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)

a great read to take you out of your daily life

An amazing performance from the reader and interesting compelling story I suspect that few Americans are familiar.

Courage of Youth

I am humbled by this poignant capture of historic events, and of the life of one Sudanese man.
This book has made me pause and think about people I don’t understand. Now I want to know more stories.

WHAT IS THE WHAT?

As Ronald Reagan famously said, “There you go again”. Dave Eggers writes another book about a tragic human event. However, Eggers avoids character controversy like that which followed “Zeitoun”, a story about the Katrina disaster. Eggers classifies “What Is the What” as a novel, without any claim to source-vetted facts or the integrity of its primary character.

"What Is the What" is about Sudan and its 20th century genocidal history. This is a clarifying story of the complex religious, ethnic, and moral conflict that exists in Sudan and in all nations peopled by extremes of wealth and poverty.

God offers man a choice of cows or something called the "What". God asks, “Do you want the cows or the What?" But, man asks, “What is the What”? God says, “The What is for you to decide.”

The father of the main character of "What is the What" explains that, with cows, a man has something; he learns how to care for something; becomes a good caretaker of a life-sustaining something, but a man who has no cows has nothing, cares about nothing; and only becomes a taker of other’s something.

What is the What? It is more than cows; it is the enlightenment brought from education that combats cultural ignorance, and religious intolerance; i.e. the "What" is that which celebrates freedom and equal opportunity for all.

You won't have buyer's remorse!

I have (unintentionally) read two books from Oprah's Book Club list, and wasn't impressed by either. So instead of jumping on the bandwagon and reading her selection about the Lost Boys of Sudan, read "What is the What" instead!

I didn't know anything about the plight of the Lost Boys before reading this book. Not only did I learn a great deal about them and African culture in general, but it was enjoyable doing it through the eyes of the main character Valentino. The story moves between the present and flashbacks, which made it even more interesting because the author could present Valentino the child's emotions and opinions about the event along with Valentino the adult's without strain. I was overwhelmed by the hardship one boy can endure and overcome. While this book is a fictionalized biography, I assume most of the larger events are true, which made it an even more gripping read. The narrator was also fantastic, and I was truly disappointed when it ended.

The only thing I disliked about this book, however, was the ending. Whether I wanted more finality or something more uplifting, I'm not sure. I just know I wasn't satisfied with the ending. But I'm still giving it 5 stars because it was interesting, engaging, thought-provoking, heartwrenching - everything a great book should be.

In My Top 5 Audible Experiences

The narrator's voice was so warm and his diction so natural that it was the perfect vehicle for the deep humanity expressed in this slightly fictionalized true portrayal of the almost unbelievable challenge to which The Lost Boys of Sudan rose -- children with the courage, stamina and independence of the strongest and bravest men facing the terrors and ravages of war -- told through the voice of one very sympathetic character. The way they emerged from these years of trial and horror with their hearts unscarred, loving one another, hungry for knowledge and full of faith in the future is a reminder of the nobility that inheres in the human soul, a nobility that jaded, modern industrialized nations can only look on in dumb grief at what we have traded in for television sets and debit cards. The paucity of our culture is only too painfully revealed in the details of what the protagonist found in his life once he reached the promised land of America -- anything but balm from Gilead. This is, in my opinion, far and away Dave Eggers' best work, and I am deeply grateful for the way he made this human experience, so vastly different from mine, so intimately, viscerally available to me. I will listen to it again and again and never fail to be deepened by it.

Don't pass this one up!!

I am so glad I listened to this book rather than reading it. The narrator was perfect! I loved how he brought the main character Valentino to life. This book is one of my top three audible.com listens. It's well worth the credit!

Great Read!

I really enjoyed the narration. Opened my heart and made me laugh and cry. Highly recommended!

One of the best audio books yet

To those who look for guidance while thinking that life might have dealt them a rough hand, this book could bring a sober awakening. We all need to be reminded once in a while of, in the words of the main character, the many ways in which we are blessed. And, in case we have met with misfortune beyond healing, of the manner in which others, akin to us, have carried forth with dignity. The hero of this book is so full of life and love, and generosity, that we wish we were given the chance to meet him. But that, of course, is also the voice of the author. The literary text finds in this example its true vocation. To teach humanity, to give hope, to accompany the grieving of so many of the earth's dispossessed. It is writing of monumental consequence, and at the same time accessible, reassuring, generous to all. If biblical means, a text meant to bring hope to the kind, then biblical.

Beautifully told story

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I have already recommended this audiobook to several friends. The narrator had just the right intonation and accent, and made me believe that Valentino was talking to me. Although, of course the subject is grim, the tone is not, and there were many laugh-out-loud moments. It didn't matter to me whether the story was autobiographical or fictional. It simply rings true. My long commute was made shorter by listening to this book.

Very good

I wish the story had covered his first portion of American life. I would love an update. Still, I enjoyed it. I wish everyone would come to know & care about what has & is still is happening in Sudan and South Sudan.