Absurdistan (2006) is a novel by Gary Shteyngart. Its narrative pivots around the adventures of Misha Vainberg, the obese and unfortunate son of the 1,238th-richest man in Russia, as he tries to find his way back to his love.
After Misha's father has murdered an American businessman, the entire Vainberg family is barred from entering USA. It is due to this that Misha is stuck in Saint Petersburg. Misha, still in a geographical limbo, is desperately finding ways to go back to his true love, Rouenna, who attends Hunter College (which Misha pays for).
A businessman ends up killing Misha’s father, soon after which a diplomat gives Misha the opportunity to buy a Belgian passport in Absurdistan, giving him a way out of the impasse he had so far been in.
It is due to Absurdistan's reputation for oil riches that it has received the title "Norway of the Caspian." Absurdistan is soon caught in the throes of a civil war and Misha has to take a side. He is then appointed the "Minister of Multiculturalism," and asked to petition Israel for funds, but the Sevo leader had actually planned this with the Svani leader and it turns out to be a hoax.
Absurdistan is a complex, political novel with a rich commentary on a diverse set of issues. It deals with a number of different ideas and brings them together in a single story. It is rich with an incisive sense of narrative.
