Petropolis

I took Petropolis home with low expectations. I thought it might be too quirky--the main character comes from a small town in Russia called Asbestos 2. This is Anya Ulinich's first novel, and it follows the life of a girl who emigrates to the US as a mail order bride. (I guess we should really change that to internet-order bride). Funny, sweet, and sad, and a window into contemporary Russian life. I couldn't put it down. There's an interview with the author here which will help explain unfamiliar references.