"What is the What: The Autobiography of Valentino Achak Deng" is a cross between a novel and a biography. Its origin is a series of interviews that during several years author Dave Eggers had with Valentino Achak Deng, one of the many "lost boys" of Sudan.
Valentino survived the massacre of his people in Marial Bai to walk hundred of kilometers and ask for refuge first in Ethiopia and later in Kenya, where he lived many years with thousands of other refugees like himself. He was later one of the fortunate few that was able to emigrate to the United States.
While the book is a novel, it is entirely based in real events, and it even feels more real than if it was the actual biography of Valentino.
Valentino speaks to us from the pages of the book and it is impossible not to feel moved by his story.
Not only were brutal the things he lived in Africa, but he also has to endure the indifference and ignorance of the people in his new American land.
The story is interesting, moving, and sometimes even funny and it also gives a background of the conflict that is happening in Sudan. It’s very well told and we really feel that we are hearing the voice of Valentino.
In addition to his own experiences, through him we learn of so many others that didn’t make it and whose stories also deserve to be told.
It is impossible not to feel connected with this tale and with this person.
It’s also incredible that these people were able to survive so much brutality and that the human being is capable of so much cruelty. Unfortunately history keeps repeating over and over again without an end in sight.
This book is also available in an unabridged audio book edition read by actor Dion Graham. There is also available a Spanish version titled "Que es el Que".
I wish these stories served as a wake up call so these senseless tragedies could end.
For more information and to know the real Valentino Achak Deng, this is his page:
http://www.valentinoachakdeng.org/

 
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