Sunday, March 15, 2009
The far side of the world
In the novel Absurdistan, we as the reader are taken to places unlike any we have been to. Places like Russia or even the made up nation of Absurdistan. And leading us to these new places , is the literal descriptions of the author. In Absurdistan i found myself paying more close attention to the authors language than i had to any literature i have read for a while. From descriptions of St.Petersburg's parks and strip clubs to the airport of Absurdistan, the author fills the pages with descriptions as the run through Misha's mind. And all these descriptions feel spot on two, as if they match everything i think of when i think eastern europe. While some may find this amount of descriptions cumbersome i enjoy it and feel it really adds to the novel
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I certainly agree that Misha/Shteyngart's descriptions are what keeps the novel interesting. I especially enjoyde his ghetto version of the history of Absurdistan.
ReplyDeleteI agree! the author's affectiveness in describing might also be due to the fact that he uses a character that is innocent and unfamiliar with his surroundings, so the author is able to describe these places as a visitor (the reader) would see them.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, especially how the descriptions match up with the perception of Eastern Europe. I love Shteyngart's description of the blight of a stereotypical, Cold War Russia.
ReplyDeleteGreat point about how the descriptions add to the novel. I certainly agree because they make the book more enjoyable. They also leave a more lasting impact on the reader than a more simple book.
ReplyDeleteI agree that descriptions add to the novel. They really make the difference between America, Russia, and Absurdistan. You can see how Misha behaves differently in each setting.
ReplyDeleteI agree, Shteyngart does describe the settings and characters well.
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