One Book One Marin Kickoff For Dave Eggers' Novel, "What Is The What"

"I got here at 6:30p and there was standing room only!"

That's the man standing next to me.  There is a buzz of anticipation in the packed room as literature lovers wait for author Eggers to make an appearance.  People standing in the book aisle crane their necks to look at the small stage.

What Is The What, is the fictionalized account of the epic and dangerous journey of the then 7-year old Valentino Achak Deng and his young companions as they flee the war-torn country of southern Sudan for Kenyan and Ethiopian refugee camps.  The searing story details the harrowing trip through the wilds of Africa while the "lost boys" dodge starvation, wild animals and people out to do them harm. 

Valentino eventually winds up in the U.S.

Author Eggers spent hours talking with Valentino piecing together his journey and story, and from those conversations came the book which was published in 2003.  The compelling novel is the 2009 selection of One Book One Marin- an organization comprised of Marin libraries, Book Passage and Dominican University among others- which encourages all Marin residents to read and discuss one book selection each year.  The book selection is followed by several months of events related to the book.

Talk show host Michael Krasny is onstage lauding the book and the author-

"Dave Eggers is someone who is committed to social change...this is a book that you really deserve."

When Eggers finally comes out, he seems a bit shocked at the size of the crowd-

"Wow, good to see all you guys!"

After he thanks everyone for showing up, he begins to talk about the book and Valentino.  At one point he asks the crowd how many have already read the book and easily over half the hands shoot up.   Eggers said he began to write the book as a journalistic project but then the book 'morphed into a novel.'

Eggers then airs a short movie about the book and a wonderful project that Valentino has been working on since the book was published.  He created a foundation- funded in part by proceeds from What Is The What- called Valentino Achak Deng Foundation, which is building an educational complex back in his hometown of Marial Bai in the Sudan.  The Marial Bai complex, due to be completed in April, will have a secondary school, gym, library and community center.  Before the complex, there were no secondary schools in the region at all.

Then there was a surprise.

Up on the screen where we had just viewed the movie, appeared Valentino himself on a webcamera, calling by Skype webphone all the way from Nairobi where he is currently living with his wife and their newborn baby. 

"I would like to thank the people of Marin for picking my book.  I cannot be proud enough," he said, adding, "I am humbled."

Eggers asked him several questions about how the Marail Bai construction was progressing and other updates.  He assured us construction was progressing and they intended to open the complex in April. Then he opened it up to Q & A from the crowd. 

Eventually Eggers bid Valentino goodbye, and immediately a very long line of people formed to get their copy of the book signed.   As people drifted out into the cool, night air, we were left with a wonderful thought.  Just moments before, Valentino had been asked how he felt about having his book picked by One Book One Marin-

"It means people of Marin are speaking out for those who cannot speak for themselves."

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What Is The What is available for purchase at Book Passage or for free at area libraries.

Here is a list of One Book One Marin events.

For information about the Valentino Achak Deng Foundation, go here.

(photo of Eggers and Valentino in Marial Bai courtesy of ValentinoAchakDeng.org)

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