What is the What, by Dave Eggers
What is the What is a powerful novel that blurs the line between fiction and reality, offering a harrowing yet ultimately hopeful account of one man's journey from war-torn Sudan to the United States. Based on the life of Valentino Achak Deng, this "fictionalized autobiography" penned by Dave Eggers captures the voice and experiences of a Sudanese child refugee with raw authenticity. A finalist for the National Book Award, this work brings to light the often-overlooked stories of the "Lost Boys of Sudan."
At the tender age of seven, Deng's world is shattered when he's violently separated from his family during the Second Sudanese Civil War. Thrust into the ranks of the "Lost Boys," he embarks on a perilous trek across hundreds of miles of hostile terrain. Eggers vividly portrays the constant threats Deng faces—from bombers overhead and militias on the ground to lions and crocodiles in the wilderness.
The narrative alternates between Deng's past in Africa and his present in Atlanta, Georgia, creating a powerful contrast between his two worlds. In one particularly poignant scene, Deng reflects on the irony of facing a home invasion in supposedly safe America, drawing parallels to the violence he fled in Sudan.
Eggers confronts the harsh realities of refugee life head-on, sparing no detail. He describes in heartbreaking clarity the conditions in the Ethiopian camp where Deng first finds refuge, only to be forced to flee again when war spills over the border. The Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya, where Deng spends his adolescence, comes alive through descriptions of its oppressive heat, meager rations, and the small moments of joy found in impromptu soccer matches.
Eggers' decision to write in Deng's voice lends an intimate quality to the narrative, allowing readers to connect deeply with Deng's struggles and triumphs. From learning to use a microwave to navigating the complexities of American social norms, Deng's experiences as an immigrant are both humorous and touching. Eggers and Deng have created a work that is both a compelling read and a vital chronicle of one of the most significant humanitarian crises of our time.
“Whatever I do, however I find a way to live, I will tell these stories. I have spoken to every person I have encountered these last difficult days...I speak to these people, and I speak to you because I cannot help it. It gives me strength, almost unbelievable strength, to know that you are there. I covet your eyes, your ears, the collapsible space between us. How blessed are we to have each other? I am alive and you are alive and so we must fill the air with our words. I will fill today, tomorrow, every day until I am taken back to God. I will tell stories to people who will listen and to people who don’t want to listen, to people who seek me out and to those who run. All the while I will know that you are there. How can I pretend that you do not exist? It would be almost as impossible as you pretending that I do not exist.’”
Interesting Facts & Links:
Learn more about the horrible story of the Lost Boys of Sudan at the website for the International Rescue Committee.
The book is classified as a "fictional autobiography" - while based on the true story of Valentino Achak Deng, a Sudanese refugee, Eggers and Deng decided to present it as a novel to allow for literary techniques that could better convey the emotional truth of Deng's experiences.
The title "What Is the What" comes from a creation myth of the Dinka people. In the story, God offers the first man a choice between keeping cattle or possessing "the What." The man chooses cattle, but is left wondering what "the What" could have been.
Eggers spent several years interviewing Deng and researching Sudan's history to write the book. He traveled to Sudan and visited Deng's home village to gain firsthand insight into the setting and culture. Despite being marketed as a novel, the book has been used in many schools and universities as a text for teaching about the Sudanese civil war and the experiences of refugees.
The Valentino Achak Deng Foundation is a nonprofit organization created by Valentino Deng and Dave Eggers that creates community-driven development projects in South Sudan. The foundation's first major project was the construction and operation of an 18-structure educational complex in Valentino's hometown of Marial Bai. The Marial Bai Secondary School (MBSS) has increased access to excellent secondary education, trained teachers, created equal opportunities for girls, and promoted literacy for children and adults in the region. MBSS is the highest ranking South Sudanese secondary school that is free for students to attend, a true leader in the movement to educate the new nation of South Sudan. Please visit their website and consider becoming a contributor for this great cause.
This book is one of our top recommendations for travel fiction. Click here to see our other recommendations on travel novels.
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