Faced with the sharp distinction between American and Saudi Arabian culture, Alan begins challenging not just his prejudices but also his life vision. All of these variables which previously remained prerequisites for his perceived safety show themselves as illusions during his trip. Ungrounded, Alan has lost everything which he built his life around: wife, daughter, career, bodily health, home country. Although their relationship is unconventional, they are both divorcees and benefit from one another's understanding.

His presentation fails, but along the way he falls for his doctor, Zahra. After repeatedly being denied audience with the king for the presentation, struggling to obtain sufficient internet or housing for the project, and dealing with a disturbingly large lump on his back, Alan has been laid waste. In light of his recent employment change, he is already experiencing immense pressure to succeed on this trip, yet everything goes wrong. He's painfully aware of how his decisions have effected her. She's angry with both parents for how they handled their marriage, but Alan patiently reminds her that she's young and could stand to be more kind. Having recently completed a messy divorce, Alan calls his daughter, Kit when he arrives in Saudi Arabia. Within the thinly veiled narrative, readers are forced to encounter these struggles alongside Alan, giving them a certain plausible deniability.

By sending his protagonist, Alan Clay, to Saudi Arabia for an important contract, Eggers places the audience at a comfortable distance from the actual horrors of aging. Written by people who wish to remain anonymousĭave Eggers explores the existential challenges of middle age in his novel A Hologram for the King. We are thankful for their contributions and encourage you to make your own. These notes were contributed by members of the GradeSaver community.

A hologram for the king by dave eggers