Our Country Friends by Gary Shteyngart review – Chekhov-inspired capers
Old friends escape New York to sit out the pandemic in a Covid satire whose references don’t travel well
January 2022
Books interview
Gary Shteyngart: ‘We’re entering a time of permanent crisis’
The US satirist on why he had to find a UK publisher for his latest novel, his son’s Korean lessons, and the appeal of Zadie Smith’s White Teeth
Book of the day
Our Country Friends by Gary Shteyngart review – lockdown tragicomedy
A group of friends hole up in the countryside to ride out New York’s pandemic in the ‘Dacha of Doom’
‘The collapse of humanity is deathly funny’: Gary Shteyngart on writing comedy in difficult times
In an age of catastrophe, humour is more important than ever, argues the satirical author.
September 2018
Book of the day
Lake Success by Gary Shteyngart review – hugely entertaining and acute
The story of a fund manager’s Greyhound bus journey shines a light on America on the eve of Trump’s victory
Lake Success by Gary Shteyngart review – America’s new age of discontent
The story of a hedge fund manager’s journey of self-discovery is timely and true – and absolutely comfortless
A life in ...
Gary Shteyngart: 'As a Queens boy, Trump was very impressive'
As a Russian immigrant to the US, the author grew up looking up to Gordon Gekko and Donald Trump – now, he hopes his satire about a hedge-fund manager stops people from becoming bankers
November 2017
Top 10s
Top 10 books about high-tech
From histories of world-conquering innovations to fiction that explores their dark side, a leading chronicler of this giddying world chooses the best guides
December 2016
Stephen King attacks Bob Dylan's Nobel prize knockers
Guitar-playing horror legend speaks out against literary authors such as Gary Shteyngart and Irvine Welsh who have scorned the singer’s award
June 2015
Russian Tattoo review – a wonderful trip into existential bewilderment
Elena Gorokhova’s compelling second memoir charts her emigration as a young woman from the Soviet Union to the United States
May 2015
10 authors who excel on the internet
Writers are finding imaginative ways to negotiate the new era of electronic intimacy with readers. Here are some of the best
January 2015
Books blog
Should computer scientists study SF?
Researchers have claimed that computer science courses should include science fiction, to foster a sense of ethics in the future creators of artificial intelligence. Which books should be on the reading list?
May 2014
Books blog
10 authors who are brilliant at Twitter
They can write books, but can they tweet? Here are 10 authors you should follow
Australia culture blog
Irvine Welsh, Sandi Toksvig and Gary Shteyngart on debauchery
A strangely curated panel provides plenty of laughs but little in the way of illumination, writes Jane Howard
Australia culture blog
Sydney writers' festival: 10 things to see
From Alice Walker to Irvine Welsh via discussions about atheism and a poetry slam, there's a wealth of things to see at this week's books event. Here's our pick
March 2014
Little Failure review – Gary Shteyngart's hilarious memoir
Gary Shteyngart's memoir of adapting to life in the US is witty and heartbreaking, writes Peter Conrad
February 2014
Little Failure by Gary Shteyngart – review
Funny, sad and honest, Gary Shteyngart's memoir is even better than his autobiographical novels, writes J Robert Lennon
Gary Shteyngart: Portrait of the artist as a young mensch
As a Russian immigrant to New York City, Gary Shteyngart found himself aged 10 without friends or a TV. In this extract from his memoir, Little Failure, he tells how writing transformed him from 'Red Gerbil' outcast to fully fledged American
Books blog
Gary Shteyngart's little PR coups
Lindesay Irvine: The novelist, and now memoirist, is also an accomplished marketeer – as every 21st-century writer needs to be
January 2014
Books blog
O Canada! American author sparks war of words
Gary Shteyngart says Canadian writers rely on grants and 'don't take the same damn risks'. CanLit explodes with fury, writes Alison Flood
