Characters in the book zeitoun

This 44page guide for zeitoun by dave eggers includes detailed chapter summaries and analysis covering 15 chapters, as well as several more indepth sections of expertwritten literary analysis. The character of abdulrahman zeitoun in zeitoun from. He builds the characters well katrina does not arrive until a quarter of the way through the book and then. The story follows zeitoun, who grew up in syria but.

A hard working syrianamerican man living in new orleans who owns a contracting business. A man who had been using the telephone in zeitoun s house, and was arrested along with the others for looting. She said detectives had credible information of the plot. His story is a moving testament to the resilience of the. The mccarthy quote is evocative of the breakdown in sanity, morality and law in the aftermath of katrina. The main characters of this non fiction, biography story are. This guide is intended to enhance your groups reading and discussion of dave eggerss zeitoun, a harrowing nonfiction account of what happened to one man, and his family, in the chaotic aftermath of hurricane katrina. Eggers, the boy wonder of good intentions, has given us 21stcentury dickensian storytelling which is to say, a characterdriven potboiler with. Not surprisingly, my book clubs discussion of zeitoun was very tinged y the controversy surrounding the main subject and his family.

Its simplistic style and important message make it a good choice for just about any type of reader, including young adults. He builds the characters well katrina does not arrive until a quarter of the way through the book and then lets them drive the story. Zeitoun s syrian friend who he finds while canoeing in new orleans. She was kathys closest friend in childhood, and shelters. Zeitoun, ronnie, todd and nasser are all innocent man who are indeed punished without. Information and suggestions for teachers who want to incorporate the book or references to zeitoun in their classes zeitoun by dave eggers is an amazing true story about the lead up to and aftermath of hurricane katrina and one mans attempt to help. Mar 26, 2010 as a piece of writing, eggerss book is sublime simple and unintrusive in style. The situation had stolen her dignity, and it pained him to bear witness. Dave eggers is the new york times bestselling author of the critically lauded a heartbreaking work of staggering genius. The protagonist of the book, zeitoun, as he is usually called, is originally from jableh, a small coastal town in syria. After spending years as a sailor traveling all around the world, zeitoun moved to read full character analysis.

Told with eloquence and compassion, zeitoun is a riveting account of one familys unthinkable struggle with forces beyond wind and water. He comes from a highachieving family who live all over the world. Find all the books, read about the author, and more. Zeitouns ordeal is the main subject of this harrowing nonfiction book, while eggers. Zeitoun summary from litcharts the creators of sparknotes. Eggers obviously spent many long hours interviewing the main characters of this story, abdulrahman zeitoun and his wife kathy and he provides a deep insight into their characters. Jonathan demmes animated film based on eggerss book might have. These two quotes appear in the forward of zeitoun and can be considered to be both related directly to zeitoun himself and the overall themes of the book. Study guide includes comprehensive information and analysis to help you understand the book. Zeitoun abdulrahman zeitoun, known to most by his surname zeitoun, is the protagonist of the story. If you would like to participate, please visit the project page, where you can join the discussion and see a list of open tasks. Page 70 it was not right to watch a woman of her age suffer like this. Pdf zeitoun book by dave eggers free download 342 pages. Abdulrahman zeitoun known simply as zeitoun is a prosperous syrianamerican in new orleans when hurricane katrina hits in 2005.

The creators of sparknotes zeitoun characters from litcharts. Zeitoun quotes by dave eggers meet your next favorite book. Eggerss zeitoun is a loving family man peaceful, calm, and devoted to his wife. More than that, though, was the feeling that i was being overtly manipulated into having certain opinions or feelings toward the main character and his situation. Zeitoun is a nonfiction narrative recounting the trials and ordeals of the zeitoun family during hurricane katrina and its aftermath. The true story of one family, caught between americas two biggest polic. Dave eggerss zeitoun is a frightening book, telling a story of terrible and unexpected consequences of the terrorist threat to the united states. His arrest was a jarring twist for the main character of the acclaimed book. About the book abdulrahman zeitoun is a syrianborn entrepreneur who runs a busy painting company in new orleans. Ahmaads wife, yuko is an american of japanese descent who converted to islam. Unable to afford a car, he rode his bicycle to a his jobs at construction sites.

The first edition of the novel was published in july 15th 2008, and was written by dave eggers. Kathy is zeitoun s strongwilled american wife who leaves new orleans with their four children two days before katrina hit the city. Friday, august 25, 2005, is a normal day for the family. Jul 23, 2019 eggerss riveting nonfiction book, three years in the making, explores zeitouns roots in syria, his marriage to kathy an american who converted to islam and their children, and the surreal atmosphere in new orleans and the united states generally in which what happened to abdulrahman zeitoun was possible. Eggerss riveting nonfiction book, three years in the making, explores zeitouns roots in syria, his marriage to kathy an american who converted to islam and their children, and the surreal atmosphere in new orleans and the united states generally in which what happened to abdulrahman zeitoun was possible. In reality, zeitoun mainly sees people wanting to be rescued, as well as military and police officers in full combat gear swarming the city. A new york times notable book an o, the oprah magazine terrific read of the year. Zeitoun hears news from kathy about how the city is supposed to be violent and lawless, with murders, rapes, and rampaging gangs. Therefore it need a free signup process to obtain the book.

