Absurdistan by Gary Shteyngart - Book Report/Review Example

Absurdistan by Gary Shteyngart A Review Gary Shyteyngart is an American born from Leningrad USA. His first book came in 2003 and was d The Russian Debutante's Handbook. The author's books are filled with humor and a classic portrayal of the Russian society amid the fast changing perspectives about the country in various corners of the modern world. This paper will study the book titled Absudistan by Gary Shteyngart. To begin with, let us touch upon a small summary of the book. This book traces the life and times of the fabulously rich and flamboyant Misha Vainberg. The basic quality of this character lies in his charm. This is a story seen through the eyes of the hero when he migrated to New York at a young age and the country that he fell in love with. Through this journey, the author shows the reader how Misha's ideals are transformed when he is out of the clutches of his capitalistic world and in the midst of opportunity and freedom. The story shows the reader that Misha's first love is New York. (Shteyngart, 2006) Misha's turbulent life begins when his father kills a well known entrepreneur from Oklahoma. Following this event, the entire Vainberg clan is instructed by the INS to stay away from America. In effect, Misha realizes that he has to live his life in St. Petersberg - a place that he does not understand or even want to understand. As the son of the 1,238th richest man in Russia, Misha is the heir apparent to a Soviet fortune that he is not interested in. (Shteyngart, 2006) Misha has only one love in his life - South Bronx. In a bid to return there, he is ready to anything and give up anything. The opportunity to return to his loved land and leave behind the "Leningrad" that fills him with dread, is presented upon the murder of his father at the hands of a fellow Oligarch. This opportunity comes in the form of a Belgian passport that Misha is offered by a corrupt diplomat from Absurdistan. (Shteyngart, 2006) Here, the famous Absurdistan is introduced to the reader. A state that was once a part of the Soviet, Absurdistan is everything that its name promises to be. The author has presented Absurdistan as a land of oil rich entrepreneurs who are constantly on the lookout for more money and more opportunity. Through these portrayals, the author has managed to show the human face of greed and superfluity that comes with money. The story of Absurdistan revolves around the two ethic groups that call themselves Sevo and Svani. (Shteyngart, 2006) These groups have managed to lay claim over Absurdistan and are constantly divided over policies and systems that govern the land. The humor creeps into this aspect of the book as well as the author depicts the very baseless and meaningless intentions of these people and their agendas. In no time at all, the land is lost to the ravages of civil war owing to the lesser sensibilities of both these classes. (Shteyngart, 2006) The basic quality of this book is its brand of humor. The humor that the author uses is designed to bring the reader face to face with the reality of the Russian who is stuck in the typically capitalist world of Russia and how this person tastes freedom and craves for in a democracy like America. Through his sense of humor, the author has managed to pitch two powerful nations and their ideals against one another. Russia and America have been used as large canvasses on which the author has drawn a vivid picture of the life of Misha Vainberg. The use of the countries in this book is another notable quality. Through the portrayals of the two countries, i.e., the United States of America and Russia, the author shows a world of disparity and common factors. Also, he has managed to bring out a theme of multiculturalism in the feel for democracy and other socio political ideals. Through these themes, the author examines various nuances that occupy the agendas of people living and studying abroad like passport and visa issues among various other like language and food as well. In this, the author manages to convey the feeling of mutual admiration where both countries are concerned. He manages to show the plus points and minus points of living in both countries through the eyes of an impressionable Russian. The use of the two countries also puts the reader in a more relaxed mood about issues that are otherwise considered problems in the real world. The author almost emboldens the reader to laugh at the problems and take them in his or her stride. In doing so, the author manages to create an eye opener of sorts. Through the use of America and Russia, the author has managed to bring the reader face to face with a possibility in the modern world known as Absurdistan. (Shteyngart, 2006) This region has been demarcated by constant violence and complete lack of understanding regarding faith and democracy. The book talks about Misha's foray into this land where he is met with constant shocks and surprises. The use of America and Russia demonstrate that there will always be in between especially where development is a matter of the sheer power of money. As far as being an eye opener is concerned, this book has liberal doses of that quality. Through his portrayals of democracy and capitalism, the author manages to bring out a human face of these political ideals by showing the reader that there are people behind state policies in terms of the framers and the people on whom these are implemented. By doing so, the author manages to show a larger perspective in understating the exact nuances of these political ideals and taking them for what they are instead