Absurdistan [Import] [Paperback]

Gary Shteyngart (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Granta Books; 2nd edition (June 4, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1862079722
• ISBN-13: 978-1862079724
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,305,191 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Gary Shteyngart was born in Leningrad in 1972 and came to the United States seven years later. His debut novel, The Russian Debutante's Handbook, won the Stephen Crane Award for First Fiction and the National Jewish Book Award for Fiction. His second novel, Absurdistan, was named one of the 10 Best Books of the Year by The New York Times Book Review, as well as a best book of the year by Time, The Washington Post Book World, the San Francisco Chronicle, the Chicago Tribune, and many other publications. He has been selected as one of Granta's Best Young American Novelists. His work has appeared in The New Yorker, Esquire, GQ, and Travel + Leisure and his books have been translated into more than twenty languages. He lives in New York City.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Arte Johnson Brings Misha Vainberg To Life, January 9, 2010

By 

Jeffrey N. Fritz "Nikon Jeff" (Morgantown, West Virginia) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Absurdistan (Audio CD)

Others have commented on Gary Shteyngart's sophomore novel, "Absurdistan". (See the novel's book reviews here on Amazon.) Given this, I will more or less restrict my comments to the audiobook version of "Absurdistan."

From the first word in Arte Johnson's interpretation of Misha Vainberg, he nails the personality of Gary Shteyngart's lead character. Although sounding more Yiddish (Eastern European Jewish) than Russian Jewish, the interpretration is fun to listen to never-the-less. Arte Johnson captures the essence of the character. It is easy to imagine Johnson's Misha Vainberg tossing his wealth around, never quite being accepted, suffering from his size, being overly introspective, and finding himself tossed into situations that he is not quite adept at handling. All of this comes through clearly in Arte Johnson's vocalizations.

There are, of course, some nits. The levels and microphone distance occasionally changes between chapters. Sometimes Arte Johnson's voice changes slightly with the same characters. Yet, overall his is an entertaining and very listenable version of Absurdistan. If you can't read the book (or don't wish to), pick up this audiobook.