By Dave Eggers. Penguin Books, 2007.Eggers is best-known for his autobiographical memoir, A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius, but this book is startlingly different. It tells the story of Valentino Achak Deng, a young Sudanese refugee, and although it purports to be a novel, Eggers has used as the basis for the story the real-life experiences of Deng and other refugees, known collectively as the ‘Lost Boys’ of Sudan, who, in the 1990s were forced to flee their homes following attacks from hostile Government-backed militias.
Deng’s story is one of great bravery and appalling misfortune. The group of boys he met up with made their way from southern Sudan to Ethiopia looking for sanctuary. They were attacked by lions, crocodiles, and mosquitoes, and suffered thirst and starvation. Safety in Ethopia was short-lived, a massacre ensued, and the boys had to flee again. In Kenya they found a haven in a refugee camp in the wilderness. Deng realised the way out was through education, and made himself essential to the aid-workers running the camp. Grown to a young man, he was offered sponsorship to the USA, but even here there were human predators in wait.
Deng’s story is one of great bravery and appalling misfortune. The group of boys he met up with made their way from southern Sudan to Ethiopia looking for sanctuary. They were attacked by lions, crocodiles, and mosquitoes, and suffered thirst and starvation. Safety in Ethopia was short-lived, a massacre ensued, and the boys had to flee again. In Kenya they found a haven in a refugee camp in the wilderness. Deng realised the way out was through education, and made himself essential to the aid-workers running the camp. Grown to a young man, he was offered sponsorship to the USA, but even here there were human predators in wait.
The author finds a convincing and authentic-sounding voice to tell this moving story. It is a terrific achievement, and one of the best novels I have read in years.
- John
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