving, frightening, improbably beautiful book." -Lev Grossman, Time "A testament to the triumph of hope over experience, human resilience over tragedy and disaster." -Michiko Kakutani, The New York Times "An absolute classic. . . . Compelling, important, and vital to the understanding of the politics and emotional consequences of oppression." -Jonathan Durbin, People "A sweet and sometimes very funny story of one boy's coming of age. . . . Strange, beautiful and unforgettable." -John Freeman, San Francisco Chronicle, "[An] Astonishing story ... of immerse power, emotion and even, in the midst of horror, beauty." --Salman Rushdie "Told with humor, humanity, and bottomless compassion for his subject. . . . It is impossible to read this book and not be humbled, enlightened, transformed." --Khaled Hosseini, author of The Kite Runner "Lit by lightning flashes of humor, wisdom and charm. . . . An extraordinary work of witness, and of art." --Francine Prose, The New York Times Book Review "A moving, frightening, improbably beautiful book." --Lev Grossman, Time "A testament to the triumph of hope over experience, human resilience over tragedy and disaster." --Michiko Kakutani, The New York Times "An absolute classic. . . . Compelling, important, and vital to the understanding of the politics and emotional consequences of oppression." --Jonathan Durbin, People "A sweet and sometimes very funny story of one boy's coming of age. . . . Strange, beautiful and unforgettable." --John Freeman, San Francisco Chronicle, "[An] Astonishing story & of immerse power, emotion and even, in the midst of horror, beauty." -Salman Rushdie "Told with humor, humanity, and bottomless compassion for his subject. . . . It is impossible to read this book and not be humbled, enlightened, transformed." -Khaled Hosseini, author of The Kite Runner "Lit by lightning flashes of humor, wisdom and charm. . . . An extraordinary work of witness, and of art." -Francine Prose, The New York Times Book Review "A moving, frightening, improbably beautiful book." -Lev Grossman, Time "A testament to the triumph of hope over experience, human resilience over tragedy and disaster." -Michiko Kakutani, The New York Times "An absolute classic. . . . Compelling, important, and vital to the understanding of the politics and emotional consequences of oppression." -Jonathan Durbin, People "A sweet and sometimes very funny story of one boy's coming of age. . . . Strange, beautiful and unforgettable." -John Freeman, San Francisco Chronicle, New York Times Notable Book * NATIONAL BOOK CRITICS CIRCLE AWARD FINALIST "[An] Astonishing story ... of immerse power, emotion and even, in the midst of horror, beauty." --Salman Rushdie "Told with humor, humanity, and bottomless compassion for his subject. . . . It is impossible to read this book and not be humbled, enlightened, transformed." --Khaled Hosseini, author of The Kite Runner "Lit by lightning flashes of humor, wisdom and charm. . . . An extraordinary work of witness, and of art." --Francine Prose, The New York Times Book Review "A moving, frightening, improbably beautiful book." --Lev Grossman, Time "A testament to the triumph of hope over experience, human resilience over tragedy and disaster." --Michiko Kakutani, The New York Times "An absolute classic. . . . Compelling, important, and vital to the understanding of the politics and emotional consequences of oppression." --Jonathan Durbin, People "A sweet and sometimes very funny story of one boy's coming of age. . . . Strange, beautiful and unforgettable." --John Freeman, San Francisco Chronicle, “[An] Astonishing story & of immerse power, emotion and even, in the midst of horror, beauty.” -Salman Rushdie “Told with humor, humanity, and bottomless compassion for his subject. . . . It is impossible to read this book and not be humbled, enlightened, transformed.” -Khaled Hosseini, author of The Kite Runner “Lit by lightning flashes of humor, wisdom and charm. . . . An extraordinary work of witness, and of art.” -Francine Prose, The New York Times Book Review “A moving, frightening, improbably beautiful book.” -Lev Grossman, Time “A testament to the triumph of hope over experience, human resilience over tragedy and disaster.” -Michiko Kakutani, The New York Times "An absolute classic. . . . Compelling, important, and vital to the understanding of the politics and emotional consequences of oppression." -Jonathan Durbin, People “A sweet and sometimes very funny story of one boy’s coming of age. . . . Strange, beautiful and unforgettable.” -John Freeman, San Francisco Chronicle, "[An] Astonishing story hellip; of immerse power, emotion and even, in the midst of horror, beauty." -Salman Rushdie "Told with humor, humanity, and bottomless compassion for his subject. . . . It is impossible to read this book and not be humbled, enlightened, transformed." -Khaled Hosseini, author ofThe Kite Runner "Lit by lightning flashes of humor, wisdom and charm. . . . An extraordinary work of witness, and of art." -Francine Prose,The New York Times Book Review "A moving, frightening, improbably beautiful book." -Lev Grossman,Time "A testament to the triumph of hope over experience, human resilience over tragedy and disaster." -Michiko Kakutani,The New York Times "An absolute classic. . . . Compelling, important, and vital to the understanding of the politics and emotional consequences of oppression." -Jonathan Durbin,People "A sweet and sometimes very funny story of one boyrs"s coming of age. . . . Strange, beautiful and unforgettable." -John Freeman,San Francisco Chronicle, "[An] Astonishing story hellip; of immerse power, emotion and even, in the midst of horror, beauty." -Salman Rushdie "Told with humor, humanity, and bottomless compassion for his subject. . . . It is impossible to read this book and not be humbled, enlightened, transformed." -Khaled Hosseini, author ofThe Kite Runner "Lit by lightning flashes of humor, wisdom and charm. . . . An extraordinary work of witness, and of art." -Francine Prose,The New York Times Book Review "A moving, frightening, improbably beautiful book." -Lev Grossman,Time "A testament to the triumph of hope over experience, human resilience over tragedy and disaster." -Michiko Kakutani,The New York Times "An absolute classic. . . . Compelling, important, and vital to the understanding of the politics and emotional consequences of oppression." -Jonathan Durbin,People "A sweet and sometimes very funny story of one boyrs"s coming of age. . . . Strange, beautiful and unforgettable." -John Freeman,San Francisco Chronicle, â[An] Astonishing story & of immerse power, emotion and even, in the midst of horror, beauty.