I was familiar with Etgar Keret’s wacky magical realism before reading this collection, and because the story that I read most recently was so hilarioI was familiar with Etgar Keret’s wacky magical realism before reading this collection, and because the story that I read most recently was so hilarious, I went into this book expecting to laugh on every page. It wasn’t like that; some of it is actually sad, which took a bit of an adjustment. But sadness is a big part of life, as well as the flip side of humor, so good writing draws from both. What was harder to get used to were the stories with ambiguous endings. I found those so unsatisfying, I considered docking a star. But I can’t give Etgar Keret less than a 5. He’s original, he’s mostly funny, and he melds together the Israeli spirit with the Jewish religious tradition so that they don’t conflict. If I ever get a chance to meet him, I want to ask if he believes in G-d. My guess is yes, based on the story “Pick a Color.” But my absolute favorite in the collection was “Lieland.” It’s both a morality tale and a statement about storytelling. Keret is truly a master of it.
If you haven’t exposed yourself to Etgar Keret yet, this is a good collection to start with. All his stories are short, so you can breeze right through them. But be prepared: he’s going to take you some places you won’t ever suspect....more
I knew this was the book for me from the very first page. The author self-deprecatingly calls himself "an escapist," and goes on to describe his mind-I knew this was the book for me from the very first page. The author self-deprecatingly calls himself "an escapist," and goes on to describe his mind-numbing office job. Since I'm stuck in a boring job myself, it felt all too familiar when he reiterated the wisdom of the world: "How else do you expect to get ahead?"
"The question altogether misses the point," writes the author. "The escapist doesn't want to get ahead. He simply wants to get away."
Now THAT is a man after my own heart.
The author gets an advance to write a travel book about some exotic subtropical island, so naturally, he ditches the office job. The main ritual item and recreational activity on this island is centered around one of its native fruits. The fruit has psychedelic properties, so people make a juice from it and drink it. Talk about getting away! As you'd expect, a big comedy of errors follows, most notably because the juice is brewed differently between localities, so once the author thinks he's finally gotten used to the stuff, he visits a new town and ends up taking a much more potent dose than he was prepared for.
Though none of the book quite measured up to the high expectations set by the first page, it was definitely a fun read. Think Bill Bryson on psychedelics. Like Bill Bryson, he has comedic encounters with strange and scary new animals, too.
I can see why this book wouldn't be for everyone, but if you're willing to laugh and mind-expansion and the brick wall of human limitation, you might really enjoy this book....more
It's been over two decades since I read the Hitchhiker's Guide trilogy, but if you love lovable loser Arthur Dent, then you'll enjoy seeing him happy It's been over two decades since I read the Hitchhiker's Guide trilogy, but if you love lovable loser Arthur Dent, then you'll enjoy seeing him happy at last in this book. The overall ending of the story is as absurdist as the rest of Adams' sense of humor, and in fact, it's rather atheistic, but if you can just get a laugh out of it, you'll enjoy the book. ...more
Since Trump's election, I've read many serious books analyzing how America got to what I, along with many others, consider a crisis of democracy, so iSince Trump's election, I've read many serious books analyzing how America got to what I, along with many others, consider a crisis of democracy, so it was refreshing to read a parody about it. The authors are two experienced Trump satirists: Alec Baldwin, who has been mimicking Trump on SNL all year, and Kurt Andersen, who has been lampooning him in print since the 1980's. A particularly funny touch to the book is that instead of the usual glowing review copy that graces the back flap, this one has an insult from the real Donald Trump about each of the two authors and how unfunny they are.
