Lea Reed Blog Post #1:
I'm beginning to get more interested in this book than when I first began it. I was expecting much more of a dystopian type novel but it actually seems more realistic than our other more exaggerated books we've read in class. Actually, it seems as though this takes place maybe only 10-20 years in the future, which provides a stronger sense of worry and fear to me than reading even the most horrific dystopian novels such as The Road. The issues they cover in this novel include: money, power, immigration and technology... all things that are presently an issue in America. It is reassuring that love and relationships can still exist, as well as the recognition of intimacy and respect. Lenny and Eunice's relationship, though at the beginning seemed desperate and unrealistic, now serve as a beacon of hope and light in a world that only seems to be plummeting downwards. The fact they are so different yet provide each other with exactly what they need makes their love so interesting and distracting from what is going on outside of them. The more time I spend reading this book the more I feel I am able to connect to it; the issues of privacy, health, and technology are essentially the same as they are today, but I think the author wants us to realize that despite this there is always the natural human emotion of love that can conquer all... or at least distract.
Lea Reed Blog Post #2
Well the title is true, this was a Super Sad True Love Story for sure. When it finally seemed that all was going well and would work out in the end, it all went down hill. Suddenly, the economy was failing, power in the States was diminishing and violence and terror was reigning through the streets all the while Lenny and Eunice's love was failing too. It's sad that Eunice choose Joshie over Lenny in the long run, though it made her happy, one can't help but feel pity for little Lenny who is so fragile and in love with her. Overall though this book gave me a lot of insight into how our world is changing now and what it could potentially turn into. It showed me just how important money, power, and appearance are to us and how, when taken to far, it can ultimately destroy us. i'm still not quite sure how I feel about the book, but ultimately I think it was a good read, though not necessarily as dystopian as imagined.
(response to lea's first post)
ReplyDeleteWow, Lea, you took the words right out of my mouth with that one. I also am enthralled by Shteyngart's creation of a believable dystopia, especially given that it is only about fifteen years ahead of us. This adds a layer of seriousness and urgency to what I see as an otherwise playful and irreverent text. Everyone's obsession with their technology, to the point where they are unable to see what's in front of them, is uncomfortably familiar. His acceleration of modern materialism is compelling, taking our culture of observing our neighbor's purchases and upgrading it to a level where every purchase is broadcasted to anyone who wants to see it. Despite this being arguably the most lighthearted text we've approached in this class so far, it is the most scary to me.
I like the blend that Shteyngart creates, balancing humor and caution. All too often, dystopian literature can take itself too seriously in an effort to have an impact. As a result, it's not "as dystopian" as some other texts, but it still delivers its message - and you could argue that it does so even more powerfully than others that might be more serious.
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