# Yet Another Review That Does Not Contain the Word 'Pirates'

In Which the Author Goes a Little Funny in the Head

(To set the scene: Dave Eggers, whom we love (although it must be
admitted that his celebrity is getting seriously out of hand), [invited
readers](http://www.mcsweeneys.net/news/) to submit fanciful reviews of
[his book](isbn:0684863472) to Amazon.com. The review below is one I
submitted, although it never made it on to Amazon. (Amazon played along
for a while, but eventually began rejecting all “creative” reviews.)
Which is perhaps a good thing, because I was clearly in a very strange
(and possibly not very funny) mood when I wrote it. Nevertheless, I
present it here, because I do not like to waste things.)

Yet Another Review That Does Not Contain the Word “Pirates”\
Reviewer: Michael Stillwell from Melbourne, Australia

I was 23 years old when I started reading this book and when I finished
it I was 23 years old too. It’s just that kind of book. You can read it
many, many times and not get any older. Or taller, even. Most books you
come across these days make you taller. I hate it when they do that.
It’s really sneaky of them, don’t you think? I know I do. But this book,
by Mr. Dave Eggers, will not make you taller. That’s why I like this
book, A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius, by Mr. Dave Eggers.
Also, on page 43, there is a description of a Swedish man, who buys a
small box of red pencils for his kid sister, that is very moving. The
End.