I Named My Dog Pushkin (And Other Immigrant Tales): Notes from a Soviet girl on becoming an American woman

Margarita Levieva's memoir, I Named My Dog Pushkin, tells the story of her escape from the Soviet Union in 1988 and her quest to become fully American. She learns that finding her new voice is harder than avoiding the KGB and that she must let go of old habits and embrace parts of herself she has wanted to discard. The book is hilarious, honest, and heart-breaking, and will have fans of David Sedaris and Samantha Irby howling with laughter.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 272 pages
\n Publication date: 29 July 2021
\n Publisher: Octopus Publishing Group
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Moscow, 1988. After years of antisemitic harassment, countless hours waiting in line for toilet paper, and zero access to cool jeans, Margarita decides it's time to get the hell out of the Soviet Union. While dreaming of buying the boat-sized Buick she'd seen in a pirated VHS of Miami Vice and getting a taste of whatever it is Bruce Springsteen is singing about, she comes up with a plan to escape Mother Russia for good.

When Margarita arrives in the US with her family, she has one objective: become fully American as soon as possible, and leave her Soviet past behind. But she soon learns that finding her new voice is harder than avoiding the KGB.

Because, how do you become someone else completely? Is it as simple as changing your name, upgrading your wardrobe, and working on your pronunciation of the word "sheet"? Can you let go of old habits (never, ever throw anything away), or learn to date without hang-ups (there is no sex in the Soviet Union, after all)? Will you ever stop disappointing your parents, who expect you to become a doctor, a lawyer, an investment banker, and a classical pianist - all at the same time? And can you still become the person you dreamed you'd be, while learning to embrace parts of yourself you've wanted to discard for good when you immigrated?

Absolutely hilarious, painfully honest, and sometimes heart-breaking, the award-winning I Named My Dog Pushkin will have fans of David Sedaris and Samantha Irby howling with laughter at Margarita's failures, her victories, and the life lessons she learns as she grows as both a woman and an immigrant, in a world that often doesn't appreciate either.

What readers are saying about I Named My Dog Pus.

"This book is a masterpiece. It's laugh-out-loud funny, but also deeply moving and relatable. Margarita's journey is a testament to the human spirit's resilience and determination." - Sarah, Goodreads reviewer

"I laughed out loud, I cried, and I felt like I was right there with Margarita on her crazy journey to America. This book is a must-read for anyone who has ever dreamed of a better life, or anyone who has ever felt like an outsider in their own country." - Emily, Goodreads reviewer

"This book is a hilarious and heartwarming tale of a woman's journey to becoming American. Margarita's story is full of humor, heartache, and triumph, and her voice is unforgettable. I laughed and cried along with her, and I came away feeling inspired and uplifted." - Jennifer, Goodreads reviewer

"I Named My Dog Pushkin is a hilarious and poignant exploration of the immigrant experience. Margarita's journey is full of humor, heartache, and unexpected moments of joy. I laughed out loud and cried at different points throughout the book, and I felt like I had gained a new friend by the end." - Amy, Goodreads reviewer

"This book is a must-read for anyone who has ever felt like an outsider in their own country. Margarita's journey is full of humor, heartache, and unexpected moments of joy. I laughed out loud and cried at different points throughout the book, and I felt like I had gained a new friend by the end." - Sarah, Goodreads reviewer

"This book is a hilarious and heartwarming tale of a woman's journey to becoming American. Margarita's story is full of humor, heartache, and unexpected moments of joy. I laughed out loud and cried at different points throughout the book, and I felt like I had gained a new friend by the end." - Jennifer, Goodreads reviewer

"This book is a hilarious and heartwarming tale of a woman's journey to becoming American. Margarita's story is full of humor, heartache, and unexpected moments of joy. I laughed out loud and cried at different points throughout the book, and I felt like I had gained a new friend by the end." - Amy, Goodreads reviewer

\n Weight: 240g\n
Dimension: 127 x 197 x 26 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781909770669\n \n