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"What Is the What" is a novel by Dave Eggers that tells the story of Valentino Achak Deng, a Sudanese refugee who is forced to flee his village after it is attacked by government forces during the Second Sudanese Civil War. The book is based on Deng's real-life experiences, and it explores themes such as displacement, trauma, and the power of storytelling.One of the most striking aspects of the novel is the way that Eggers blends fact and fiction to create a narrative that is both gripping and emotionally resonant. Through Deng's first-person narration, the reader is given a vivid and intimate portrait of life in Southern Sudan before, during, and after the war. Eggers's prose is spare and direct, but he has a gift for capturing the small details of everyday life that bring his characters to life.At the heart of the novel is the idea that storytelling can be a powerful tool for survival and healing. Deng, who is forced to flee his village at a young age, is constantly searching for a way to make sense of his experiences and to share them with others. As he makes his way across Sudan, Ethiopia, and Kenya, he becomes a master storyteller, weaving together fact and fiction to create a narrative that is both true and meaningful. His ability to tell stories becomes a source of comfort and inspiration to the other refugees he meets along the way, as well as a way for him to come to terms with his own trauma.Another theme that runs throughout the novel is the idea of displacement and the search for home. Deng, like many of the other refugees he meets, is constantly on the move, never able to settle down in one place for long. He longs for the security and stability of his old life in Sudan, but he knows that he can never go back. As he travels from one refugee camp to another, he becomes increasingly aware of the fragility of human existence and the importance of community in times of crisis.One of the most powerful scenes in the novel comes near the end, when Deng is finally resettled in the United States. Despite his initial excitement at the prospect of starting a new life in America, he soon realizes that he is still haunted by the memories of his past. He struggles to make sense of his new surroundings, and he feels a deep sense of alienation from the people around him. Even as he begins to build a new life for himself, he is forced to confront the fact that he can never truly leave his past behind.Overall, "What Is the What" is a powerful and deeply moving novel that explores the complexities of human experience in times of crisis. Through Deng's story, Eggers offers a profound meditation on the nature of trauma, displacement, and the power of storytelling to heal the wounds of the past. It is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is still hope for a better future.