When fiction imitates life, people are bound to ask, “Is this story about me?” It’s human nature to see ourselves in fictional characters—possibly because, sometimes, fiction is nothing but a tenuous façade between what we imagine and what is real. In Almost Erotic Stories, Russian author Marina Markina shares a collection of humorous stories about modern life in her home country. Whether based on fact or flights of fancy, we can all chuckle at the irony of human foibles and weaknesses inherent in us all. Through thick and thin—and even through the isolation of COVID lockdown—Marina Markina always takes an interest in happy people, and her scintillating short stories share her view on the algorithm of wish fulfillment.