Chapter 1 Summary and Analysis

A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius is a memoir by magazine editor Dave Eggers. The book tells the story of how Dave's parents die of cancer within five weeks of each other and leave Dave and his siblings custody of their seven year old brother, Toph. Dave tells his story with his trademark satire dripping from every word, allowing the reader to follow him on the ride from total irresponsibility to maturity and acceptance. This memoir is memorable and indeed heartbreaking, leaving the reader touched and yet strangely amused.

Dave is sitting in the living room with his mother watching television. Dave's mother, who suffers from stomach cancer, has a nose bleed. Dave watches her holding a towel to her nose while spitting into a small, half-moon shaped bowl. Dave's mother is always spitting into the bowl since the doctors removed...