Rating: 
Summary: A 5-star "Genius."
Review: "I am bursting with the hopes of a generation, their hopes surge through me, threaten to burst my hardened heart" Pulitizer-Prize finalist, Dave Eggers, writes in this memoir that lives up to its title. "I am at once pitiful and monstrous, I know, and this is all my own making, I know--not the fault of my parents but all my own creation, yes, but I am the product of my environment, and thus representative, must be exhibited, as inspiration and cautionary tale" (p. 236). In the introductory "Rules and Suggestions for Enjoyment" of his book, Eggers acknowledges his HEARTBREAKING WORK OF STAGGERING GENIUS (A.H.W.O.S.G.) is "kind of uneven" (p. vii), and he even suggests that readers might want to skip the first three of four chapters of his book altogether, starting his book at page 123 instead. But overall, A.H.W.O.S.G. is a fluid, coming-of-age tale.I revisited Eggers' fictionalized memoir after his recent visit to Boulder promoting his more recent novel. A.H.W.O.S.G. will make readers laugh and cry, and often simultaneously. It tells the unforgettable, 437-page "true" story of two brothers, the 22-year-old narrator, and his 8-year-old brother, Christopher ("Toph"), orphaned when their parents died of cancer within five months of one another. Along the way, Eggers insightfully explores the depths of his MTV "Real World" generation with insights and sensitivity that will appeal to readers of all ages. G. Merritt
Rating: 
Summary: a talented young author
Review: I just finished AHWOSG and I the lasting impression that I had was that Eggers is perhaps one of the most talented, eloquent and creative writers that I have ever encountered. This said, I was fairly dissapointed in the storyline of AHWOSG, after the first two chapters nothing really happened. Overall, a beautiful yet un-exciting memoir.
Rating:
Summary: Tries a little too hard...
Review: There are things to admire about Dave Eggers "Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius" -- a compelling story, fluid writing, creative alterations of narrative style-- but ultimately is is a heartbreaking work of staggering mediocrity. It is difficult to feel sorry for characters who seem to lack any and all spiritual depth... it's as if Bret Easton Ellis's tragic (and infinately more talented) cousin depicted one family's tragic decline. A subject this compelling -- the loss of the Eggers parents, and their kids orphan status in the world-- should leave a reader rapt and inspired. Instead I was just bored and irritated with a gifted writer's self-indulgent style. Frankly, I got more from the similarly themed "White Oleander" by Janet Fitch and Jennifer Lauck's "Blackbird."
Rating:
Summary: really really good book
Review: I just finished A.H.W.O.S.G, and I can't convey how impressed I was that Dave Eggers captured his raw emotion with such accuracy. Sometimes, (and isn't this what makes a book good?) I felt as if he was writing for me, or in other words, writing my life. Albeit, I never lost my parents or had custody of my sibling, but his and my frustrations are one in the same. I recommend this book for anyone who is willing to laugh, cry, hate, and love in one sitting.
Rating:
Summary: A true piece of work!
Review: Many people don't know how difficult it is to make people laugh out loud. The fact that Mr. Eggars is able to do so on a regular basis throughout this distinctive and original work is not to be taken lightly. I don't know why he is (only occasionally) being derided for his "clever" phrases and seemingly easy jokes on the true and genuine hardships of his own somewhat (to some) sordid and "un-American" journey through life -- but I for one would like to applaud his ability to make mildly depressed people sit up out of their cynicism thrones and chuckle, not to mention FEEL. He is far ahead of his time in his willingness and skill in transforming a memoir into a cohesive and heartfelt piece of undeniable literature. I absolutely love this boook and I recommend it to everyone who is ready for the next step in consciousness.
Rating:
Summary: A new voice in American prose
Review: AHWOSG presents us with a compelling new prose. Not since Jack Kerouac has an author seemingly created a prose style to fit his or her story. His memoir is a poingnant story of loss and rediscovery. The honest range of emotions in this book is impossible to ignore from loss-saturated sadness, to comical cultural narrative, to downright rage. You have to commit to make it through the gritty beginning, but the book as a whole is remarkable. It's one of those rare books that you read and then tell everyone you know about it so that they can share in the enjoyment. AHWOSG is an outstanding book that I found myself lucky to happen upon and will follow Eggers for books to come.
Rating:
Summary: You may love or hate it -- but won¿t feel indiferent
Review: It is impossible to finish reading "A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius" and still be indiferent to this novel -- or autobiography, as you like it. One may enjoy or not, but will have a strong feeling for it. Some like --or hate -- the plot, others prefer --or can stand-- Eggers's style. It is just a question of taste. As it is widely known AHWOST is about a young who loses his parents in the space of five weeks, and inherits his eight-year-old brother. So in the book he tells the experiece of parenting his little brother and trying to have a own life either. Many parts --mostly the first chapter-- are quite sad, and even scary. However, as the narrative goes on, funny things pop up --nonetheless, important issues, are dealt with the proper seriousness. Ordinary things have a special sparkle. The characters --most, if not all of them-- are based on people Dave knows, and they are very interesting and well-developed. I don't agree with people who says the writer is egocentrial -- or something like it. I think everyone has an interesting story to tell -- some more interesting than others. And it all comes down to put it down in words. If people will read it or not is another problem. Dave did write about his situation, and people liked it. All in all, AHWOSG reminds me of both Chuck Palahniuk and Nick Hornby. Dave shares with Palahniuk an acid view of the world --ses the MTV interview that actually becomes a shrink session. From Hornby he's got the tenderness of dealing with nonsense situations in a smart and funny --without being stupid-- way. Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Unique
Review: Indeed, it's a unique book, with exceptional frills, and a rare story. His random thoughts were expressed without filter it stunned me. An honest book, with some points being too elaborated. You may be bewildered by his instructions (funny they are), but I did regret not following on of them.
Rating:
Summary: Good in parts but Might have been...................
Review: Well I read this cause I lost both parents to cancer. At times witty and moving, its hard to be sympathetic; the stream of consciousness stuff gets old after awhile, too many tangents. Is he Dave or really John. His brother seems to be the more stable and adult of the two. I liked the MTV interview, could be a good read for Psych. 101. Overall he tries to be a little too funny at times. Maybe I am just to cynical, but hope for better in his next book.
Rating: 
Summary: Eh... whatever
Review: It has its moments. Taken as a whole, it is pretty mediocre. The author has a tendency to go off on long "stream of conciousness" tangents that stop being funny/cute after about the first page or so. Also, I get the vague sense that this book is trying to appeal to a sort of hip, west coast sensibility. I believe we all got more than our fill of that...during the dot-com mania of the late 90s.
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