The book takes you through all the familiar events of the last year since Trump's election. The staffing changes are there, as are darker things, like Putin, North Korea, and Charlottesville, though they're not the main thing. I suppose the authors wanted to leave the serious stuff to serious analysts; they concentrate on parodying Trump's arrogance, incompetence, and growing instability. How It All Ends, which is the question on many of our minds, did not make me laugh, but perhaps it shouldn't. After all, there are many ways it could end, and some of them might not be a triumph for democracy. That being the case, if you do feel we're in crisis, and you're active in "the resistance" in some capacity, I recommend this book to you. Protecting democracy against those who would subvert it is no easy task. We might as well laugh along the way. ...more
I’ve never been able to get through even the first chapter of Ivanhoe, though I have tried, if only for the literary history of the positively portrayI’ve never been able to get through even the first chapter of Ivanhoe, though I have tried, if only for the literary history of the positively portrayed Jewish character, Rebecca. I knew the story from the movie, and not the classic Errol Flynn version, but a made-for-TV adaptation from the early 80’s starring Anthony Andrews. Naturally, I was enthralled by Rebecca, though I did understand precisely why Ivanhoe would choose Rowena in the end. But many people have felt differently, including satirist William Makepeace Thackeray, so this novella is his light-hearted attempt to right that literary “mistake.”
Now, not only have I never read Ivanhoe, I’ve never read any Thackeray either, though I did go in with positive feeling toward him because he encouraged Charlotte Bronte when she sent him her manuscript of Jane Eyre. I did enjoy the satiric tone of the book; this is classic British humor, and it’s applied to that most foolhardy of times, the age of chivalry knights. But my husband, who read the book before I did, forewarned me about the ending. So to all you Jews drawn to Rebecca for the more or less the same reasons that I am, prepare to be disappointed. ...more
It's easy to see the through line between this book and Ansari's Netflix series, "Master of None." Both have light-hearted, comic tones, but are exploIt's easy to see the through line between this book and Ansari's Netflix series, "Master of None." Both have light-hearted, comic tones, but are exploring much deeper sociological issues. The book is exclusively about finding romance in today's digital world, and the TV show explores more issues than that, but as I said, the through line is clear. More than that, it isn't redundant. It's fun to see how Ansari adapted his ideas from print to screen.
But like most books about dating, this book made me glad I've been out of the scene for so long. The hook-up culture is NOT for me. And I'm sure he portrayed it accurately because what he said about marriage rang so true. Passionate love lasts a year to eighteen months. After that, you've got to transition to companionate love. Some people find that boring, but part of growing up is realizing that life isn't all about passion. Since Ansari is now in a committed relationship himself, I guess he learned that also.
How I wish I would have had this book when I was younger! Who knows? Perhaps it might have saved me some heartache!...more
Except for Strunk and White’s guide, this is probably the most famous modern grammar book ever written, and it’s funny to boot. The author knows how dExcept for Strunk and White’s guide, this is probably the most famous modern grammar book ever written, and it’s funny to boot. The author knows how disliked grammar sticklers are, so she starts off making jokes at her own expense. From there, she gives amusing examples of how punctuation changes the meanings of sentences, which is where the title comes from. By then, you’ll be sold on her overall message: correct grammar is important. The concluding chapter reveals what probably prompted her to write the book: it’s a rant about the decline of grammar and especially punctuation in the Internet age. Mind you, the book was published in 2003, before texting was in vogue and before Twitter even existed.
And now that I’ve mentioned Twitter, I want to share a cautionary tale. This book makes such a compelling case for good grammar, it prompted me to correct someone on Twitter. Note that I said, “someone,” as in one person. I did not appoint myself Grammar Cop of the Internet, though I was accused of it. I just thought a particular mistake was marring an otherwise important message, so I suggested its author edit the post. As I should have predicted, I caught flak for it. Errors in print literature are one thing, I was told, but on Twitter, where messages are usually punched in on phones with autocorrect, errors should be overlooked. So the moral of the story is that if you read this book and want to improve your own grammar and usage, the book will have accomplished its goal, but don’t try and correct other people. You’ll just put them on the defensive. The best we sticklers can hope for is that our own hyper-edited posts will, without necessarily being noticed for it, keep our collective conversation from sinking further....more
Fans of the McCourt brothers will be sorry to hear that Malachy, though second oldest, is the last survivor among them. Now in his mid-eighties, he haFans of the McCourt brothers will be sorry to hear that Malachy, though second oldest, is the last survivor among them. Now in his mid-eighties, he has applied his irreverent sense of humor to that most taboo of subjects: death. His first brush with death is one that McCourt readers will already be familiar with: the deaths of his baby sister and toddler twin brothers. The euphemisms and half-truths he was told about what happened to them left him in utter confusion. As he grew older, more of his schoolmates would die, and combined with other hypocrisies he encountered in the Church, he lost faith in the Heaven he was taught about. Throughout the book, he reflects on the afterlife, but along the way, he also pays tribute to the people he’s lost over the years. The chapter on Frank brought tears to my eyes.
