Zeitoun
While I was told that I should write a response to a specific passage in the book “Zeitoun” by Dave Eggers, I couldn’t help to write about the book in general and Abuldharam Zeitoun the character instead. The truth is I really enjoyed the book, and I couldn't bring myself to pick just one passage.
Zeitoun was not only an incredible, eye opening story for me, but also a learning experience. I learned more about hurricane Katrina by reading Egger’s book than by watching the news and reading the newspapers. Eggers writes and makes us, the readers feel as if we actually know Zeitoun. We hurt with him, celebrate with him and we learn to feel for him through out his story. Raised and born in Syria, Zeitoun became a great man, with great aspirations not only for him, but everyone around him.
Zeitoun endures, and suffers from unfair harsh treatment and abuse. The way he responded to it all, just verifies how great of a man he is, and makes us reflect on what we would do if we were in his shoes, and our reaction would probably be very different. He leaves everything to faith, to his God. He is loyal to his country and his religion, and no matter how unfair the whole situation was, and how terrible the accusations were he never lost his temper and always acted responsibly and respectfully.
Overall, I really just wanted to share my admiration for Zeitoun and the book. It really made me reflect on life and on how I would handle myself on times like those. I learned to fight for what I believe in, help others even though i may need help myself, and mostly I learned to be grateful for everyday and every opportunity that i’m given, and that is why I thought the book was worth it. I’d definitely recommend it to family an friends, and read it a second time myself.
