Gary Shteyngart’s novel imagines an alternative world where personal electronic devices consume your attention, a devastating economic crisis looms and love is a complicated affair. Wait, did I say alternative world? Perhaps I should say that Super Sad True Love Story is a half-step ahead of our current techno-loving culture seen through a satirical filter that has fun with the insanities of modern life.

Lenny Abramov works at Post-Human Services, a company that promises longer life to individuals willing to pay, namely HNWI’s–High Net Worth Individuals. He is not so good at his job of recruiting the super-rich but his work does bring him into contact with Eunice Park, a beautiful and troubled woman fifteen years younger. Eunice thinks that Lenny is nerdy and too old. Lenny can’t get Eunice out of his head. Will love ensue?

As I said before, it’s complicated. And entertaining.

Amid the pyrotechnics of Shteyngart’s universe you find compelling characters who are experiencing the fullness of human life–from loneliness and insecurity to happiness, joy and points in between. It is these characters that anchor the story and allow you to marvel at the near possible future that may be closer than you might think.