A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius

Dave Eggers

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"This is a beautifully ragged, laugh-out-loud funny and utterly unforgettable book." —San Francisco Chronicle

National Bestseller 
Pulitzer Prize Finalist


A book that redefines both family and narrative for the twenty-first century. A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius is the moving memoir of a college senior who, in the space of five weeks, loses both of his parents to cancer and inherits his eight-year-old brother. Here is an exhilarating debut that manages to be simultaneously hilarious and wildly inventive as well as a deeply heartfelt story of the love that holds a family together.

A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius is an instant classic that will be read for decades to come.

What will you learn from this book

  1. Tragic Loss: Eggers recounts the tragic loss of both of his parents to cancer within a short span of time, leaving him and his siblings orphaned and thrust into the responsibilities of adulthood at a young age.

  2. Navigating Adulthood: At the age of 21, Eggers becomes the guardian of his younger brother, Toph, and must navigate the challenges of parenthood while still grappling with his own transition to adulthood.

  3. Satirical Tone: The memoir is characterized by its satirical tone and self-awareness, with Eggers often breaking the fourth wall to comment on the absurdity of his own narrative.

  4. Exploration of Grief: Eggers grapples with the profound grief of losing his parents, exploring how their deaths shape his identity and worldview.

  5. Metafictional Elements: The memoir incorporates metafictional elements, blurring the lines between reality and fiction as Eggers reflects on the nature of storytelling and the construction of identity.

  6. Examination of Family Dynamics: Eggers delves into the complexities of family dynamics, exploring the bonds between siblings and the ways in which their shared loss both unites and strains their relationship.

  7. Quest for Meaning: Throughout the memoir, Eggers embarks on a quest for meaning and purpose in the wake of his parents' deaths, grappling with existential questions about mortality and the human condition.

  8. Critique of Media Culture: Eggers critiques the pervasive influence of media culture and the commodification of tragedy, reflecting on how his own experiences are shaped and distorted by the media's portrayal of grief.

  9. Humor as Coping Mechanism: Despite the weighty subject matter, Eggers employs humor as a coping mechanism, infusing the narrative with wit and irreverence to navigate the darkness of his circumstances.

  10. Celebration of Resilience: Ultimately, the memoir serves as a celebration of resilience in the face of adversity, as Eggers and his siblings navigate the challenges of loss and forge a new path forward in the aftermath of tragedy.

Language English
ISBN-10 0375725784
ISBN-13 9780375725784
No of pages 496
Font Size Medium
Book Publisher RHUS
Published Date 13 Feb 2001

About Author

Author : Dave Eggers

3 Books

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