This book is incredibly good. As well as being a compelling story (it follows the life of one of the Lost Boys of Sudan), it is incredibly well written. I read it over a weekend; I didn’t get anything else done – I simply couldn’t put this book down!

What is the What is the fictionalized autobiography of Valentino Achak Deng, one of the “Lost Boys” of Sudan, who fled from his country during the second Sudanese Civil War and eventually (re)settled in the USA.

I finished reading this book last night, and started again at the first page this morning.

My review of What is the What is as follows: you should read it. Seriously.

(Related: the Valentino Achak Deng Foundation.)

This is moving.

I have been to Kenya. I thought I had seen poverty. I never realized that from a Sudanese perspective, Kenya is a luxurious place in which to take refuge.

I have been to Dachau. I thought I had seen a historical perspective on cruelty. This book hit me harder than the ovens of Dachau.

I don’t think I can be the same.