46 pages • 1 hour read
Dave EggersZeitoun
Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2009A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Zeitoun by Dave Eggers recounts Syrian American Abdulrahman Zeitoun's trials during and after Hurricane Katrina. Zeitoun stays in New Orleans to protect their property business while his wife, Kathy, and their children evacuate. Zeitoun uses a canoe to help others, but is unjustly arrested, facing harsh treatment that reveals systemic failures, paranoia, and religious intolerance. The book addresses arrest and detention-related trauma.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Zeitoun by Dave Eggers receives acclaim for its compelling narrative and vivid portrayal of post-Katrina New Orleans, spotlighting issues of justice and human rights. Critics highlight the book’s strong character development and thought-provoking themes. However, some reviews note pacing issues and question the book's factual reliability. Overall, it’s a powerful, though occasionally uneven, read.
Who Should Read Zeitoun?
A reader who would enjoy Zeitoun by Dave Eggers is likely drawn to powerful narratives of resilience and social justice. Fans of The Blind Side by Michael Lewis or What Is the What by Eggers himself will appreciate the gripping true story that explores human courage amidst the chaos of Hurricane Katrina.
RecommendedReading Age
18+yearsLexile Level
840LBook Details
Gender / Feminism
Natural Disaster
Women's Studies (Nonfiction)
September 11 Attacks
Identity: Gender
Creative Nonfiction
Modern Classic Fiction
Biography