http://www.powells.com/biblio/1-9780812971675-0: Picked as one of the NY Times's top books of 2006, this is the story of Misha, a 325 pound Russian Jew, who wants nothing more than to return to America. After Misha's mafia father murders an American, Misha's chances of legally obtaining a visa are dashed - so he ventures to the country of Absurdistan, where he hopes to buy one on the black market. Civil war erupts - the local government, backed by Halliburton, is mired in corruption - and Misha finds himself stuck in the middle. I was interested in Misha's back story, his interactions with his family, and his quest for love. I was not as interested in the political commentary about the US's love for oil and questionable dictators. This book was at times clever, but I got bored quickly and wasn't that excited about reading it after about 150 pages in. Well-written, but overhyped.
Saturday, May 19, 2007
Absurdistan - Gary Shteyngart
http://www.powells.com/biblio/1-9780812971675-0: Picked as one of the NY Times's top books of 2006, this is the story of Misha, a 325 pound Russian Jew, who wants nothing more than to return to America. After Misha's mafia father murders an American, Misha's chances of legally obtaining a visa are dashed - so he ventures to the country of Absurdistan, where he hopes to buy one on the black market. Civil war erupts - the local government, backed by Halliburton, is mired in corruption - and Misha finds himself stuck in the middle. I was interested in Misha's back story, his interactions with his family, and his quest for love. I was not as interested in the political commentary about the US's love for oil and questionable dictators. This book was at times clever, but I got bored quickly and wasn't that excited about reading it after about 150 pages in. Well-written, but overhyped.
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