Death is not an unpleasant subject in Malachy McCourt’s hands. Some parts of the book made me laugh out loud. But you need some familiarity with the McCourt family to appreciate the book. Angela's Ashes is such a classic, everyone should read it anyway. I wouldn’t go so far as to call this book a classic, but it’s a somewhat light-hearted look at a heavy subject, and with Malachy McCourt’s distinctive voice, it’s sometimes outrageously funny but mostly a gentle read....more
Poor Malachy McCourt. When his book came out, the critics said, “He’s not Frank.” Goodreads reviewers echoed the same sentiment. But I don’t think thePoor Malachy McCourt. When his book came out, the critics said, “He’s not Frank.” Goodreads reviewers echoed the same sentiment. But I don’t think there was much rivalry between them. They shared their fame the same way they pooled money to bring their younger brothers and mother over to the States. Their first writing project was a collaboration - a two-man play I haven’t read yet. And then came the books, which include some interesting overlaps. Malachy depicts Frank as a real gentleman, which comes across in Frank’s own books and the interviews available on Youtube. Frank depicts the child Malachy as a “dote” who could charm any roomful of people and the life of every party in adulthood. That outgoingness definitely comes across in this book, and also, in any interview with Malachy you might want to catch on Youtube.
So it’s true that this book does not have the literary grace of Frank’s books, but my gosh, it’s funny! It’s also a bit ribald; Malachy tells you all about “sampling the fleshpots” in his travels from India to Europe. For that reason, I should probably put it on my “Regrettable Reads” shelf, but I can’t regret anything that made me laugh that hard. Frank’s books also made me laugh hard, but not as much as this. The man who drives me to work wondered, “What are you reading back there?” So I’m definitely looking forward to the resolution of Malachy’s story with his next memoir: how he got sober and lived happily ever after. ...more
I don't care what anyone else says. Malachy McCourt is just a good a writer as his Pulitzer prize-winning brother. His powers of description transportI don't care what anyone else says. Malachy McCourt is just a good a writer as his Pulitzer prize-winning brother. His powers of description transport you right into the scene. Mostly it's a hoot, but he weaves in his battles with his dark demons in just the right balance.
I knew the book was about Malachy's recovery from alcoholism, so I was expecting more about the Twelve Steps, which I've become a fan of recently. There wasn't as much about it as I'd hoped, but what the narrative lacked in quantity, it made up for in quality. My favorite insight completely confirmed what I've been gathering from other people's accounts, but with the unique McCourt stamp. Malachy is famous for his quip, "I'm an atheist, thank G-d." He used it in this book, and he still says it now. He, like Frank, and for that matter Angela herself, was turned off to the Church he knew in his youth, and always equated religion and spirituality. But at AA, he saw that people were practicing genuine spirituality. It's not just submission to the Higher Power. Members help one another struggle against their most deep-seated urges toward negative behavior. Making amends for the past is also part of the program. And that is what religion and community should be about, not just dogma. As a religious person, I always thought it was lame when people said, "I'm spiritual, but not religious," but now I think otherwise.
