What Is The What By Dave Edgars

Read this book. While it was not a bad tome, it lacked a certain oomph that makes a book stand out for me. Also, I noticed some errors and contradictions in the book which is always a no-no for me. Nevertheless, it was an interesting read and I will also recommend it, but not for students as it is not an example of a literary outstanding material and frankly, apart from learing about the Sudanese experience, it is not a shining example of any form of literature (one cannot recommend it on the ground that it is an example of African writing since the author is not African and to be candid, he has even written one or more better books). As for the Shakespear barb, the book does not hold a candle to Shakespear whatsoever.

YES I AM! GBAM!!

It just goes to show the breadth of your knowledge of Shakespear.

I beg to differ. It was not bravery that made them walk, it was FEAR, DESPERATION AND SURVIVAL INSTINCT.


Maybe it did for you, but it did not for me. I already have an appreciation of the experiences of some people who have suffered in war torn countries. I have read many books and stories on the traumas, suffering, genocide, torture and sacrifice in Darfur, Rwanda, Sierra Leone stc even Afghanistan and Iraq. Many are better pieces of literature than 'What is the What'. I have even seen a couple of documentaries on 'The Lost Boys' so don't be surprised that I am not as impressed by the book as you apparently are.

I want to make it clear that I am in no way disparaging the book. I did quite like it. I just was not blown away by it and I do not think that just because someone writes something about another person's bad experience does not elevate the writer/work to the status of genius. This is however my own opinion which I am perfectly entitled to, as you are entitled to yours, which is, you think 'What is the What' is better than the entire works of Shakespeare. So let's agree to disagree.