A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius: Difference between revisions
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'''''A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius''''' (or AHWoSG) is a [[2000]] [[memoir]] by [[Dave Eggers]]. It chronicles the [[cancer]]-related deaths of his parents and his stewardship of |
'''''A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius''''' (or AHWoSG) is a [[2000]] [[memoir]] by [[Dave Eggers]]. It chronicles the [[cancer]]-related deaths of his parents and his [[stewardship]] of younger brother [[Christopher Eggers|Toph]] (short for Christopher) while working as the editor of an independent [[magazine]] and living in [[California]]. |
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The book was an enormous commercial and critical success, reaching number one on [[New York Times bestseller list|''The New York Times'' bestseller list]] and being nominated as a finalist for the [[Pulitzer Prize]] for General Non-Fiction. ''[[Time Magazine]]'' and several [[newspapers]] named it "The Best Book of the Year." Critics praised the book for its wild, vibrant prose, described as |
The book was an enormous commercial and critical success, reaching number one on [[New York Times bestseller list|''The New York Times'' bestseller list]] and being nominated as a finalist for the [[Pulitzer Prize]] for General Non-Fiction. ''[[Time Magazine]]'' and several [[newspapers]] named it "The Best Book of the Year." Critics praised the book for its wild, vibrant [[prose]], described as "big, daring [and] manic-depressive" by ''[[The New York Times]].'' However, some readers and critics felt Eggers’ writing was undisciplined and self-indulgent, as it partially relies on a [[Postmodernism|post-modern]] structure. |
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==Plot Synopsis== |
==Plot Synopsis== |
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In [[Chicago]], Dave Eggers and his siblings, Bill, Beth and Toph (who is 13 years younger than his next eldest sibling, Dave) endure the sudden death of their father due to [[lung cancer]]. |
In [[Chicago, Illinois]], Dave Eggers and his siblings, Bill, Beth and Toph (who is 13 years younger than his next eldest sibling, Dave) endure the sudden death of their father due to [[lung cancer]]. Thirty-two days later, their mother dies from [[stomach cancer]] after a long struggle. |
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Afterwards, Dave, Beth and Toph (of whom Dave is now legal guardian) move to Berkeley. Dave and his friends organize an independent magazine called ''Might'' in [[San Francisco]] and become engrossed in the [[Generation X]] culture. Dave also auditions for [[MTV]] |
Afterwards, Dave, Beth and Toph (of whom Dave is now legal guardian) move to Berkeley. Dave and his friends organize an independent magazine called ''[[Might magazine|Might]]'' in [[San Francisco]] and become engrossed in the [[Generation X]] culture. Dave also auditions for [[MTV]]'s ''[[The Real World]].'' |
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Conflicts in the memoir center around Dave's struggle between his responsibilities as Toph's guardian and his desire to enjoy his |
Conflicts in the memoir center around Dave's struggle between his responsibilities as Toph's guardian and his desire to enjoy his 20's as well as the specter of guilt and tragedy surrounding their parents' deaths. |
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==Fiction or Non-Fiction?== |
==Fiction or Non-Fiction?== |
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''A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius'' is usually classified a memoir or [[autobiography]] and its foundation is certainly laid in true events. However, Eggers takes great creative liberties. He often writes wild, tangential fantasy scenes. He occasionally |
''A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius'' is usually classified a memoir or [[autobiography]] and its foundation is certainly laid in true events. However, Eggers takes great creative liberties. He often writes wild, tangential fantasy scenes. He occasionally "compresses" time, making events in the book closer in time to one another than they actually were. He also allows characters to say things they really did not in order to make a point about his own character or the book itself (for example, Toph occasionally speaks in terms too advanced for his age to criticize Dave for faults Dave perceives in himself). Furthermore, Toph even breaks the [[fourth wall]] in accusing Dave. |
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Eggers points out to his readers what parts of the book were fictionalized or exaggerated in the course of the book and in the preface. |
Eggers points out to his readers what parts of the book were fictionalized or exaggerated in the course of the book and in the preface. |
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==Preface and |
==Preface and Addendums== |
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Atypical, but inline with Eggers’ comedic style, the book includes lengthy preface and acknowledgement sections, a list of tips to better enjoy the book and a guide to its symbols and |
