What Is the What
by Dave Eggers
What Is the What by Dave Eggers holds a highly rated rating of 4.16 out of 5, based on 59.3K reader ratings. First published in 2006. The book spans 475 pages.
About What Is the What
From the bestselling author of A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius, What Is the What is the epic novel based on the life of Valentino Achak Deng who, along with thousands of other children —the so-called Lost Boys—was forced to leave his village in Sudan at the age of seven and trek hundreds of miles by foot, pursued by militias, government bombers, and wild animals, crossing the deserts of three countries to find freedom. When he finally is resettled in the United States, he finds a life full of promise, but also heartache and myriad new challenges. Moving, suspenseful, and unexpectedly funny, What Is the What is an astonishing novel that illuminates the lives of millions through one extraordinary man.-back cover
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Author | Dave Eggers |
| Published | 2006 |
| Pages | 475 |
| Genres | Fiction, Historical Fiction, Fiction |
| Average Rating | 4.16 / 5.00 |
| Total Ratings | 59,333 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What genre is What Is the What?
What Is the What is categorized as Fiction, Historical Fiction, Fiction. Its primary genre classification is Historical Fiction.
Is What Is the What worth reading?
Based on 59.3K reader ratings, What Is the What has an average score of 4.16 out of 5.00, which is considered "Highly Rated." Its large number of reviews suggests broad reader appeal.
How many pages is What Is the What?
What Is the What has 475 pages.
Who wrote What Is the What?
What Is the What was written by Dave Eggers. It was first published in 2006.
What is the ISBN for What Is the What?
The ISBN-13 for What Is the What is 9781932416640.0.
Data sourced from community book ratings and reviews. Last updated: April 15, 2026
