Reader Response :: Telling Stories, Writing Stories

In the preface of the novel, Valentino Achak Deng describes how the writing of What is the What was a collaboration between himself and the author. Valentino told Dave Eggers as much as he could remember, and Eggers "created this work of art" (xiv).

Valentino's strength is telling stories out loud, while Eggers makes a living writing stories down.

How do you prefer to tell stores -- with spoken words, or with written words? Do you think one format is better than the other, and why?

Reader Response :: Telling Silent Stories

In Chapter 3, Valentino explains that,

When I first came to this country, I would tell silent stories. I would tell them to people who had wronged me... You do not understand, I would tell them. You would not add to my suffering if you knew what I had seen... The stories emanate from me all the time I am awake and breathing, and I want everyone to hear them. (29)

If Valentino wants "everyone to hear" his stories, then why doesn't he just say them out loud? Why would his stories be "silent"?

Why do you think he eventually get involved in the creation of What is the What?

Reader Response :: What it takes to be American

In Chapter 13, Valentino and other immigrant "Lost Boys" go to an Atlanta Hawks game and see Manute Bol play. Afterwards, Bol gives a speech to the Sudanese group. He tells them to be "model immigrants" and that if they conducted themselves with "dignity, restraint, and ambition" in their new home, they would be accepted by Americans (169).

Do you think Bol gave them good advice? Are there other qualities that you think are more important?

What does being a "model immigrant" mean, exactly? Do you strive to be a "model immigrant" or a "model citizen"?