The book really highlights the injustice of the post 911 racism in the us, as zeitoun is on the recieving end of alot of racist remarks from guards at a us government prison camp, as well as being detained with trial or access to a phone call or lawyer, and being housed in inhumane conditions. The book opens with friday, august 26, an expository chapter that introduces us to zeitouns family life and his business life, the two very interconnected. Eggers relied heavily on what his subjects, abdulrahman zeitoun and his wife kathy, told him while working on the. It tells the story of abdulrahman zeitoun, the syrianamerican owner of a painting and contracting company in new orleans, louisiana, who chose to ride out hurricane katrina in his uptown home. In postkatrina new orleans, a syrianborn painting contractor assisting in the rescue efforts finds hes suspected of being a terrorist. One of zeitouns older brothers, mohammed was a champion ocean swimmer whose prowess made him a legend in syria and the world in the 1960s. Eggers a coauthor of the screenplay for where the wild things are tells the story of abdulrahman zeitoun, a syrianamerican man who remained in new orleans after hurricane katrina to protect his home and business, and paddled its flooded streets in a canoe, offering his help to other flood victims.

The books bottom line is that zeitouns ordeal could happen to anyone in this country under the right circumstances. If you would like to participate, you can edit one of the articles mentioned below, or visit the project page, where you can join the project and contribute to the general project discussion to talk over new ideas and. If it available for your country it will shown as book reader and user fully subscribe will benefit by having full access to all books. In 2009, dave eggers selfpublished zeitoun, a wellreceived nonfiction volume which told the story of a hardworking syrianamerican painter in new orleans who emerged as a hero during hurricane katrina. One day, his bike got a flat tire and zeitoun panics.

Discussing dave eggers zeitoun earlier this month my book group discussed dave eggers zeitoun. I found much of it plodding and poorly written disappointing in light of eggers considerable literary talent. Zeitoun, 54, is back where he was seven years ago in a new orleans jail on three charges of soliciting murder, said remi braden, a police spokeswoman. Kathy and zeitoun have a very solid and mutually respectful relationship throughout the book, and much of her section of the book revolves around her resistance to accepting that zeitoun may have. One of zeitoun s older brothers, mohammed was a champion ocean swimmer whose prowess made him a legend in syria and the world in the 1960s. Zeitoun is told through the perspective of a thirdperson narrator who details events with knowledge of the future and some characters inner thoughts. Free download or read online zeitoun pdf epub book. Celebrated hero in zeitoun book faces murder charges in. Dave eggers, national book award finalist, refuses to. Zeitoun by dave eggers supersummary by supersummary author visit amazons supersummary page. Zeitouns middle daughter, who is seven years old during hurricane katrina.

The book also traces the story of zeitoun s wife kathy a boisterous southerner who converted to islam and their wonderful, funny, devoted family. Does the story of what happened to zeitoun have more impact as it is told by both of them and by dave eggers in a rather matteroffact narrative instead of a histrionic tabloid style piece. Zeitoun viewed mohammed as a role model, and inherited his love of adventure and spirit. As a child, zeitoun and his brothers were always around water, and after spending time at sea with his brother ahmad, zeitoun landed in houston, tx, and then moved to new orleans. Kathys son from her first marriage, zachary, is already there. Jul 23, 2019 not surprisingly, my book clubs discussion of zeitoun was very tinged y the controversy surrounding the main subject and his family. The couple bickers, with kathy growing frustrated by zeitouns stubbornness about everything, but they clearly have a. Book depository books with free delivery worldwide. The book also traces the story of zeitouns wife kathy a boisterous southerner who converted to islam and their wonderful, funny, devoted family. Zeitoun characters from litcharts the creators of sparknotes.

She is five years old in 2005, and is the most dramatically effected by her fathers imprisonment. The revelations last year of abdulrahman zeitouns violence came as a shock to many who had read zeitoun, a 2009 book by acclaimed author dave eggers. A devout muslim, he has also embraced his adopted country as well as the city of new orleans, which he has come to. Zeitoun is set in new orleans, louisiana, and begins with the protagonist abdulrahman zeitoun known by his last name and his wife kathy preparing to send their children nademah, aisha, and safiya to school. Zeitoun is a nonfiction book written by dave eggers and published by mcsweeneys in 2009. Zeitouns youngest child during the period covered in the book. What are some of the ways in which the descriptions here draw you in as a reader, and make these people and their situation real. Featured content includes commentary on major characters, 25 important quotes, essay topics, and key themes like bearing witness and islamophobia.

