Our Country Friends by Gary Shteyngart is a captivating tale set during the COVID-19 pandemic, praised for its engaging characters and sharp wit. Critics applaud the rich, multilayered narrative and poignant exploration of friendship and human flaws. However, some find the pacing uneven and felt the plot could be more tightly woven. Overall, it's a resonant and timely novel.

A reader who would enjoy Our Country Friends by Gary Shteyngart likely appreciates contemporary fiction with satirical humor, nuanced character studies, and reflections on modern societal issues. Fans of Little Failure or Where'd You Go, Bernadette may find similar enjoyment in Shteyngart's witty and poignant storytelling.

In March 2020, Sasha Senderovsky, his wife, Masha, and their adoptive daughter, Nat, host long-term guests at their upstate New York estate during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, navigating complex relationships and personal challenges. The novel includes references to the murder of George Floyd, child abuse, and depictions of racism and antisemitism.

Contemplative / Emotional / Bittersweet / Humorous / Nostalgic

- The novel Our Country Friends by Gary Shteyngart was published during the COVID-19 pandemic, adding to its resonance with contemporary events.
- Gary Shteyngart is known for his satirical and humorous writing style, and Our Country Friends carries on this tradition with its comedic undertones.
- The book was inspired in part by Anton Chekhov's play The Cherry Orchard, especially in its exploration of themes like friendship and societal changes.

**Alexander (Sasha) Senderovsky**  
A central character who gathers his friends at his country home during a pandemic, resulting in various personal dynamics and revelations about his motives and relationships.

**Masha Levin-Senderovsky**  
Sasha's wife, who struggles with parenting challenges and her relationship with her husband, while navigating the evolving dynamics of their quarantine group.

**Vinod Mehta**  
A childhood friend of Sasha and Karen, whose unrequited love and introspective nature define much of his experience within the group.

**Karen Cho**  
A childhood friend of Sasha and Vinod, who forms a significant bond with Nat and grapples with her past while finding roles within the group dynamic.

**The Actor**  
A famous celebrity who disrupts the group’s balance with his presence and personal ambitions, while highlighting contrasting values and relationships.

**Dee Cameron**  
A former student of Sasha, who navigates her identity and place within the group, forming connections that contrast her past experiences.

**Ed Kim**  
A traveling friend of Sasha’s, who grapples with the tension between his transient lifestyle and his deepening relationships within the group.

**Natasha (Nat) Levin-Senderovsky**  
The daughter of Sasha and Masha, struggling with identity and anxiety, who finds support and connection with Karen during the quarantine.

Gary Shteyngart

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Part 1: “The Colony”

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Part 2: “Entanglements”

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Part 3: “Out Like a Lamb”

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Part 4: “The Death of Alexander Borisovich”

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