A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius by Dave Eggers

Finished this the other day.  I had bought it originally back in 2002, but never got further than the first 100 pages, I just found it too manic and meandering.  In spite of this I still recommended it to others because of Eggers obvious talent.  It wasn’t for me, but that didn’t mean others wouldn’t see more in it.  I felt like I was sitting there talking to a person who was just spilling his guts about his tragic, yes heartbreaking, life - but he was doing this after a few drinks - and was shouting sometimes, clear in some places, and all over the place in others.  Maybe it’s my personality, but I usually tune those people out regardless of what they are saying, or what their history may be.

Well, I picked it up about a week ago and found about the same thing, that is until the last, oh, 50 pages or so.  The mania went out of his voice and it was all very clear to me and, again, heartbreaking.  It leads me to believe that he seemed so manic and rambling because he was just that.  When he wanted to be straight he was.  I am liking the book more the further I get away from it.  Upon reflection, I understand what it is as a whole.  To use a beaten metaphor, I can see the forest through the trees.  I am a bit late on the Eggers bandwagon, but if you haven’t read this yet, it is worth it.