Zeitoun by Dave Eggers

() This work of non-fiction reads like a skillfully-fabricated novel. It's put together through various records and verbal accounts of a Muslim family who lived through the horror of Hurricane Katrina.

It's slow going as it builds up the characters, but soon news of the impending storm comes. Zeitoun, the father of the Muslim family, decides to stay in New Orleans and watch over their properties while his family evacuates. As is well known, the storm reaches unimagined levels, and all their possessions are destroyed. Still, Zeitoun decides to stay as he makes it his mission to help save anyone trapped or hurt in the city. He uses his canoe to travel through the flood waters.

However, the city is in chaos and Zeitoun eventually finds himself arrested and suspected of terrorism. He is of course innocent, but is held unjustly under uncivilized, disorganized, tortuous conditions. The book goes into a good amount of detail and further explains the effects on his family and friends.

It's an intriguing read that is also educational.