Gary Shteyngart's novel 'Vera, or the Truth' follows a gifted child navigating a disturbing near-future America.
Gianluigi Coltri opens the episode by introducing the novel 'Vera, or the Truth' by Gary Shteyngart, translated by Katia Bagnoli and published by Guanda in late 2025. He reads an excerpt from the first page, introducing Vera, her mother Anne, and her brother Dylan. Coltri provides background on Shteyngart, born in Leningrad in 1972 and moving to the US in 1980, noting his original storytelling. The novel is set in a dystopian near-future America, described as a 'Middle Ages-next future', where autonomous cars exist but society is regressing. Vera is a gifted child struggling to control her overwhelming thoughts. Her school requires admission via a test at age four, placing students in the 99th percentile. Vera's family includes an American father and a South Korean mother who remains in Korea, though this is not discussed. The society is preparing a referendum to normalize castes, distinguishing Native Americans from others. Vera's favorite companion is Caspi, an AI toy that plays chess and interacts with her. She befriends Yumi, a Japanese-origin classmate, in a school filled with gifted children with their own problems. Coltri references an October 2025 interview where Shteyngart told Corriere della Sera that Vera faces horrible situations, like supporting a thesis that reduces her electoral value for good grades. Shteyngart admitted to crying while writing, calling the book melancholy and disturbing. Coltri emphasizes how Shteyngart skillfully immerses readers in Vera's mind, showing the burdens of giftedness. The novel includes adventure elements, as Vera deceives AI to seek answers. Coltri concludes by teasing the next episode about 'Michael Jackson's Syndrome' and thanks listeners.
