Staff Picks Blog

I thoroughly enjoying listening to What is the What, a 2006 epic novel narrated by Dion Graham and based on the life of Valentino Achak Deng, a part of the group known as the Lost Boys of Sudan.  Although this is a work of fiction, in the preface Deng writes, "Because many of the passages are fictional, the result is called a novel … And though it is fictionalized, it should be noted that the world I have known is not so different from the one depicted within these pages.  We live in a time when even the most horrific events in this book could occur, and in most cases did occur."  Deng was separated from his family during raids of his village during the civil war in Sudan in the 1980′s.  He survives marathon walks, starvation, wild animals, and rogue soldiers in his escape to refugee camps in Pinyudo, Ethiopia and Kakuma, Kenya.  After thirteen years in refugee camps he wins the right to emigrate to the United States.  Unfortunately Deng finds the American Dream illusive at best, but mostly frustrating and confusing as his struggles with life continue in the United States.  Eggers crafts a story that is sad, happy, humorous, and inspiring.  Despite Deng’s struggles, his faith, sense of hope, and belief in humanity is unwavering.  ~Enjoy~