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  • What Is the What

  • Written by: Dave Eggers
  • Narrated by: Dion Graham
  • Length: 20 hrs and 30 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (9 ratings)

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What Is the What

Written by: Dave Eggers
Narrated by: Dion Graham
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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
Biographical Fiction Literary Fiction
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What the critics say

"Engrossing." ( Publishers Weekly)

What listeners say about What Is the What

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Profile Image for jenna

sad beautiful and hopeful

Very inspiring tale of spirit and the capability to overcome insurmountable odds. Well told. Bravo.

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