The story is told primarily from the perspective of its protagonist, abdulrahman zeitounwho simply goes by zeitoun. Dec 09, 2012 eggerss zeitoun is a loving family man peaceful, calm, and devoted to his wife. The book s bottom line is that zeitoun s ordeal could happen to anyone in this country under the right circumstances. This is a fantastic book, my best of read in some time, bar none.

Earlier this month my book group discussed dave eggers zeitoun. Zeitoun is an immigrant from syria who experiences trauma witnessing the aftermath of hurricane katrina and being unlawfully imprisoned because of his race and religion in the anarchy that swept the city after. Welcome,you are looking at books for reading, the zeitoun, you will able to read or download in pdf or epub books and notice some of author may have lock the live reading for some of country. He decides to stay in new orleans to ride out the storm, and pays the consequences. The book fostered a wonderful discussion and many admitted that they knew little about hurricane katrina, the. A work of nonfiction, zeitoun takes a look at hurricane katrina and how one syrianamerican man and his family are swept into a terrible storm of a different kind in the aftermath of the natural disaster in new orleans. Zeitoun is a syrianamerican man with a growing family and a thriving business in new orleans. It tells the story of abdulrahman zeitoun, the syrianamerican owner of a painting and contracting company in new orleans, louisiana, who chose to ride out hurricane katrina in his uptown home after the hurricane, he traveled the flooded city in a secondhand canoe rescuing neighbors, caring for. Charlie saucier, his boss at the time, saw zeitoun running to get to work on time with his bicycle on his back.

The book has been awarded with american book award 2010. Zeitoun is both a a scathing condemnation of bushera policies and the egregious mishandling of the hurricane katrina recovery and a story of one familys undying faith and strength in the face of disaster. Without someone guiding us, zeitoun finished, wouldnt the stars and moon fall to earth, wouldnt the oceans overrun the land. Any vessel, any carrier of humans, needs a captain, yes. Zeitoun is certainly a notable book and deserving of all the praise its received, but its not flawless. Zeitouns grandmother had stayed put during countless storms in her home on arwad island, and he planned to do the same. Zeitoun rescues several people and thinks it is gods will that he stays and helps during the catastrophe rather than take care of his. He is arrested with zeitoun under terrorism and looting charges.

Feb 24, 2011 this is a fantastic book, my best of read in some time, bar none. This study guide consists of approximately 33 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of zeitoun. Then, on september 6th, police officers armed with m16s arrest zeitoun in his home. Zeitoun reads like a novel, and eggers empathetic storytelling elicits. It was good to talk about it with some other people but this was a delicate discussion to have so i didnt take notes on all things that were said in an effort to keep this blog free from as much political discussion as possible.

How did including the perspectives of both kathy and abdulrahman affect the way you read the book. It was good to talk about it with some other people but this was a delicate discussion to have so i didnt take notes on all things that were said in an effort to. This article is within the scope of wikiproject childrens literature, a collaborative effort to improve the coverage of childrens literature on wikipedia. Its compelling both in its story and in the telling. Quicklet on dave eggerss zeitoun cliffnoteslike summary. Not by the story the characters, primarly the eponymous name character, abdulrahman zeitoun, are nuanced, courageous individuals who captura the at once deeply personal and universal nature of katrina and its aftermath. Zeitoun summary zeitoun, tells the story of abdulrahman zeitoun, a syrianamerican, who lived with his wife and children in new orleans in 2005 when the city was hit by katrina, the category 5 hurricane that literally destroyed the city and changed it forever. Dave eggers, national book award finalist, refuses to answer. A friend of yukos who hosts kathy and her family in houston. His death at the age of 24 car accident left an indelible mark of sorrow on the zeitoun family.

As a piece of writing, eggerss book is sublime simple and unintrusive in style. Kathy zeitoun decries exhusbands acquittal on charges he. An acquaintance of zeitoun, and another syrian immigrant who left the country in. Here he chronicles the kafkaesque tribulations of syrianamerican abdulrahman zeitoun in the wake of hurricane katrina.

The captain was taken with the beauty of the metaphor, and let his silence imply surrender. Book groups will also find good fuel for discussion here. Jonathan demmes animated film based on eggerss book might have to be put on hold, considering zeitoun. Zeitoun is originally from syria but moved to the united states after living a fulfilling life on the sea. When zeitoun vanishes, kathy is left to make sense of the surreal atmosphere in new orleans and the united states generally in which what happened to abdulrahman zeitoun was possible. Character grid name abdulrahman zeitoun kathy zeitoun role in story zeitoun is the protagonist of the story. After spending years as a sailor traveling all around the world, zeitoun moved to baton rouge, louisiana, where he met his wife kathy, and then to new orleans.