Atypical, but inline with Eggers’ comedic style, the book includes lengthy preface and acknowledgement sections, a list of tips to better enjoy the book and a guide to its symbols and [[metaphor]]s. |
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Later printings of the book also include an addendum called ''Mistakes We Knew We Were Making'', which details some of the deliberate omissions and composite events that made the book flow easier. |
Later printings of the book also include an addendum called ''Mistakes We Knew We Were Making'', which details some of the deliberate omissions and composite events that made the book flow easier. |
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==Film Adaptation== |
==Film Adaptation== |
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In [[2002]], [[New Line Cinema]] bought the rights to adapt AHWoSG into a film. The [[screenplay]] was written by novelist [[Nick Hornby]] and screenwriter [[D.V. DeVincentis]]. Several directors have expressed |
In [[2002]], [[New Line Cinema]] bought the rights to adapt AHWoSG into a film. The [[screenplay]] was written by novelist [[Nick Hornby]] and screenwriter [[D.V. DeVincentis]]. Several directors have expressed interest in the film but none has thus far signed on and the fate of the film remains uncertain. Eggers has said that, if the film is made, he will be a producer. |
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==External Links== |
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*[http://books.guardian.co.uk/firstchapters/story/0,6761,384966,00.html Read an excerpt] |
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*[http://www.bookbrowse.com/excerpts/index.cfm?book_number=288 Another on-line excerpt] |
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*[http://mcsweeneys.net/ Timothy McSweeney's Internet Tendency, Dave's current project] |
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[[Category:2000 books|Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius, A]] |
[[Category:2000 books|Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius, A]] |
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Revision as of 22:09, 24 June 2005
A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius (or AHWoSG) is a 2000 memoir by Dave Eggers. It chronicles the cancer-related deaths of his parents and his stewardship of younger brother Toph (short for Christopher) while working as the editor of an independent magazine and living in California.
The book was an enormous commercial and critical success, reaching number one on The New York Times bestseller list and being nominated as a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for General Non-Fiction. Time Magazine and several newspapers named it "The Best Book of the Year." Critics praised the book for its wild, vibrant prose, described as "big, daring [and] manic-depressive" by The New York Times. However, some readers and critics felt Eggers’ writing was undisciplined and self-indulgent, as it partially relies on a post-modern structure.
Plot Synopsis
In Chicago, Illinois, Dave Eggers and his siblings, Bill, Beth and Toph (who is 13 years younger than his next eldest sibling, Dave) endure the sudden death of their father due to lung cancer. Thirty-two days later, their mother dies from stomach cancer after a long struggle.
Afterwards, Dave, Beth and Toph (of whom Dave is now legal guardian) move to Berkeley. Dave and his friends organize an independent magazine called Might in San Francisco and become engrossed in the Generation X culture. Dave also auditions for MTV's The Real World.
Conflicts in the memoir center around Dave's struggle between his responsibilities as Toph's guardian and his desire to enjoy his 20's as well as the specter of guilt and tragedy surrounding their parents' deaths.
Fiction or Non-Fiction?
A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius is usually classified a memoir or autobiography and its foundation is certainly laid in true events. However, Eggers takes great creative liberties. He often writes wild, tangential fantasy scenes. He occasionally "compresses" time, making events in the book closer in time to one another than they actually were. He also allows characters to say things they really did not in order to make a point about his own character or the book itself (for example, Toph occasionally speaks in terms too advanced for his age to criticize Dave for faults Dave perceives in himself). Furthermore, Toph even breaks the fourth wall in accusing Dave.
Eggers points out to his readers what parts of the book were fictionalized or exaggerated in the course of the book and in the preface.
Preface and Addendums
Atypical, but inline with Eggers’ comedic style, the book includes lengthy preface and acknowledgement sections, a list of tips to better enjoy the book and a guide to its symbols and metaphors.
Later printings of the book also include an addendum called Mistakes We Knew We Were Making, which details some of the deliberate omissions and composite events that made the book flow easier.
Film Adaptation
In 2002, New Line Cinema bought the rights to adapt AHWoSG into a film. The screenplay was written by novelist Nick Hornby and screenwriter D.V. DeVincentis. Several directors have expressed interest in the film but none has thus far signed on and the fate of the film remains uncertain. Eggers has said that, if the film is made, he will be a producer.