What is the What by Dave Eggers - Book Club Discussion Questions

What is the What is a novel written by Dave Eggers and drawn from the real-life story of Valentino Achak Deng, one of the Lost Boys of Sudan. The title comes from a local story about the reward of choosing what’s known over what’s unknown. As they flee the destruction around them, though, the Lost Boys are constantly forced to choose the unknown future of refugee camps and life in America. Use these book club discussion questions to lead your group into What is the What.

Spoiler Warning: These book club discussion questions reveal important details about What is the What by Dave Eggers. Finish the book before reading on.

1. Why do you think Valentino/Dominic/Achak had so many names?

2. Why do you think Valentino directs his story towards Michael, Julian, and the clients of the gym?

3. Which one of Valentino’s friends did you like or remember the most?

4. Did you know the plight of the Lost Boys before you read this book? Did it change what you thought about the situation?

5. What details from What is the What impacted you the most?

6. Rate What is the What on a scale of 1 to 5.