50 pages • 1 hour read
Dave EggersWhat Is The What
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2006A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
What Is the What by Dave Eggers is a “fictionalized autobiography” about Valentino Achak Deng, a boy displaced during the Second Sudanese War. Fleeing his village after an attack, Deng endures a perilous journey through hostile territories, eventually reaching refugee camps and later emigrating to the United States, where he faces new challenges while reflecting on his past and helping other Sudanese refugees. The book contains descriptions of violence, trauma, and war.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
What Is The What by Dave Eggers is a powerful and deeply moving novel that intricately blends fiction and autobiography. Critics praised its compelling narrative and the poignant portrayal of Sudanese refugee experiences. Some felt the pacing lagged in parts, but overall, the book's emotional depth and narrative strength resonated widely.
Who Should Read What Is The What?
Readers who appreciate literary fiction and memoirs with a focus on social issues and resilience will enjoy What Is the What by Dave Eggers. Fans of The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini and A Long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah will find this gripping tale of a Sudanese refugee's survival and hope particularly compelling.
RecommendedReading Age
18+yearsLexile Level
870LBook Details
Historical Fiction
Modern Classic Fiction
Military / War
History: World