What is the What
Eggers, DavidThe heartrending story of Valentino Achak Deng who was chased from his village in southern Sudan by rebel invaders when he was six years old. He, along with thousands of other boys, made the dangerous and painful journey walking across Sudan into Ethiopia where he spent a decade in refugee camps. He was eventually resettled in the United States where as a 41 year old, he narrates his story. [Small font]
Comments from Groups
High scoring read, despite length and harrowing detail. Dispassionate, almost childlike storytelling entranced us. Almost too informative but all agreed a story that needed to be heard. Auckland 063 Interesting and well worth reading. Some members didn't enjoy it..... googled further information - very interesting, thought provoking, very hard, sad life. Raumati Beach 003 Hard going and rather long, but worthwhile. Good discussion about the book, refugees and immigration. Wellington 016 Those who read it were deeply moved by the story and really enjoyed it. ... Picton 002
Pages
475
475
Year
2006
2006
Reviews
24-01-2024
As always, we had mixed reviews about this book. Two members loved it and couldn't put it down, one loathed it ( she thought the writing was 'pedestrian'), and the rest were ambivalent but interested in the Lost Boys and Sudan. We've started following our discussions with clips on YouTube that are related to the book. For 'What is the What', we watched current news clips about the ongoing crisis in South Sudan. We're finding this really adds to the discussion and everyone's enjoyment of the book and the night.
24-01-2024
Most people loved it.
24-01-2024
The book was long and repetitive which became very confusing. However reading this book has encouraged members to re inform themselves about Sudan, and the conflicts there. Generated a great deal of discussion.
24-01-2024
No-one managed to read this. In the end it was too long, print was too small, and it was too depressing!!
24-01-2024
All enjoyed it, taking their time to read it carefully. Strongly recommended.
24-01-2024
A lot of the group didn't finish the book - found it quite "bleak".
24-01-2024
The book was quite a "heavy read".
24-01-2024
Great discussion generated on the Sudanese population and African history.
24-01-2024
Quite a few didn't finish reading the book. Several found it too "depressing", and one didn't have time. Two of the group read to the end and enjoyed it, if that's the right word. Perhaps a challenging read in that it was a tragic read of man's inhumanity to man. We hadn't appreciated the plight of the Sudanese and it gave us pause to reflect.