KQED's Forum In Gary Shteyngart’s “Vera, or Faith,” A Child Navigates Family, American Dystopia
Jul 28, 2025
Gary Shteyngart, acclaimed author of "Vera, or Faith" and more, shares insights on a precocious 10-year-old Korean-American girl navigating a dystopian America. He discusses the impact of political climates on childhood anxieties and family dynamics. The conversation touches on the influence of AI on storytelling and the complexities of identity in a multicultural society. Shteyngart reflects on the challenges of parenting and cultural preservation amidst societal pressures, offering a humorous yet poignant exploration of modern family life.
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Gary's Childhood Language Learning
- Gary Shteyngart shares his childhood experience learning English with computer punch cards.
- He and his family wrote both English and Russian words to navigate health and life challenges.
Language as a Tool for Childhood Anxiety
- Vera uses overheard linguistic tics to understand her complex world.
- Many readers relate to childhood anxiety expressed through the need to master language.
Politics Invades Child's Mind
- Politics permeates children's consciousness similarly to authoritarian indoctrination.
- Vera's political environment deeply affects her, mirroring Shteyngart's Soviet-era childhood.
