What Is the What

New York Times Notable Book • NATIONAL BOOK CRITICS CIRCLE AWARD FINALIST

“[An] Astonishing story … of immerse power, emotion and even, in the midst of horror, beauty.” —Salman Rushdie 

“Told with humor, humanity, and bottomless compassion for his subject. . . . It is impossible to read this book and not be humbled, enlightened, transformed.” —Khaled Hosseini, author of The Kite Runner

“Lit by lightning flashes of humor, wisdom and charm…. An extraordinary work of witness, and of art.” —Francine Prose, The New York Times Book Review

“A moving, frightening, improbably beautiful book.” —Lev Grossman, Time

“A testament to the triumph of hope over experience, human resilience over tragedy and disaster.” —Michiko Kakutani, The New York Times

“An absolute classic…. Compelling, important, and vital to the understanding of the politics and emotional consequences of oppression.” —Jonathan Durbin, People

“A sweet and sometimes very funny story of one boy’s coming of age…. Strange, beautiful and unforgettable.” —John Freeman, San Francisco Chronicle