Blog Post 2: Setting

I am about halfway done with the book and the only three settings so far in the book have been New York City, Russia, mostly in the area around St. Peter/Leninsburg, and the fictional country of Absurdistan. The relationship between the settings of America and Russia are very interesting because, while the countries themselves are total opposites, the settings are somewhat similar. The poverty of the Bronx ghettos seems to be comparable to the poverty Misha sees in the children who inspire him to form “Misha’s Children”. The affluence of Misha’s New York City loft is similar to the restaurant The Noble’s Nest and his Russian home that has a room created specifically to replicate the office of his psychiatrist. Even the “ttity bar” where Misha found Rouenna has its Russian counterpart in Club 69. That these similar settings describe two very different, in fact complete opposite places, is very strange. However, the setting in Absurdistan is certainly even more interesting. It is in this country where Shteyngart’s clever satire is truly revealed. The country seems to be a humorous cross between an ex-Soviet republic and an American influenced Middle Eastern country. The constant references to the oil rigs and Haliburton’s complete control of the country seems to be a harsh criticism of the Bush Administration’s global policy. The conflict between the Svanis and the Sevos is also reminiscent of the foolishly destructive rivalries between Islamic sects. Whether or not you agree with Shteyngart’s criticisms, he presents them in a very entertaining way.