The surprise in the book was the story of Malachy's radio and acting career, including his sojourn to Hollywood. Hollywood failure stories turn out to be as interesting as Hollywood success stories. How many of us go chasing after a golden dream, only to find that we can find happiness in our own lives after all?
That's the main theme of the book: you can go all over the world in pursuit of a happy life, but in the end, you've got to learn to be satisfied with whatever you get. You can never change your past, but you can enjoy your present. And if all that sounds common-sense or even cliche, it isn't in Malachy's voice. He's got so many funny and colorful stories to tell, the journey through the ups and downs of his life is pure pleasure....more
I’ve decided to go on a McCourt Brothers binge, and this was my first taste of the writings of the younger brother, Malachy. I chose it because it’s aI’ve decided to go on a McCourt Brothers binge, and this was my first taste of the writings of the younger brother, Malachy. I chose it because it’s a short book that got me to my 2016 reading goal quickly, and it was sort of a break from the heavy and depressing book I’m reading now. This was rather depressing, too, but at least there are jokes along the way.
The book is a satirical screed against George W. Bush and the Iraq War, but because it was written in 2004, I alternated between thinking that I ought to go back to reading something more current and being knocked out by all the parallels. For example, the book points out several times that Bush was not elected president. As we all know, Trump lost the popular vote by an even wider margin. What is Malachy saying now?
I desperately hope that Trump will not lead us into war as Bush did. The book cites that the Iraq War cost $750,000 a minute and $45 million an hour. No wonder his presidency ended in deep recession. Malachy contrasts this throughout the book to budget cuts on social services and kick-backs to Bush’s corporate cronies. I sincerely hope that Trump avoids war, but I have no doubt that he and his inner circle are going to make plenty of money while he’s in power, and all on the people’s backs.
This is not a feel-good book. It also may not be the most important book you can read in these days before Trump takes office. But sometimes, a look at the recent past can give us hints of what to avoid in the future. Organize! ...more
Though the title of this book claims it's for kids, it really isn't. It's a Dr. Seuss-style book in which Trump is the bofa on the sofa. I can't see sThough the title of this book claims it's for kids, it really isn't. It's a Dr. Seuss-style book in which Trump is the bofa on the sofa. I can't see spending money on it, not even as a gift, but if you happen to be browsing around a bookstore, it's a fun and topical way to spend five to ten minutes in this strange and tense election year....more
I first heard of this book through Outwitting History; it is one of a select group of rescued Yiddish books that the Yiddish Book Center chose to tranI first heard of this book through Outwitting History; it is one of a select group of rescued Yiddish books that the Yiddish Book Center chose to translate into English, presumably because it offers such a rare glimpse into Jewish life in the early Soviet Union. Published as a serialized novel in the 1920’s and 30’s, it tells the story of the Zelmanyaners, the children and grandchildren of Reb Zelmele and Bobbe Bashe, who all live in one shtetl courtyard. Historically, this was a time of terrible assimilation, but while author Moyshe Kulbak is not a traditionalist and does not seem to mourn the younger generation’s loss of Torah, he definitely pokes fun at their ignorance. In general, he is less sympathetic to them than to the older generation, though they, too, have their foibles. The most hateful character is Tonke, doctrinaire communist and rebel daughter of the pious Aunt Gitta, but Tonke gets some stiff competition from the gossipy and unnamed wife of Uncle Folye, of whom it is written, “The smaller the heart, the bigger the mouth.” Now that’s Yiddish wisdom!
Because the book was published as a serial over a long period of time, it mostly reads like a comic strip - a series of unconnected vignettes about familiar characters. The ending, however, ties it all together, and it’s as poignant as “Anatevka” in “Fiddler on the Roof,” except it’s the Soviet era, not Czarist Russia.
Any Jew interested in history will appreciate this book, but as I said, it is not pro-religion. Neither does it seem to be anti-religion, as the most rebellious characters are portrayed quite negatively. But on this note, I must warn my religious friends that pre-marital and extra-marital affairs are part of the plot. Communists disdained marriage as a bourgeois construct just as they did religion.
