Valentino Achak Deng, the subject of Dave Eggers’ acclaimed novel “What Is the What,” visits Schwartz Bookshop on Downer on Saturday, Jan. 13 at 7 p.m. and the shop has now announced that Eggers himself will also be on hand at the event. This despite the fact that the event press release original declared that Eggers would not appear.
In addition to the being the author of books like “A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius,” Eggers is also the creator of McSweeney’s, a quirky and experimental literary journal and publishing house.
“What Is the What” is the fictionalized version of the story of Deng, from Sudan, who arrived in America from a refugee camp in Kenya. He met Eggers in 2003 and the two traveled together to Africa to help Eggers write the book.
Admission is free for the event at which Deng will read from and sign copies of “What is the What.” Profits from the sale of the book benefit the Valentino Achak Deng Foundation, which assists Sudanese refugees in America and funds rebuilding southern Sudan, organizations working for peace and humanitarian relief in Darfur, and to Deng’s college education.
