Away We Go

by Dave Eggers, Vendela Vida

The first original screenplay by Dave Eggers and Vendela Vida, Away We Go  is the new movie directed by Academy Award® winner Sam Mendes.

Longtime couple Verona (Maya Rudolph) and Burt (John Krasinski) are expecting a baby, and the impending child's only living grandparents are moving to—where else—Belgium. So Burt and Verona head out on the road, across America, looking for the right place to call home. Along the way they encounter a succession of strange and hilarious friends and relatives (played by a cast that includes Jeff Daniels, Catherine O’Hara, Maggie Gyllenhall, Josh Hamilton, Allison Janney, and Jim Gaffigan), most of whom have no idea what they’re doing. In the end—with and despite the help of those they meet on their journey—Burt and Verona come closer to an understanding of their own definition of home and family.

Genres: Fiction

208 pages, Paperback

First published June 2, 2009

About the author

Dave Eggers is an American writer, editor, and publisher. He is best known for his 2000 memoir, A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius, which became a bestseller and was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for General Nonfiction. Eggers is also the founder of several notable literary and philanthropic ventures, including the literary journal Timothy McSweeney's Quarterly Concern, the literacy project 826 Valencia, and the human rights nonprofit Voice of Witness. Additionally, he founded ScholarMatch, a program that connects donors with students needing funds for college tuition. His writing has appeared in numerous prestigious publications, including The New Yorker, Esquire, and The New York Times Magazine.

Reviews

[Ecem Öngider · Rating 5 out of 5]

just picked it up from the school library without any expectations but it was really good!!! very funny in a charming way and i could just see John Krasinski while reading Burt which made me laugh even harder

[Cory · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first screen play I've read, and what a way to cut the teeth! Unexpected hilarity, charm, depth...The last few pages (of the as-printed movie ending, not the original ending) concreted this as a 5-star read, but the entire book was smiling at me warmly as I was reading it, telling me there'd be five stars all along.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an absolutely amazing book and I think everyone should read it. John Krasinski and Maya Rudolph are two extraordinary actors and I can't wait to see their portrayal of these two characters up on the big screen! :D

[Shauna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the idea of reading the screenplay of a movie, that really all we get is diaglogue to base the characters on. I loved making the characters up in my head off of the brief description. Yet somehow it didn't take away from my movie experience when I went to see it.

[Michelle Gloria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic. Recently rewatched the movie for the millionth time,(I hadn't in a year or two & I had forgotten how great it is), and read & adored the screenplay writing. Lovely dialogue between the two main characters in particular. Go enjoy this immediately if you have yet to! :-)

[becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

josh let me borrow his book (thank you)

[Andrew Farr · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick read. Funny at times and just alright at others. If you've ever felt like you've been in a situation you've had to climb your way out of to survive then you may connect well with this book.

[Marie Paz · Rating 3 out of 5]

What got me interested in this book is the idea of reading the screenplay of a movie, instead of your usual novel-turned-movie.

Another light and easy read :)

[Luca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great script, great movie, great actors.

[Adam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good movie, good screenplay. Fun read, even if you've seen the movie.

[Daren · Rating 4 out of 5]

really glad they rewrote the ending...

[sarah gabriella torres · Rating 4 out of 5]

so cute and funny. dave eggers can do no wrong & i need to watch the movie now

[Beren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charming.