The most mourned loss in the book seems to be not for Jewish life, but for the private ownership of small-time artisans. It is quite amazing that Kulbak was able to publish such sly social commentary under Stalin’s rule, but it did eventually catch up to him, and he was executed for it. The Yiddish Book Center therefore made a wise choice in preserving his work. His original audience was made of Jews who could laugh at the Zelmenyaners while completely relating to them because they were living through the very same upheaval. For us today, the book is a vivid slice of life from a vanished world. Unlike “Fiddler on the Roof,” it’s neither romantic nor nostalgic, but it is descriptive, and because of that, Moyshe Kulbak is a voice worth listening to. ...more
Of all of Bill Bryson’s books, I didn’t intend this one to be my follow-up read to A Walk in the Woods. I was more interested in One Summer: America, Of all of Bill Bryson’s books, I didn’t intend this one to be my follow-up read to A Walk in the Woods. I was more interested in One Summer: America, 1927, but it wasn’t at my library. Notes from a Small Island was my second choice, but when my son, the nature lover, expressed an interest in seeing Australia, I took both books out. My husband grabbed Notes, and my son was still reading A Walk in the Woods, so journey to Australia it was.
I do have some partiality to Australia anyway, even though I’ve never been there. When I was a kid, I had a pen pal from Sydney named Linda. She had dark brown hair and big blue eyes. “I have never seen snow,” she told me in her first letter. My fondest memory connected with her happened at my eighth birthday party. Right when I was opening my presents, the mailman rang the doorbell with a package for me. It was a gift from Linda: a furry stuffed koala bear. It couldn’t have arrived at a better moment; it was like Linda was at my birthday party. It wasn’t a cloth doll either. It felt like real fur. Sorry, vegan friends, but I cherished that thing for years.
The book was very much in the style of A Walk in the Woods in that it alternated between Bryson’s travels, history, and science. Unlike A Walk in the Woods, Bryson had no steady travel companion in this book to get into scrapes with, so the laughs weren’t as frequent, but what was lacking in quantity was made up for in quality. In other words, the book didn’t make me laugh as often, but when it did, I laughed harder.
Most of the jokes involved Bryson imagining a painful death in an encounter with one of Australia’s many deadly animals and plants. It’s not just cuddly koalas living down under! Most of the science was about that, but me being me, I preferred the history. He devoted a full chapter to the genocide of the Aborigines, which Australians themselves tend to cover up. He also discussed Australia’s open immigration policy after World War II. Most of the immigrants then and now are Asians, but I happen to know, even though Bryson didn’t mention it, that Australia accepted a greater percentage of Holocaust survivors, in proportion to its overall population size, than the United States. Just about every Australian Jew I have ever met is a grandchild of a Holocaust survivor. That’s not so for most American Jews I know, including myself. My family got to the States much earlier.
All in all, Bryson makes Australia seem like a fascinating place to visit, though he also makes it clear that large parts of it are completely deserted and nearly uninhabitable. And since it’s unlikely that I’ll ever get there myself, I’m grateful for Bryson for his thorough, entertaining and informative account. ...more
Just as there are impulse purchases, there are also impulse reads. Usually a book will spend months on my “to-read” shelf before I get to it, but someJust as there are impulse purchases, there are also impulse reads. Usually a book will spend months on my “to-read” shelf before I get to it, but sometimes, something prompts me to get hold of a book the very same day I first hear of it. In this case, it was the movie ad now prominently displayed here on Goodreads, but the deciding factor was the consistent appearance of one word on other people’s reviews: funny.
