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)

First Rate Writing and Narration

Dion Graham's narration is always perfection. Nevertheless, the listener will have to adjust to a very long book narrated with a strong, but authentic, accent.
This book is what I consider a volume of naturally-gifted writing. Eggers expertly combined fact with fiction to present what sounds like a true firsthand account. Well done!

A riveting tale

Both the author and the narrator create an excellent and authentic picture of the southern Sudan and its tragic undoing. I lived in Juba during part of the period covered, and I read (listened to) the book to fill in and explain historical events. I was not disappointed. The tale is riveting and devastating and filled with pathos. It is beautifully read and recalls the voice of so many southern Sudanese friends.

Experience the Experience

I really enjoyed listening to this book about a Sudanese refugee who experienced the Sudanese civil wars, where the author provides a horrific account of the brutal tragedies. This is a semi biographical story, but it reads as though every part of it is real. The main character, Valentino Achak Deng, at age 8, is exiled from his village in southern Sudan and eventually joins thousands of other Lost Boys who were also exiled from their villages. They walk forever in their quest to reach a place that would be permanent. It is the first time that I have read an accurate account of what a refugee camp is like. I read about one in "Infidel" but it was for only a period of a couple days. Valentino was in the temporary Ethiopian refugee camp for 10 years, after which he does end up in Atlanta, Georgia and that is another story. If you listen to this book by audio, you will not be disappointed. It is excellent.

A truly Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius

Totally crestfallen that this book is finished and (hopefully) empowered that my role in it has begun

Excellent Novel

What did you love best about What Is the What?

It gives the reader a look into real life incidents through the work of a novel.

What was one of the most memorable moments of What Is the What?

There are so many, many sad moments but some hopeful for our main character. It would be too hard to narrow it down to one particular moment though.

What does Dion Graham bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The author worked with the man who actually experienced much of what was told about in the book. We received a look into the mans soul.

Who was the most memorable character of What Is the What and why?

The main character and his best friend are most notable.

Excellent all round

What is the What is an epic story of one man's, and representing many others', story of escape from troubled Sudan. It is a sad, funny, amazing, poignant telling of the story of the List Boys. It is an education and a gift.

The narrator was excellent, as well, adding much to the feeling of being there, of journeying along with Valentino.

Eye opener, great inspiration

If you have the chance to read this book, I highly recommend it. (14 years old, boy)

An epic account of the struggles and fortitude of the South Sudanese.

Having worked and lived in South Sudan in recent years, I found this to be a historically accurate and politically unbiased, heart wrenching and uplifting novel which had me wiping tears and laughing out loud with every chapter. Superbly narrated. Definitely one of my top ten.

EGGERS AT HIS BEST

Now having a longer commute to work, I am "revisiting" some of my favorite novels in audio form. What Is The What is even better the second time with Dion Graham's lovely narration. Valentino's epic childhood through young adulthood is brought to life in a poignant and understated manner. While the subject matter is heartbreakingly sad, there are moments of light and humor.

As one who grew up and still lives in middle-class America, this novel helps to put things in perspective. I have renewed appreciation for all that I have and an abundance of love and empathy for those whose struggle seems insurmountable.

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.