As if there aren't enough connotations attached to a filthy rich 325 pound Russian Jew with already insecure tendencies and a "khui" that can somehow be described as either a crushed insect or an abused iguana... Misha has it tough. Oddly enough, one should be inclined to feel sorry for this oddly shaped man, but I can't feel much sympathy for him. His situation is, in simplest terms, pathetic. Here he has more money than all but 1,280 or so of the slightly-richer-than-himself Russians. His manservant to whom Misha is close seems to be a fantastic servant, notably tucking napkins in his tent-like puma sweatsuits for when he is expected to make a mess, but Misha seems to treat him like a slave. Sure Misha can't go back to the US because his father is a criminal, but he could have it much worse. After all, he sees no importance in traditional Russian values and chooses to shock any native with his more American ways of life, such as rapping at the fish restaurant and making out with Rouenna at the art museum. It's as if he has the best of both worlds. Now, if he were for example... a Russian noble, I might have more sympathy. If he had to comply with the ideals of his country and had to live up to something, It would be like he was living a lie. But Misha isn't living a lie, and he isn't living up to anything anymore. After his dad, though he misses both his parents dearly, he has nothing to live up to and he does what he wants. He's like a spoiled child. And if he were in America, he wouldn't be any less overweight, rich, or insecure. He would be just as lonely and out of touch as any other person such as himself would be... Except, there is only one Misha.
HOWEVER, though I have no sympathy for Misha, he's as likable as can be. And that is what makes this book so fantastic already.
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While i agree with most of your points i would argue that you can pity him. The book stays in the affluent life of Misha so that the only concerns of the book are Mishas. We never see the concerns of people less rich than him really so its hard to say at least for me why is he complaining. While i do agree that he has it easy i mainly pity him because he is like a child and he really can't handle himself so any issue becomes elevated.
ReplyDeleteOverall i think we agree on the book
I certainly agree with you in that I don't have much sympathy for Misha either, though I think he is still a pitiable character. It seems like we are ment to sympathize with him, but because of his childishness adn many other character flaws, I don't find myslef doing that.
ReplyDeleteHmmm I see your point. I used to have sympathy for Misha but now not so much. I guess I forgot the fact that Misha is rich beyond belief and has a servant and the works. I agree with you that Misha's situation is pathetic.
ReplyDeleteANNA! i very much agree with your comment about his likability. As i wrote in my post, i do not particularly adore the man, but you cant help but like him. Something about the innocence he has brought about by being sheltered makes you saw awwwwww poor michillen man...
ReplyDeleteI agree with you about how Misha cannot be pitied because of his traits and notably bad treatment of his servant but he is very easy to like.
ReplyDeleteI disagree about only one part of your post in my eyes Misha is unlikeable simply because he cant fend for himself at all. He isn't even a nice person in that sad sort of helpless way. He only knows how to be served and i think that makes him an unlikeable character.
ReplyDeleteI think Misha is supposed to be a character you like and pity despite who he is. Honestly your post makes me ashamed to pity him but I still do because as great as his life may seem it isn't good. He is a depressed mishapen character, its hard not to pity him.
ReplyDeleteEven though his life may seem good its not and just saying "well he is a wimp, and should deal with it" isn't really helpful because much of the point of him is that he isn't satisfied with his life and is helpless to overcome dissatisfaction.