Gary Shteyngart Can’t Read
Haha. Or if you’re Gary Shteyngart feigning a Russian accent in his new book trailer, it might sound more like chah-chah. Book trailers are often too long and boring: earnest author fidgeting on a Brooklyn stoop, reciting the plot of her novel. You’re watching it thinking, “Stop telling me what happens. That’s what your book is for.”
Luckily, the newly released trailer for Shteyngart’s highly anticipated third novel, “Super Sad True Love Story” (Random House), does not suffer from these problems. In fact, it has practically nothing to do with the book, a dystopic tale of a sweaty, nebbishy book-lover fighting the mire of screen addiction, cultural illiteracy and tweens in see-through jeans. And it’s full of celebrities, literary and otherwise. Like James Franco, a Jew matrilineally according to Wikipedia. The premise is that the prolific satirical fiction writer, Shteyngart, is actually a Borat-like figure who can’t read. Chah-chah. It’s very funny. You should watch it. And you should read Mark Oppenheimer’s interview with Shteyngart from our archives. And check back soon for the Yid Lit Podcast that we’re taping with him. I’ll see if I can get him to read something.
I’m personally matching all gifts to the Forward, up to $36,000. Can I match your gift now?
Hello, fellow Forward reader! I’m Joel Brown, a Forward reader and supporter for more than 15 years, and currently the chair of the board of directors.
I’m an avid Forward reader because it ticks so many of my essential boxes: excellent journalism, Jewish focus and diverse viewpoints. In today’s political climate, what I most appreciate is the Forward’s independence — made possible by the generosity of its membership.
The Forward is committed to bringing you unbiased, nuanced Jewish news. From my position as board chair, I see an exciting future as we expand our position as the definitive independent voice of contemporary American Judaism.
— Joel Brown, Forward board chair
Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
