Our Country Friends by Gary Shteyngart is a rich people problems book set during the pandemic. A Russian-born writing professor/novelist recruits friends to wait out the early days of Covid in his upstate enclave of bungalows with his family. The guests include his two best high school friends, an actor, a former student turned published author, and a “gentleman”.

The book follows the cast of characters as they deal with personal problems amid the pandemic and stressful political climate. This book was entertaining, and I wondered what would happen with each of the characters. It didn’t really go beyond entertainment for me though. I didn’t think it said anything interesting or profound about life before or after Covid. I didn’t feel emotional when I was supposed to. I would read Gary Shteyngart again for a fun entertaining read, not for anything deep or insightful. And that’s fine! Not every book needs to have a deeper message or meaning. But I don’t think this book has staying power - I probably won’t remember it in a few months.