From AS re the piece about Ayn Rand in the Oct. 17 issue: 

“I have always loved Ayn Rand. I’ve read her novels and some of her short stories. While reading her books, I always stop and think, ‘She came here from Russia when she was 19 and is writing these books in her second language.’ Amazing!”

My Response: Yes. I have had the same thought about her. A Russian émigré who is even more amazing perhaps because he is such a great stylist of the language is the great Vladimir Nabokov. And there’s a novelist writing today with the same credentials: Gary Shteyngart.

You may have read one of his books. I especially liked Absurdistan, Lake Success, and Super Sad True Love Story.