The book is about travel writer Bill Bryson, who, in his mid-forties, decides to hike the Appalachian Trail with his even more out-of-shape friend Stephen Katz. (In the movie, they will be portrayed by Robert Redford and Nick Nolte, who are several decades older than that.) The book was just as funny as everyone said, and I laughed out loud more than once. But it also makes clear some of the many things that can go wrong on a major hike, like hypothermia and bear attacks. Those parts weren’t funny at all. Since I have a son who dreams of a back-to-nature lifestyle, I now know that he’d better go out into those woods well-equipped, well-informed, and ideally, with an experienced friend or two. Either that or, like Bungalow Bill, in case of accidents, he’ll have to take his Mom.
Of all books I’ve previously read, I found this most similar to The Big Year by Mark Obmascik in that it alternates from the adventures of the two guys to more informational sections, explaining things like the history of the Trail and forest ecology. Mark Obmascik wrote another book about his own hiking adventure, but that didn’t grab me the way this one did. The humor made the difference. Bill Bryson’s self-deprecating jokes begin on the very first page.
Stephen Katz by far is the funniest personage in the book, but some of the other quirky hikers they meet on the way come close. The parts when Bryson hikes alone are boring by comparison. But all in all, it was the perfect light fare between heavy books, and with a little history and science thrown in, it’s just meaty enough that’s it’s not all fluff. So I’m looking forward to more from Bryson. He may just end up my go-to for light reading for a while. ...more
I was never a particular fan of David Brinkley, but the title of this book was such a winner, I figured, why not? It's a collection of his sign-offs aI was never a particular fan of David Brinkley, but the title of this book was such a winner, I figured, why not? It's a collection of his sign-offs at the end of his weekly show between the years 1982 and 1995, and it turned out to be a fun romp through recent history (recent meaning, in my lifetime). It made me laugh quite a few times. You know that saying that the more things change, the more they say the same? It came through clearly in this book. The issues that divide us are pretty much the same as ever, but the technology! "Imagine talking cars," he says. "People are buying more computers than televisions, but they don't know what to do with them." Hah! Fun stuff. ...more
Sarah Vowell is one of my favorite writers. She describes herself as a “historian-adjacent nonfiction narrative wise guy,” but I consider her a genuinSarah Vowell is one of my favorite writers. She describes herself as a “historian-adjacent nonfiction narrative wise guy,” but I consider her a genuine historian and genuinely wise. Her signature style is to mix a meticulously researched account of history with snarky comments, but within her analysis come some absolute gems of political insight. This book stays true to her style.
The book begins in 1824 with the return visit of the Marquis de Lafayette to America, but it is mostly it is about the American Revolutionary War. Sarah describes Lafayette as the best friend America ever had. He was a glory-seeking nineteen-year-old when he volunteered to join the colonial army. By the end of the war, he had matured and seen enough to know to be cautious with the lives of the soldiers in his command.
If there’s one thing that this book makes especially vivid, it’s the hardships of war. Every American has learned about the cold, hard winter at Valley Forge, but Sarah brings it to life like no other author I’ve ever read. She quotes eye-witness accounts, usually Lafayette’s letters home and sometimes the writings of other soldiers. The clearest and most brutal image I now have of Valley Forge is the bloody footprints of the colonial soldiers who had to march barefoot over ice and snow. Even worse is the reason they were so ill-equipped: tax squabbles. Of course, the whole war was being fought over tax squabbles, but there’s a difference between a punitive tax policy and taxes for basic needs, like feeding and clothing the people risking their lives for liberty.
Under these conditions, it’s not surprising that there was plenty of desertion amongst the rank and file, but there was plenty of dissension in the uppermost ranks, too. Most of us think of George Washington as a celebrated hero, but in his own time, there were several attempts to sack him. Lafayette remained his loyal defender through it all.
I will admit that the sections describing military strategy made for dull reading. In general, I find military strategy difficult to follow, so there were some sections I had to re-read. At other times, my mind just wandered. I considered taking away a star for that, but I decided it was my failing, not the book’s. If anything, it proves that this is a “genuine” history book, and not “history adjacent.” As much as I love learning history, if a history book doesn’t have some dull parts, it comes across as too light-weight to me. Sarah’s books offset the dull parts with jokes, personal narrative, and forays into pop culture. Some may call that light-weight, too, but I say this is her most scholarly work yet. She really packed in the historical detail.
