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)

Survivor

The engaging story told by the author truly defines the meaning of survivor. The harrowing tale of Achak keeps the listener rapt with awe at what he and many others went through and actually survived. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for an inspiring tale of loss and survival.

Powerful!

This important story of heroic Achuk Deng is told by Graham with Oscar winning talent and written by Eggers with Nobel Prize winning skill. The reading is great but Graham's acting ability brings the story home. Should be required reading for all North Americans.

Good read

I think this book is one of those books that everyone should read. Sometimes we forget that in our spoiled American lives there is another reality out there. This book was well written. I also really enjoyed the narration-great voice and personality!

Fantastic account of the reality of Sudan

If you could sum up What Is the What in three words, what would they be?

Gut-wrenching, poignant and powerful!

Have you listened to any of Dion Graham’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This is my first time listening to Dion Graham and I LOVED his delivery!

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It made me laugh AND cry. I was ashamed of the way Americans treated Valentino - and all Sudanese. I laughed at the sweet innocence of the Lost Boys.

Any additional comments?

I listened to this book during the summer as it was a class assignment for all high schoolers at her school. The book was assigned as a demonstration of the "Primacy of Self". I feel it should be a requirement for all students. The amount of pain - both physical and emotional - would surely wear down any American teenager. The young men in this book endured far more challenges than most people endure in a lifetime. Wonderful book!

Awesome story/Amazing Narration

Loved this book. The story was so engaging and seamless in how it went back and forth with present day and past to add layers to the character. Because of our work in a third word country with a marginalized people group, we often see the local problems as well as the well-meaning efforts of peple back home who want to get involved and help, This story very realistically captured all that and more. Highly recommend not only for excellent entertainment but for an eye-opening lesson in other cultures and the unique problems they face.

Perspective

I read this book in college, and I had little context. This time around, the story is so much more meaningful.

riveting

the story made me laugh cry at many points along the way and made me want to seek out the author to know how his story is going now

Loved this book

Placed it on my wish list about a year ago. I seem to enjoy everything Dion Gram narrates. This book kept my attention start to finish. It bring out every emotion. Loved, loved it!

Powerful story.

While it is a long read, the story is compelling. I sheds interesting light on something that really doesn't get the attention it deserves.

The Story Came Alive on Every Page

The heartfelt narration of this book made this excellent story come alive. I laughed and I cried and I was sorry when the book ended and I could no longer be part of Achak’s journey.