Books Quote by Gary Shteyngart
““The novel was set in an unspecified near future, because setting a novel in the present in a time of unprecedented technological and social dislocation seemed to me shortsighted… To write a book set in the present, circa 2013, is to write about the distant past.””
About This Quote
Source Interview: Discussing novel setting, 2013, in a magazine interview
The author believes writing about the present during rapid change feels shortsighted; future setting captures ongoing transformation better.
In simple terms: Writing about now feels limited; future setting captures change.
Key Takeaway
Choose a setting that reflects the story’s core dynamics.
Themes
future
technology
societal change
literature
perspective
Mood
reflective
analytical
thoughtful
Type
observational
critical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- Writing a novel
- planning a screenplay
- academic analysis of contemporary literature
Key Concepts
Temporal relevance
narrative framing
cultural critique
Questions to Reflect On
- How does setting influence a story’s relevance?
- What are the risks of writing about current events?
A Different Perspective
Setting in the present may miss deeper trends and become quickly outdated.
