A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius

By: Dave Eggers

Narrated by: Dion Graham

Dave Eggers scored a worldwide phenomenon with this memoir that topped national best-seller lists and has since become a staple for summer reading and book clubs. A compelling voice for Generation X, Eggers hererecounts his early 20s, caring for his younger brother after their parents’ unexpected deaths and his endeavors in a variety of media.

©2000 David K. Eggers (P)2010 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic reviews

“Not just for the MTV-fan age group, this is a very entertaining, well-written book.” ( Booklist)

Unique

I’d like to think the author helped to select the narrator of this book. Pitch perfect to the material . Love this book! Read The Circle first snd loved that too. Guess I’m an Eggers fan. Thanks for the giggles and insights. I’ll read this one again and look for what else you have on offer. I’m glad you are young. You have time for more wonders to create. Get on with it!

Great advice but...

It's for a younger audience. This seems to be aimed more at folks under 20. Good stuff for them, though.

Heartbreaking Indeed

While the writer's sneering representation of Gen-X values and his obvious self-loathing make this book a difficult experience, they're also what set this memoir apart from autobiographical works of self-congratulation. Observing the author's furious, paranoid grasping for solid ground broke my heart, both for the narrator, laboring under a responsibility he's unprepared for, and for his brother, whose childhood is marked by loss and instability. The book made me remember what being 20-something was like. The reader's impassioned delivery is exactly what the author's voice called for.

Brilliant

This is my second book by this author and I loved both. So assured of his talent, I have already purchased two more. I'm also glad he chose Dion to narrate as he is a favorite of mine. This incredible story is all the more astounding in that it is true. Thanks, Dave, for being a fine human being.!

A wonderful listen

A fun and incredibly thought provoking adventure through the life and trials of Dave. Such an enjoyable memoir to listen to.

Bridge Between Stream of Consciousness & PoMo Lit

You can't write a book like this without JD Salinger. You also can't get the genius of George Saunders without this work. So as a bridge connecting Tenth of December to The Catcher in the Rye, I am very grateful for its existence. As for its own merit, it was honest and rambly and self-pitying and desperate and depressing and irritating -- with what ended up to be very little heart. Or at least it didn't translate into heart for me. Being disgruntled with life and the lemon-throwing machine it can be only transcends it if the characters can overcome and grow from how they handle the challenges.

Hard to listen to, gave me anxiety

Continued waiting for some character development to happen in this book, but it never came. Disappointed after listening to the whole story.

Toxic. Nauseating. Absolutely amazing.

An incredible work of staggering self-centerdness by a genius who knows it. Not a joyful read. But a great one.

Self Absorbed Pablum

I am a little surprised to see so many glowing reviews. This is supposed to be the story of a young adult who takes on the care of his younger brother — only the brother seems one dimensional and a distraction from the real storyline which appears to be the author’s inability to understand why he isn’t the center of everyone’s universe. He’s suffered, after all. He’s totally aware of his attempt to emotionally manipulate society at large and is either mocking himself or mocking everyone else about it.

This is one of those book club selections that I had to force myself to finish

couldn't get into it

some of it was funny. some of it was upsetting. I just couldn't get into it