After painting the dreary picture of the travails of the colonial army, Sarah explains how we won: foreign aid. Other Frenchmen followed Lafayette’s lead and volunteered, as did a disgraced German officer named von Steuben, who drilled the rank and file until they could hold their own in battle. Ultimately, France provided the naval help that won the decisive battle of the war. So the book is not just a tribute to Lafayette, but to France itself.
Sarah began writing it after French fries were renamed “freedom fries” because France refused to participate in the Iraq War. Anti-France feeling was rampant then. But I happened to read this book in a week when sympathy for France was running high, the week of a deadly terrorist attack. This particular history lesson – that the United States owes its liberty to France – could not have come at a more meaningful time. So given the current climate, I recommend reading the book right away. It will make you a more grateful American.
After reading something that was supposed to be edifying and wasn’t, it was sheer fun to read something just for laughs that actually delivered. This After reading something that was supposed to be edifying and wasn’t, it was sheer fun to read something just for laughs that actually delivered. This is classic, wry British humor – upper crust snobs making fools of themselves in an absolutely ridiculous situation. The situation is this: Sir Galahad, a real man about town in his youth, has written his memoirs, and they include dirty secrets on a whole lot of people. All of them are interested in destroying the manuscript, but the publisher, who knows it’s a potential bestseller, is doing his best to get his hands on it, too. Throw in a couple of star-crossed lovers and a half-senile older brother obsessed with his prize-winning pig, and you’ve got one deliciously convoluted plot.
The whole time I was reading this, I kept thinking how well it would lend itself to a movie adaptation. Well, it turns out that the TV movie was made by the BBC in 1995, starring Peter O’Toole as Sir Galahad. I’ve given up movies through Chodesh Cheshvan, and planning on cutting down all year, but this one is on my to-see list.
Apparently, the book is a sequel, but it works very well as a stand-alone. So if you’re in the mood for something silly yet intelligent, give this a try. You won’t be disappointed. ...more
Reading this book was like reading my own life in a parallel universe. For part of his childhood, author Gary Shteyngart lived mere blocks from where Reading this book was like reading my own life in a parallel universe. For part of his childhood, author Gary Shteyngart lived mere blocks from where I was growing up, which means we were neighbors for those years because he is only four years younger than I am. He also had the education I’ve always wished for myself: a Hebrew elementary school (right across from where I took piano lessons) and Stuyvesant High School (where my best friend went, leaving me desperately lonely in ninth grade). Now that I’ve read this book, I realize those wishes for myself wouldn’t necessarily have spelled out a better life. Gary was bullied in the Hebrew school and introduced to pot-smoking at Stuyvesant. I wasn’t introduced to pot until college – which is when he took it to new levels of abuse – but it all goes to prove that most people, no matter where they go to school, end up making the same regrettable mistakes.
Now that I’ve established the similarities, I’ll go for the differences. Gary was born Igor Shteyngart in the former Soviet Union. He didn’t settle in Queens until he was about seven, and a large part of the reason he was bullied was that he was an immigrant and therefore “weird” in his classmates’ eyes. The book begins and ends in Russia; it starts with his early childhood and ends with a visit back to his birthplace with his parents in 2011. Along the way, he confronts all the darkness of his soul: his desperation to “fit in” in America, his first few romantic disasters, and above all, a lifetime of verbal abuse from his parents. But don’t worry; he’s funny, so there are a few laugh-out-loud moments and most definitely redemption, not just in his final trip to Russia, but in the story of the publication of his first book. I can only hope that’s another parallel to my own life. You see, thanks to Gary Shteyngart, I’ve begun working on my own memoir (again). If one awkward Jewish kid from Queens can do it, so can another. So, thank you, Gary Shteyngart. You get 5 grateful stars. ...more
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