From the Bookshelf of Read Between the Wines…

Zeitoun

Dave Eggers

Start date: November 1, 2014

Finish date: November 30, 2014

Discussion: Book Club Discussions

Why we're reading this: This book was nominated by Keryn.
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What Members Thought

Oct 29, 2014 Gary the Bookworm rated it it was ok

Shelves: for-wine-club

I am not a fan of Dave Eggers. A Hologram for the King was the first novel I read by him and I found it dull and unconvincing. Then Zeitoun was chosen by my goodreads group, Read Between the Wines, as its nonfiction selection for November. I downed a bottle, or two, and staggered on board, thinking I'd give Eggers another chance with something that was based on truth. As my buzz diminished, I found myself swept back in time to that dreadful weekend in August, 2005 when the world watched in horr I am not a fan of Dave Eggers. A Hologram for the King was the first novel I read by him and I found it dull and unconvincing. Then Zeitoun was chosen by my goodreads group, Read Between the Wines, as its nonfiction selection for November. I downed a bottle, or two, and staggered on board, thinking I'd give Eggers another chance with something that was based on truth. As my buzz diminished, I found myself swept back in time to that dreadful weekend in August, 2005 when the world watched in horror as New Orleans drowned, not once, but twice: first from the torrential rains of Katrina, then from the stunning ineptitude of FEMA, the federal emergency management agency. Meeting the Zeitoun family, sharing in their daily activities, caring about them as individuals and as symbols for struggling Muslims in post-9/11 America, made me re-evaluate my misgivings about Eggers and I fell hook, line and sinker for this harrowing and heroic tale of courage, community and kinship.

I felt as though I was drowing myself as the family reluctantly separated on the day before the hurricane hit. I was reassured as the evacuees landed safely in nearby Baton Rouge and fascinated as Zeitoun struggled with the exigencies of surviving the storm and its horrific aftermath. When he took to his canoe, to explore his ravaged city and to give assistance to his neighbors, I marveled at his composure and his competence. After his heartbreaking betrayal by FEMA, I was outraged and appalled. I silently applauded Eggers for his masterful storytelling, and as I wiped away my tears, I reactivated my long dormant pleasure of bashing George W. Bush for his long reign of error. I felt reassured that Zeitoun and his family had survived the worst and were once again thriving in a rebuilt New Orleans with their strong kindred bonds to sustain them. Then I googled Zeitoun. I advise you to do the same before you succumb to the charms of a snake oil salesman named Eggers. My only solace is that I can go back to hating him.

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Oct 16, 2014 Keryn rated it really liked it

Shelves: human-drama, non-fiction, historical-usa

An unexpectedly satisfying read, I am once again so grateful to be part of a goodreads bookclub as I would not have chosen this myself if I saw it on the shelf. Reason? I am put off my the cover, the theme ('natural disaster aftermath' to put it crudely) and a few other aspects. I do believe the start was slow but created context and characterization, then the pace picked up and i could not pull myself away. Two things strike me (though the book has many learnings for me): the concept of the sil ...more

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