I always smile when I pick up a new Gary Shteyngart book because I know I'm in for a treat. Alexander (Sasha) Senderovsky invites a select group of friends to his upstate complex, which consists of five bungalows and a main home, with the majority of the guests being second generation immigrants from Korea, India, and, of course, Russia. The only exception is the disaster's catalyst, an A-list actor who is set to star in a miniseries based on one of Sasha's novels. The similarities between author and character struck me as nearly metafictional, as he shared his innermost feelings about the epidemic, George Floyd's death, and his experiences teaching writing at a top college. The writing is excellent, and the settings are realistic. Also, because I've seen him at various events, I'm expecting that after this book is out in November, he'll be able to get back on the road. I'd love to hear him speak on this book in person.