Title: Zeitoun
Author: Dave Eggers
Publication Year: 2009
Publisher: Recorded Books
Edition: audio book
Reader: Firdous Bamjai (very good)
Source: Library
Date Completed: 3/25/2011
Setting: New Orleans, LA
Rating: 4/5 stars
Recommend: yes
Zeitoun
, is a true account of one family's ordeal following hurricane Katrina. Abdulrahman Zeitoun was a middle-aged , Syrian-American, father of four, and successful business owner. He is married to Kathy, who helps her husband with the customer relations end of the painting business, while caring for the children. Kathy was born and raised in the US and converted to Islam after her first marriage ended in divorce.On the Friday before Katrina made landfall, Kathy and the children leave the area to stay with some of her relatives. Zeitoun, insists on staying behind, to watch over their home and business. When the storm hits on Sunday August 28, 2005, Mr. Z. hurries to do what he can to move their most valuble possessions to a higher plain, and then he sets out on a mission to help others in need. He belives he is doing God's work. Zeitoun and a buddy travel through the streets of New Orleans in a used metal canoe, rescuing some elderly folks and feeding dogs left behind by their owners. Then, in the midst of this disaster, something shocking happens. Six armed military officials show up at his home, and Zeitoun is taken away in handcuffs. While he thought they were there from FEMA to help him, they had other ideas. He is suspected of being a terrorist. For the next week, he is unable to call his wife, and his family fears that he is dead. By the time he is finally released from the horrible place he was detained, he had lost over 20lbs, and was in sad shape. His wife also suffers severe after effects from the ordeal.
If this isn't bad enough, the book also details numerous examples which demonstrate how inept those in charge really were, and the waste and inefficiency which resulted. I can't even imagine, the extent of the emotional pain which resulted for those who were there and somehow survived, or for others who lost loved ones.
This review is based on the audio book. The story itself was fascinating, but yet the way it was told seemed choppy. It was, howver, an eye-opening account of one man's experience during hurricane Katrina. It reinforces what most of us here in the US are already know -- the handling of Katrina was a complete disaster.
I started this, and while I wasn't disinterested, it didn't grab me enough. But I bet I would like it better on audio. Great review!
ReplyDeleteThat whole ordeal was so awful, it might be good to get the inside perspective. Thanks for the great review!
ReplyDeleteSomeone who was a victim of a flood branded as a terrorist based on their ethnicity? Really? Gosh, sometimes the injustices of the world really burn my cookies...thank you for this review; I will have to either read or listen to this one.
ReplyDeleteI just bought this book because it sounded so interesting. Thanks for the review. I always like to get someone's thoughts before I read a book so I have an idea of what to expect.
ReplyDeleteI was so shocked at the atrocities that occurred during Katrina. It made me realize how naive I was. I read this but could see that it might come across as choppy. It felt very journalistic.
ReplyDeleteI've read some other books about Katrina and the handling of it all and it's just shameful.
ReplyDeleteThe subject is fascinating, but what I really want to know is can Dave Eggers write. I wonder if the first book was a fluke. What do you think? Is he a great writer?
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds awesome! I have this book on my TBR, but didn't have much of an idea about it, other than that it is set against Katrina and something tragic happens. I can't wait to read this.
ReplyDeleteI listened to this one last year and learned a lot from it, though I agree it didn't hang together as well as it might have. Still, there was a lot of interesting and shocking stuff in there. I definitely think I enjoyed it more on audio than I would have in print.
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