Big Books of 2026
A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius

Questions About A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius

by Dave Eggers

Reader Q&A

To ask other readers questions about A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius, please sign up.

Answered Questions (6)

how is this a modern classic? :S
William Because it is an amazing book that tells an incredible story in an inventive way.
flag
I would like to know what makes this author one of the best. Any of my friends on here read his work? Is it fairly clean reading without distracting profanity or immorality?
Michael This question is three years old so I'm not sure it's relevant anymore, but if your judgement of literature is that it is 'clean reading without distr…moreThis question is three years old so I'm not sure it's relevant anymore, but if your judgement of literature is that it is 'clean reading without distracting profanity or morality' then you probably need to read more widely. And also just read more books period. Though not a flawless book and maybe one better suited to a younger reader as older readers will have less patience with its flaws, the novel nonetheless has as its heart a very affecting relationship, that of the (at the time young) author and his tween brother as they embark on a life alone, having in quick succession lost both parents. Most people who dismiss the book somehow seem to miss the centrality of that relationship. It is worth your time, but please look beyond your parochial sphere and see the larger world at work. A piece of literature can (and often should) be shaggy, it should range, it should affront, and yes, it should swear from time to time. Do we really need to be as precious as all that?(less)
flag
Did anyone read this recently and find themselves appalled by the unexamined racism / white privilege? I found the scene on the beach with the Mexican teens was particularly jarring in 2021, although I'm not surprised that no one batted an eye in 2001.
Hannah Lustig I noticed this too!! Eggers seemed to be pretty aware of the racism yet included it anyway. There were many instances like this that went unmentioned …moreI noticed this too!! Eggers seemed to be pretty aware of the racism yet included it anyway. There were many instances like this that went unmentioned later on.(less)
flag
Is this book okay for 13+?
Anne There are some vague mentioning of nudity, and some low-scale violence; there is deep irony when reflecting on his youth which might not be caught on …moreThere are some vague mentioning of nudity, and some low-scale violence; there is deep irony when reflecting on his youth which might not be caught on by every 13+, but it would not be harmful. I would say yes, they can read it, but they are definitely not the main target audience of this book.(less)
flag
Do you consider this "post-modern fiction"?
Anne No it is not. Post-modern fiction would feel like you're going through a crazy story, where things are never what they seem, and you never know what t…moreNo it is not. Post-modern fiction would feel like you're going through a crazy story, where things are never what they seem, and you never know what to believe. The narrator might also be hiding things from you, therefor drawing you into a story in a perplexing way. In addition, there might be a political motivation. Dave Eggers on the other hand, writes in a way that makes it clear when the character is exaggerating and when it is real; you are not really left in doubt, despite being privy to his oftentimes chaotic thoughts. The things in the memoir are never impossible. Lastly, there is no political motivation by this book: although the main character has some political motivation, it is looked down upon by Eggers as his older self as being an ironic phase of himself in his twenties, something a lot of twenty-somethings go through, this idealistic "let's change the world! ... maybe by starting a magazine!".(less)
flag

Unanswered Questions (2)

About Goodreads Q&A

Ask and answer questions about books!

You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.

See Featured Authors Answering Questions

Learn more