what did you think of A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius by Dave Eggers?

Question

I read it. What's the big deal? Wasn't as impressive as the critics made it out to be.

Answer 1

Dave Eggers has been hailed by the critics because of the unique forms of narrative and other creative ways he uses to tell his stories. I personally enjoyed the book, though it did take me awhile to get into it. There are parts that are laugh out loud funny, and parts that are heartbreaking. Along with Jonathan Safran Foer, who wrote "Everything is Illuminated" and "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close," I believe I have found the two most promising new authors that write incredibly creative books that entertain and make you think. Give Dave Eggers another shot, even if only for a minute. Read one of his Short, Short Stories, that you can find in a small book by Penguin Classics for about two bucks, or in a collection published as: How We Are Hungry. Or, if you want the really irrelevant, try "Giraffes? Giraffes!" a book about how Giraffes came down from outer space, an amazing laugh. www.mcsweeneys.net for all of these, it's worth a try!

Answer 2

Great title, Read it, wasn't impressed either. Long, impenetrable, tedious.Try some of the McSweeny's collections, he's a better editor than a writer - I do appreciate his work, but the book wasn't his best.

Answer 3

Good read. Likes to think out loud a lot. You Shall Know Our Velocity was better. Thought it flowed better. Heartbreaking Work was tedious in parts.

Answer 4

Yeah -- it was OK, entertaining and somewhat memorable -- but I ended up thinking the author was quite annoying...

Answer 5

At least you read. Thank you. Try Middlesex instead.

Answer 6

I was disappointed too. I liked the title though. :)

Answer 7

didn't do it for me either