"What is the What" book review

Lincoln Dutcher

What is the What

What is the What is a non-fiction novel about the life of a Sudanese boy who's name is Achak. The book starts with Achak in his apartment in Atlanta. he hears a knock at the door so he answers it. He sees before him a big burly african woman. She asks is she can use his telephone. He obliges. She burst in and locks herself in the bed room. she is followed into the door by a large man in a powder blue shirt.

This is just the beginning of one of the hardest nights in Achak's life. these people go on to beat and rob him. Now this book would be pretty dull if it was just him talking in real time about how he was robbed. He says that he is a Sudanese refugee, he says so early in the book. Therefore by hearing this you have questions like "How did he get here?", "What was the trip like?" Thankfully for the reader this is explained. the story is told through his eyes. The entire plot takes place over he course of a few days starting when he was robbed and ending a few days later.

Achak's past is told through a series of vivid flash backs. One of his first flash baks is of his perfect day. However that quickly devolves into how his entire village was annihilated by the Sudan government. it vividly describes every gory detail. After this attack he was forced to travel hundreds of miles with hundreds of other "lost boys" as they came to be known. Most of his flash backs are extremely depressing. However, these flash backs are more accurate than the sugar coated versions that people usually hear

The writing style for What is the What is all first person. The characters in he book are all very realistic, and relatable. One character named Deng, in all of his organization and leadership ability, reminds me of my father. Achak's best friend, William K., reminds me of my best friend in the way that we are practically inseparable. This book also gives the reader a valuable insight into the human psychology. This story is 100% true. There are many accounts of lost boys Losing their minds. One boy actually curled up in a hole and died. simply out of his own accord. 

In summary, I think that this book is incredibly depressing. Comparable to The Grapes of Wrath . If you are able to endure the everlasting sadness in this book you will notice that through out all of these horrible events, Achak remained resolute. I thought that the ending was very satisfying. A very poetic way to wrap up and encapsulate everything that transpired in the book