Eggers is definitely a very talented writer. I enjoyed the book up to the point where Eggers Decides to hit me over the head a dozen times with the same thing. Repetition maybe a motif of the X-generation, but it does not have to be demostrated so literally as Eggers has done. After all, readers are not as stupid as we seem and a book is not a pop song where we need a chorus. The most annoying thing about the book is Eggers' relentless ranting. True, he can rant rather cleverly, but Eventually I get tired of hearing the same over and over. I like him the way I like my 5 yo nephew who is therefore a brilliant ranter: That is, I like him for ten minutes then I want to box his ears. The book is brilliantly crafted. The author shows Exactly what he wants to show and not a bit more (despite all the posturing). That is so to say he does not want to show much. He's like a magician. He gets you to focus on the right hand while he does something else with the left hand. I bought the book Because I wanted to know more about the terrible tragedy That had attacked his family and the burden he had taken with his deed younger brother. Granted I also would like to learn a bit about him as well. But after I read the book, I did not learn a whole lot about his family or his little brother or his girlfriends. But I did enjoy the convolution (the first 40 or 50 pages) of his prose and his sheer audacity. After I finished the book, I had a chance to hear him read. It was only then did I could confirm my suspicion. Eggers is a gifted writer, but he is far more the marketing genius and the consumate showman. The only disappointing thing is that - like most showman - he delivers less than he promises. I like this book Because it ventures into New Direction (though not far enough). I like it Because Eggers has the cojones to take the publishing industries in reviewing and ride them for all they 're worth. For true brillance, read Angela Ashes by Frank McCourt (Pulitzer winner). For emotional honestly and insights, read Catfish and Mandala by Andrew X. Pham (Kiriyama Winner).