What Is the What: The Autobiography of Valentino Achak Deng; A Novel

Written by:
Dave Eggers
Narrated by:
Dion Graham

Unabridged Audiobook

Ratings
Book
32
Narrator
2
Release Date
March 2013
Duration
20 hours 29 minutes
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
Reviews
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Anonymous

Dion Graham does a terrific job. His voice conveys such joy and hope despite his character's significant struggles. I was a wonderful experience listening to this well-written and beautifully read book.

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Peggy Stortz

This story of a Sudan refugee is riveting. Eggers is a superb author and the reader could not be better. It will keep you on the edge of your car seat!

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MLE

The story is stunning, of course; how people survive things like this with their spirits intact amazes me. But most of all, I want to praise the reader, who manages several accents fluently & reads with such inflection that one could forget he was reading.

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Dr. X

I give this book five stars because it presents the horror of the events it describes in a personal fashion. It is a rich reflection of humanity and inhumanity. For example; is the execution in Sudan more inhuman than the United States emergency room that ignored the mugging victim? This fictional account is a primer on the war in Sudan and the plight of refugees, not only in Sudan but in any of the camps that go on from year to year. It can open the eyes to the issues faced by refugees who have come to the United States. As a Christian clergy I am pleased with the way faith is included in the story, from unbelief, from religious relief organizations and refugee settlement, from baptism, to a simple confession of trust in God. This touch of religion is lightly done, and rightly done. This light touch includes Christianity and Islam. The lions and crocodiles are more sensational than religion. I enjoyed the narration, the voices, the inflection.

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