[4] Upon completing his education, Ginder served as a speechwriter for John Podesta at the Center for American Progress.

In a starred review, the industry publication Booklist called the book, "lively, funny, gritty, and achingly real," comparing Ginder to novelists Junot Díaz and Michael Chabon.

[6] In The Boston Globe, critic Karen Campbell called the work "engaging, colorful, direct, and imaginative," and "a stirring, memorable trip.

"[7] The New Yorker magazine called the work "a sensitively observed story," about "lessons that bear repeating.

"[8] As of 2020[update], Ginder lives in Brooklyn, and teaches writing at New York University, his alma mater.