Zeitoun by Dave Eggers

Narrated by Firdous Bamji.
Audiobook published by Recorded Books, 2009.
Formats available: print, ebook, MP3 audiobook, CD audiobook.

Story:
Reading:

I wasn't living in the US when Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans in 2005. I didn't experience Katrina in the way that most Americans did, but this book made me feel as if I had lived through it personally.

Set in New Orleans just before and after the hurricane, Dave Eggers opens up to us the life of one family, the Zeitouns. Abdulrahman Zeitoun and his wife Kathy own a house-painting company. Zeitoun, as he is referred to throughout the book, is a jack-of-all-trades and a respected member of their New Orleans community. When Hurricane Katrina hits, Kathy takes their four children and leaves the city, but Zeitoun stays behind to wait out the storm and to try to mitigate any damage that might be done to the various properties that they own. Eggers takes us through the hurricane and the flooding of the city, through the stress of limited communication between Kathy and Zeitoun and tells us a story of great heroism.

After the storm abates, Zeitoun takes his canoe and paddles around the city rescuing people and animals who have been trapped in their homes by the flood waters. We see the strangeness of the ruined city through his eyes. Kathy repeatedly asks Zeitoun to leave the city but he stubbornly refuses, believing he can be of service to the people who could not escape. About a week after the hurricane Zeitoun is arrested. Because he is a Syrian immigrant and devout Muslim, Zeitoun is treated abominably by US soldiers.

While the book is a must-read, I can't recommend the audiobook experience of it. The narrator's voice is not exactly monotone but it is monotonous. I found myself nodding off at times. My advice, read the book but give the audiobook a pass.