What Is the What writes: "Over the course of many years, Dave and I have collaborated to tell my story... I told [him] what I knew and what I could remember, and from that material he created this work of art." The book is typical of Eggers' style: blending non-fictional and fictional elements into a non-fiction novel or memoir. By classifying the book a novel, Eggers says, he freed himself to re-create conversations, streamline complex relationships, add relevant detail and manipulate time and space in helpful ways—all while maintaining the essential truthfulness of the storytelling. However, not all critics were impressed. Lee Siegel sees
The Idiot (album) Trilogy" of albums in its electronic sounds and introspective atmosphere. Its title was inspired by Dostoyevsky's novel "The Idiot", three of the participants in the recording—Bowie, Pop and Tony Visconti—being familiar with the book. The album received critical praise upon release and is regarded by critics as one of Pop's best works, but is not generally considered representative of his output. "The Idiot" has been characterized as a major influence on subsequent post-punk, industrial, and gothic artists. The album's opening track, "Sister Midnight", was written by Bowie, Pop and guitarist Carlos Alomar, and performed live on the "Station to Station"