What Is the What

By: Dave Eggers

Narrated by: Dion Graham

Length: 20 hrs and 30 mins

Publisher's summary

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The epic novel based on the life of Valentino Achak Deng who, along with thousands of other children —the so-called Lost Boys—was forced to leave his village in Sudan at the age of seven and trek hundreds of miles by foot, pursued by militias, government bombers, and wild animals, crossing the deserts of three countries to find freedom.

When he finally is resettled in the United States, he finds a life full of promise, but also heartache and myriad new challenges. Moving, suspenseful, and unexpectedly funny, What Is the What is an astonishing novel that illuminates the lives of millions through one extraordinary man.

“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.” —People

©2006 Dave Eggers (P)2007 BBC Audiobooks America

Critic reviews

"Engrossing." ( Publishers Weekly)

What?

A lot of great moments... just too long. Excellent reading by Dion Graham I must say. The authenticity of the various African accents was amazing and they lifted the various stories told by Akhbar to higher heights than if read alone. Very impressive, but just too long. Maybe I could have finished it quicker had I read it. Listening took weeks. The writing at times went every where but loose(in the middle) but the beginning and ending were riveting.

SPOILER:
One problem I had was that the apartment break-in and the continuation of his life thereafter were never clearly resolved for me; you just don't write a book of this length, with all of its twisting subplots and storylines, and not resolve the premise you start with... I'm not saying it wasn't a good ride. I think it was unnecessarily long and too quickly wrapped up to be truly satisfying for this reader.

There's a lot to be said for reading the first 10 pages of any book or listening to the first 10 minutes of an audiobook. If it doesn't ring true to you by then, it's not for you.

This rang true, but then left me hanging for a long time (as though there were two writers) and then came back for the big wrap up.

Incredible journey, powerfully told

This is the most incredible book I have ever listened to. Powerfully moving, told with grace and charm... I am grateful for having accompanied Valentino Achak Deng through his journey, blessed to know his story.

Narrator Dion Graham was outstanding: The voices he gave to the various characters in this brilliant performance added tremendous color and texture, and the emotion he injected into the book's narrator's own voice truly conveyed Valentino's heart and soul.

Though I have discovered this novel as an adult, I think this should be required reading -- or listening -- for every American middle school or high school student. Sure, those years are challenging. But they are nothing compared to an escape from war-torn Sudan...

The most touching story I have yet to read

I was immersed in the story from the moment the narrator spoke. I had heard of the Lost Boys, but had no idea of the horrible conditions they endured, or for how long it lasted for some and is still continuing for so many. It makes me grateful for my life and that I live in America which, so far, continues to be a free country.

Grateful

I lost count of how many times What Is the What made me wipe my eyes. I cried out of sadness and despair, and for joy. I haven't had a book make me cry since I was a child.

And, honestly, What Is the What made me grateful to be cleaning my house (which is when I listen to books). So grateful to have a house to clean! Thanks!

Finding Grace within the most horrific of circumstances

This novel, this story, will reside with me forever. During the journey of the Lost Boys, 1987-2005, I had had such a deep empathy, but not a true understanding of what really happened. The pain, the suffering, the incredible light on the horizon, the beauty of the colors, revealed themselves, a glimpse for the reader to touch but not quite grasp the truth. I should have written this review after I had time to ponder, reread. An incredible, painful read, with hope, and so much gratitude. I will forever wonder on the rest of the story.

Excellent Book!

This was a well written book about a terribly sad story that the author was able to infuse with horror, and plenty of unexpected humor. it made me want to know more him and find out the stories of all the other 'lost boys' along with the fate of them all

Will listen again and again!

Loved Dion Graham’s narration! I have mixed feelings about Eggers, but this story was told wonderfully! Highly recommend.

Epic amazing telling of an incredible, harrowing, unlikely journey.

“…..As impossible as you pretending that I do not exist.”

What is the what?

Is it ignoring humanity, peoples, and their plights? ? Is it power, callousness, evil ??

You want the cow, or what?? We got the cow, they got the what. Who are they and what is the what?

Gutwrenching, poetic, beautiful

I've been grabbing every Eggers book I can get my hands on since I came across "A Heartbreaking Work...." This displays Eggers story telling ability on a grand, not-so-self-absorbed level. I was inspired. And the reading is one of the best readings I've ever listened to, Dion Graham really brought the story of Atchuk Deng to life.

an amzing jouney

This is so well written and the narrator is fabulous. African accented English makes it all believable. If you want background on the problems of Sudan, this is the book for you.