32 page into Zeitoun and so far thoroughly disappointed. The back cover reads, “Zeitoun is an instant American classic carved from fierce eloquence and a haunting moral sensibility.” Thank you Michael Eric Dyson, author of Come Hell or High Water, for you have provided me with the most eloquent and intriguing piece of literature since I started this novel. As a lover of literature I hate to so prematurely write off a book that has been so well received, particularly considering its content. However, I cannot overlook the fact that I’m already bored and have yet to make it through the first chapter.
The primary problem I’ve encountered (so far) is the fact that the author has no subtlety when it comes to the subject matter. I appreciate the simple way in which Eggers presents his characters. The descriptions of their personalities, their mannerisms and behaviors are, at the very least, relatable. However, I find his inability to address the central “villain,” shall we say, with any sense of delicacy incredibly obtrusive. The foreboding mentionings of the oncoming storm Katrina are not at all as menacing as I assume Eggers intends. Instead it feels more like a nagging, pleading reminder. Immediately I am reminded of the hangnail on my index finger – I know it’s there, but there’s nothing I can do about it… but why continue bringing it up all the time? There’s no mystery here. No need to try “sneaking” in not-so-subtle clues about the ending. We know what happens. Katrina is a big-ass bitch who rears her ugly head and smacks New Orleans with the force of any real authentic southern hot sauce… Trust me, it’s “slap yo mama hot!”
Why would any writer push so hard? The topic is clearly something readers are familiar with. Nobody’s in the dark… I just don’t understand. Is it an effective literary device? I don’t believe so. Does it create a sense of tension? Not really, we know what’s coming anyway. Mentioning it once is sufficient. In fact, mentioning it once would work more effectively. By introducing the impending menace only once, maybe twice, the reader is reminded why our attention is drawn to these characters. We are meant to feel for them. A family of six – hard working parents with four young, lovely children. We want them to survive and succeed. As readers, we are meant to connect because we too have been faced with hardships. However, by introducing the villain – the threat to the peaceful nature of this family and their existence – and then continuing to throw her in our face over and over again simply draws out our expectations. Again, I’m only 32 pages in, but already I’m just waiting for the damn hurricane to hit so we can get on with the story.
I don’t want to give up on this book. I really do want to keep reading. But, having written this with a beer in my belly and the motion of the 178 Regional under me last night, I had some difficulty making it any further without finding an alternative source of entertainment or solace… aka, I fell asleep.