â -Salman Rushdie âTold with humor, humanity, and bottomless compassion for his subject. . . . It is impossible to read this book and not be humbled, enlightened, transformed.â -Khaled Hosseini, author of The Kite Runner âLit by lightning flashes of humor, wisdom and charm. . . . An extraordinary work of witness, and of art.â -Francine Prose, The New York Times Book Review âA moving, frightening, improbably beautiful book.â -Lev Grossman, Time âA testament to the triumph of hope over experience, human resilience over tragedy and disaster.â -Michiko Kakutani, The New York Times "An absolute classic. . . . Compelling, important, and vital to the understanding of the politics and emotional consequences of oppression." -Jonathan Durbin, People âA sweet and sometimes very funny story of one boyâs coming of age. . . . Strange, beautiful and unforgettable.â -John Freeman, San Francisco Chronicle, "[An] Astonishing story ... of immerse power, emotion and even, in the midst of horror, beauty." --Salman Rushdie "Told with humor, humanity, and bottomless compassion for his subject. . . . It is impossible to read this book and not be humbled, enlightened, transformed." --Khaled Hosseini, author of The Kite Runner "Lit by lightning flashes of humor, wisdom and charm. . . . An extraordinary work of witness, and of art." --Francine Prose, The New York Times Book Review "A moving, frightening, improbably beautiful book." --Lev Grossman, Time "A testament to the triumph of hope over experience, human resilience over tragedy and disaster." --Michiko Kakutani, The New York Times "An absolute classic. . . . Compelling, important, and vital to the understanding of the politics and emotional consequences of oppression." --Jonathan Durbin, People "A sweet and sometimes very funny story of one boy's coming of age. . . . Strange, beautiful and unforgettable." --John Freeman, San Francisco Chronicle, "Told with humor, humanity, and bottomless compassion for his subject. . . . It is impossible to read this book and not be humbled, enlightened, transformed." --Khaled Hosseini, author of "The Kite Runner" "Lit by lightening flashes of humor, wisdom and charm. . . . An extraordinary work of witness, and of art." --Francine Prose, "The New York Times Book Review" "A moving, frightening, improbably beautiful book." --Lev Grossman, "Time" "A testament to the triumph of hope over experience, human resilience over tragedy and disaster." --Michiko Kakutani, "The New York Times" "An absolute classic. . . . Compelling, important, and vital to the understanding of the politics and emotional consequences of oppression." --Jonathan Durbin, "People" "A sweet and sometimes very funny story of one boy's coming of age. . . . Strange, beautiful and unforgettable." --John Freeman, "San Francisco Chronicle", New York Times Bestseller A National Book Critics Circle Award Finalist " Told with humor, humanity, and bottomless compassion for his subject. . . . It is impossible to read this book and not be humbled, enlightened, transformed." -- Khaled Hosseini, author of The Kite Runner " Dave Eggers has made the outlines of the tragedy in East Africa . . . not only sharp and clear but indelible. An eloquent testimony to the power of storytelling, What Is the What is an extraordinary work of witness, and of art." -- "The New York Times Book Review" " Eggers' s limpid prose gives Valentino an unaffected, compelling voice and makes his narrative by turns harrowing, funny, bleak and lyrical. The result is a horrific account of the Sudanese tragedy, but also an emblematic saga of modernity- of the search for home and self in a world of unending upheaval." -- "Publishers Weekly" " [What Is the What] sings like a novel- a novel in which every phrase falls with exquisite, revealing precision and the themes of the story play out as satisfyingly as in a large-scale symphony." -- "Seattle Times" " A work of significant strengths, What Is the What is not only a valuable cultural document, it' s also an engaging and often compelling read. Eggers has crafted a novel notable for its writing as well as its historical relevance." -- "The Globe and Mail" " Hands down, Dave Eggers' What Is the What stands as the single most thought-provoking, unusual and moving book I have read all year." -- "USA Today", New York Times Notable Book * NATIONAL BOOK CRITICS CIRCLE AWARD FINALIST "[An] Astonishing story ... of immerse power, emotion and even, in the midst of horror, beauty." --Salman Rushdie "Told with humor, humanity, and bottomless compassion for his subject. . . . It is impossible to read this book and not be humbled, enlightened, transformed." --Khaled Hosseini, author of The Kite Runner "Lit by lightning flashes of humor, wisdom and charm.... An extraordinary work of witness, and of art." --Francine Prose, The New York Times Book Review "A moving, frightening, improbably beautiful book." --Lev Grossman, Time "A testament to the triumph of hope over experience, human resilience over tragedy and disaster." --Michiko Kakutani, The New York Times "An absolute classic.... Compelling, important, and vital to the understanding of the politics and emotional consequences of oppression." --Jonathan Durbin, People "A sweet and sometimes very funny story of one boy's coming of age.... Strange, beautiful and unforgettable." --John Freeman, San Francisco Chronicle