ZEITOUN

author:
DAVE EGGERS

Non-fiction
342 pages
McSweeney’s

When Dave Eggers publishes a new book, I get pretty excited. Partly because his work rarely disappoints, but also (largely!) because McSweeney’s books are a work of art.

Much like his last book, the cover of Zeitoun in many ways reflects not only the story contained inside, but the prevailing mood. It pictures a man paddling a canoe through the flooded streets of New Orleans. His face looks serene as he glides through calm water, and despite submerged houses and the hood of a car jutting out of the unnatural sea, the scene doesn’t conjure up the sense of devastation that we would expect from a book about the disastrous events of Hurricane Katrina.

The story revolves around a man named Abdulrahman Zeitoun, a prominent and well-liked man in his community. Early on, we follow his day to day interaction with family and friends, neighbors and clients, demonstrating not only that he is a likeable and dependable guy, but someone with character – with principles. And so, when things start to go downhill for our hero, it is extremely disenchanting. Infuriating even. Thankfully, this is a game Eggers is well-acquainted with, and it is where he shines. In every calamity, Zeitoun sees opportunities to help. For every disgrace he suffers, he sees a reaffirming trace of humanity. When things seem dark, he never abandons hope. In the dreariest moments, through his eyes we are left with a sense that all is not lost. It’s a nice feeling. In fact, if Zeitoun hadn’t been so steadfast throughout his trials, I probably would have grown discouraged reading; but that is not meant as a criticism – it is largely the charm of this story. Dave Eggers has a definite skill for this type of emotional balancing act.

Honestly, outside of the obvious – the immediate destruction and death, and of course the subsequent toil of rebuilding the city – I wasn’t aware of the arguably larger issue of residents’ civil rights being violated; people who had lost everything being treated more like prisoners of war than human beings in need of aid. The biggest travesty wasn’t the natural disaster, it was how the authorities dealt with the situation in the aftermath (and beforehand). But this isn’t about me getting on a soapbox. Eggers has delivered another biopic that is both socially and politically relevant to our generation. Read the book for yourself. Go for a romantic cruise in a canoe along the quiet streets of a once-bustling city. You may find yourself outraged at times, but you’ll be equally charmed.

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