of dissecting them and labeling them as essentially right or wrong. In doing so, the writer rises above and beyond most modern day political writers, who are either political or merely writers. The author's perspectives in the book are brought about through the memories of Misha who is at once awed and shaken by New York. Misha's journey is one of understanding, challenging and finally accepting. The 18 year old Misha is very different from the 30 year old Misha. The former Misha is one who is impressionable and ready to learn and absorb the ways of the world. In this aspect, the author manages to convey a certain brand of innocence that comes with the young Russian. This innocence remains with Misha throughout the book and makes him all the more endearing for the reader. The Misha who arrives in New York is ready for life without knowing what all it entails. He observes and learns the ways of the city and in return, the city teaches him about democracy and higher ideals of living and letting others live. By and by, Misha forms his judgment about life and politics in general. This is done through numerous brushes with people and the system in general. (Shteyngart, 2006) The 30 year Misha who is heir apparent to a post Soviet fortune, is a little more on the rebellious side. Completely enamored with New York and anything that lies that side of the West, he finds it difficult to digest or understand the ways of his country. In this part of the book, the author shows the Russian fixation for bigger and better. The Russians are now the one of the biggest consumers of luxury products that run into millions, as recent studies and reports will document. This new "land of opportunity" propels people into a sense of hope and longing. The upper class Russian is a slave of opulence and a lifestyle that will put the richest people on the planet to shame. Russia in this book has been presented amidst the drama of wealth and opulence with a hint of humor to show Misha's inner turbulence. He does not seem to understand the Russian fixation with luxury. Also, capitalism is another phenomenon that is yet to make any sense to him. The story presents a soft side to the obese hero who wants nothing from the political power or the money that surrounds him. The story effectively weaves itself through a web of political ideals and other motivations that shape entire countries, in order to show how far removed Misha is from all of this. Through his constant comparisons of America with everything else, the author manages to show his state of depression and how consuming his love for America is. Instead of being another book on the opulence of true democracy, this book manages to bring out various aspects of a democracy by demonstrating the basic indulgences and scarcities from both points of view. Misha is shown as a character who is not concerned with his looks or anything that is showy on the external. This helps reflect the underlying logic that the author is trying to portray throughout the book. This logic adheres to the fact that people must rise above petty matters and embrace one true ideal - that of humanity. In showing Misha's love for America, the author has managed to put a finger on the pulse of what passion can give a person. He has managed to show that passion can give a person more than what money can buy. Through his use of humor, the author has managed to present facts and details on a lighter note. Yet, his message is not lost. Even in the events that show Misha's purchase of the Belgian passport, following which the reader is sent in Absurdistan, there is an orientation towards developing a greater consciousness. In this respect, the author tries to play up feelings for one's homeland through the presentation of choices. There is a strong feel throughout the book of right and wrong - yet the author does not make any obvious judgments. This book has powerful messages that require a deeper understanding. (Shteyngart, 2006) Reading this book is looking at things through an upside down perspective in order to learn the futility of various things in life and things that many countries indulge in. The civil war in Absurdistan gives the author a platform to share his views about violence and the fight over money and power. The author shows Misha, a hero, ready to leave his fortune and run away to a country that he really loves, and pitches this hero against all the absurdities that mark the horizon of Absurdistan. The book travels through the journey of entire countries as well as the personal one that Misha charts when he courts women and the food in America. Through the depiction of small details and more humorous events, the author leaves the reader spellbound. That might explain why he has received favorable reviews from the New York Times as well as the Washington Post. The author has woven a wholesome story of various elements that will not only cater to, but also affect, the sensibilities of various genres of readers. He has managed to rise above culture and language in order to demonstrate the human race through the eyes of a young person in search of his true homeland. (Shteyngart, 2006) Misha and the characters that he meets are memorable and they form a story that is worth fighting for in the end. The transformation in Misha and his chronicles of his true love - America - through his struggles and all the variations that he sees elsewhere in the world are endearing. Finally, the book almost carries itself on the weight of the sense of humor demonstrated by the author. Reference: 1. Shteyngart, Gary. Absurdistan: A Novel. (2006) USA: Random House. Read More