Thanks to Netgalley and Random House for the ebook. Such a delightful comic novel set slightly in the future where America’s divides become a little more ingrained. We follow Vera, a top grade school student who is half Korean and half Russian and is growing up with a New England WASP stepmother and half brother. Sensitive Vera, who is constantly add words to look up, wants her parents to stay married (unlikely), make a friend (more likely) and try and find and meet her Korean birth mom. A fast and funny book that was surprisingly moving by the end.

I’m a huge Shteyngart fan—books, articles, and of course, his Twitter/X feed. "Vera, or Faith" delivers his trademark wit, humor, pacing, and imagination, set in a near future that feels closer every day. A page-turning social satire (not an easy feat!) with sharp commentary reminiscent of Tom Wolfe at his best. Told from the POV of Vera, a fully realized and deeply sympathetic child, the story carries emotional weight. Thank you for sharing the galleys—I truly appreciate it!

A beautiful story about belonging and and fitting in within your family. I loved this exploration from a child's point of view. The story is creative and well written. I was captivated. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Oh Boy….Gary Shteyngart fans are in for a humongous treat!!!!
And if you’re not a fan ….you will be after reading “Vera, or Faith”.

A little about the author (for newbies)….
….Ha….for professional lovers of Shteyngart too!
Gary Shteyngart was born in Leningrad in 1972 and came to the United States seven years later. His debut novel,
‘The Russian Debutante’s Handbook’, (a book I loved), won the Stephen Crane Award for First Fiction and the National Jewish Book Award for Fiction. His second novel,
‘Absurdistan’, (a book that I laughed my ass off) was named one of the 10 Best Books of the Year by The New York Times Book Review. His novel ‘Super Sad True Love Story’ (another fabulous novel) won the Bollinger Everyman Wodehouse Prize and became one of the most iconic novel of the decade …. I agree. I love the book so much that I still have my hardcopy from years ago sitting on my ‘special shelf’ of ‘loved’ books.
His memoir ‘Little Failure’ (sooooo good), was a National Book Critics Award finalist. His book ‘Our County Friends’ was a New York Times best seller and his books have been published in 30 countries.
And now….”Vera, Or Faith” …
It might be my all-time favorite Shteyngart novel (I love them all) … If it doesn’t win an abundance of awards … I’ll eat my hat! (it’s the perfect book for our times today)
It’s soooooo ENJOYABLE!!!….(the warmth & humor alone is healing) ….
“Vera, Or Faith” is sooooo adorable, clever, substantially, relevant and meaningful, endearing, sweet, thought-provoking… and oozing with love! (256 pages - one sitting- fiction - delight).

Meeting the character, Vera Bradford-Shmulkin (ten-year-old protagonist), was pure joy!
Bright, curious, puzzled, tender-hearted, consciously thoughtful & sensible, this child doesn’t miss a beat …
Nothing gets unnoticed by Little Ms. Meticulous-Eagle-eyed!
After all …..
…..she has a lot of things to figure out - to learn - to understand. Vera is very serious about her “Things I Still Need To Know Diary” ….. (paying close attention- even spying if necessary is vital)….
For example…..Vera didn’t understand why Blacks and Jews who probably couldn’t trace their heritage to the Revolutionary War, would be at the marches [March of Hatred] …..
“but what really broke her heart, (a phrase from a book she read last year, which made her imagine the left and right ventricles lying on one side and the left and right atriums on the other pinning desperately for one another) were the teenagers and even younger white kids, marching in their dirty mechanic’s and farm overalls with the sign ‘THEY HAVE TAKEN MY FUTURE AWAY FROM ME’”.
……Also …..
Vera would like to explore more about her MomMom ….
(Vera assumes she was a bad baby) ….
Vera needed to figure out more details about her Daddy….(was he a traitor)….but? …. his best friend was a self-described gay Russian bear….(hm? nothing adds up)….
Vera just couldn’t figure out life (WHO COULD?)….

“Vera, or Faith” permeates CHARM ….and relevancy ….
Wonderful characters….
We meet Ms. Tedeschi ….(Vera’s school teacher who wears pretty sun-dresses even in the winter)….
We meet Vera’s best friend: Yumi Saemonsaburou.
Vera thought she was “so lucky” to have the longest Japanese name on record..

We meet her brother, Dylan, Aunt Cecile, etc….
And other students at school, (participating students who would be doing a historical ‘Lincoln-Douglas’ debate from 1858 when both Lincoln and Douglas were vying for the Illinois Senate seat.
We even meet the tantalizing-speaking family car named Stella (an autonomous self-driving car)….and many other memorable characters……..but nobody had my heart like half Jewish, half Korean, genuinely real and lovable VERA.

“Something absolutely bonkers happened” . . . (shhhhh)

Great - great - great!!

Vera is such a delightful and endearing character. I was completely invested in her wellbeing and was hanging on her every thought.

This is the author at his finest. I admire the way he blends satire, marital drama, parenthood, politics, and a sprinkling of dystopia all in one highly entertaining novel. Moving and marvelous!

Thank you very much to Random House and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a copy.