The Russian Debutante's Handbook Audiobook

" This was pretty good, but nowhere near as good as Absurdistan (by the same author, and really funny). It was a bit rambling and the main character was kind of annoying at times. He was supposed to be, of course, but it just rubbed me the wrong way at times. But, I did enjoy it. "

" Tremendously entertaining. I loved this book. "

" Fantastic. Smart and funny. Can't wait to read his other books. "

" I really have a hard time with a book that doesn't have a character I like, and most of the time I was annoyed by the main character, Vladimir Gershkin, who gets pushed around a lot by his mother and various Eastern European gangsters. The New York Times said this book was uproarious, but there was only one scene that made me laugh out loud. The redeeming factors were that the book gives you a peek at an Eastern European immigrant's experience, character description is imaginative, and now I know more about Russian gangsters. They're mean! "

" Loved it! Highly recommend it. (See what I had to say about this author's second novel--I feel the same way about this one, which is his first.) "

" Delightful! I think it takes some familiarity with Eastern Europe to truly appreciate this book. "

" Whatever, this book's gotten a lot of flack ala Corrections but at least no one claimed this to be the next De Lillo (Franzen, I'm LOOKING AT YOU). I think it was a funny, enjoyable story, plus also the author photo shows him pictured with a baby BEAR. You've gotta respect a man for that. "

" Very entertaining and facile humor. "

" witty, Evelyn Waugh-esque, great for those who are fans of Russian culture/literature/kitsch; original characters "

" Highly imaginative and hysterically funny. "

" A little more long-winded than his other books. But he managed to bring it all back together. Lots of fun to read. "

" Very witty book. The main character Vladimir is masterfully constructed. He's a Russian Jew emigrant in NY, and his cultural identities crises are treated in both a profound and a humorous manner. On the negative side, S. indulges a bit too much in ethnic/national stereotypes. "

" Disappointing. I had read a lot of positive reviews of this when it came out.A bit too much of the "everyone's an a-hole" for me. "

" A Russian emigre to the U.S. flees the mob only to get wrapped up in another Eastern European mob that gives him all the glory he can handle and then some. Not nearly as good as Absurdistan, but it read like a practice run. "

" do not like this author "

" If you ever wanted to go to Prague in the 90s (or make fun of those who did), read this one. "

" Am I supposed to spend the course of the entire book hoping Vladimir gets offed by the mafia? If I am, the book's succeeding amply, but if not... "

" Shteyngart's language is astonishing and funny, but the plot seemed "over the top" to me. "

" Funny? You want funny? Here you go. Funniest book by an Oberlin grad I have ever read! "

" I didn't find it as funny as others seemed to. Clever in parts but I didn't even chuckle. I liked Absurdistan a bit more. "