It's cleverly written, because whilst wallowing in the morbid it still manages to be quite lighthearted . I don't know how .
Disadvantages:
You do have to read about death at the beginning, sorry .
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
I came across this fantastic book when the Guardian printed extracts in it's weekend pull out section. It was a couple of months before the book was to come out in this country. I eagerly awaited it's release; at the price of £14.99, it's more than I would normally consider spending on a book. Preferring to buy 2nd hand books from local charity shops, or for those books I feel won't turn up there, borrow from a friend or buy if under a tenner. But the extracts and the little I'd heard about Dave Eggers autobiography, had me in the shop on it's day of release.
Dave Eggers was 21 when both his mother and father died, both within a space of a few weeks, due to cancer. His mother had had cancer for a long time, (a drawn out affair). His father was more of a shock, because whilst they knew something was wrong, nothing was ever said. And then he died, before his mother. With an older sister and brother (Beth and Bill) living away from home, studying and working, it became Davids responsibility to bring up their younger brother Christopher. He was only 8 years old at the time.
The title of the book is a little tongue in cheek. But this stories beginning is heartbreaking. The deaths of the parents are written, interspersed with stories of what life was like a few months later. It takes quite a few chapters to get the whole story and piece it together. His description of his mother's insides being riddled with cancer will stay with me for a very long time. And yet this book, though in parts morbid and moving, is funny, is light-hearted, and above all "youthful".
Eggers was young himself, naive even, at 21. Bringing up a child, when but a child himself. He manages to bring up Toph (his name throughout) in a fun environment, of playing games and going to the beach. Conscious all the while of how things/situations might effect Toph, just like any parent would. As neither could cook, they live rather unhealthily. And since Toph didn't like vegetables, he doesn't see the point in making him eat them.
The second half of the book concentrates more on how he (David) trys to juggle having a life, whilst letting Toph grow up like a child should. David wants wild parties and sex, but can't do these in front of Toph.
I heartily recommend buying (or borrowing) this book. It's fantastically written. Eggers has written for several underground New York magazines, most of which he helped set up. Though I should warn you Eggars has quite an ego. He tried to apply for MTV's Real World. The Forward and Authors notes are long, and it's some 39 pages before the actual autobiography starts. (You must read them though, if only for the picture of the stapler).
Love him or loathe him by the end of this book, you'll find yourself surprised by how much you've enjoyed reading their story.
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died within five months of one another of unrelated cancers. In the ensuing sibling division of labour, Dave is appointed unofficial guardianof his eight-year-ol...
Picador - Dave Eggers
At the age of 22, Dave Eggers became both an orphan and a "single mother" when his parents
... more
died within five months of one another of unrelated cancers. In the ensuing sibling division of labour, Dave is appointed unofficial guardian of his eight-year-o...
