Maureen Posted April 14, 2006 Share Posted April 14, 2006 (Most unexpectedly good book (something which exceeded all expectations) : A Short History Of Tractors In Ukrainian by Marina Lewycka The title of this book has been of intrigue to me, since I heard it. I could not decide whether the title would be of a totally boring, uninteresting, insipid book about tractors, or if it has nothing at all to do with the story. Well today I decided to find a review.....and here it is: For years, Nadezhda and Vera, two Ukrainian sisters, raised in England by their refugee parents, have had as little as possible to do with each other - and they have their reasons. But now they find they'd better learn how to get along, because since their mother's death their aging father has been sliding into his second childhood, and an alarming new woman has just entered his life. Valentina, a bosomy young synthetic blonde from the Ukraine, seems to think their father is much richer than he is, and she is keen that he leave this world with as little money to his name as possible. If Nadazhda and Vera don't stop her, no one will. But separating their addled and annoyingly lecherous dad from his new love will prove to be no easy feat - Valentina is a ruthless pro and the two sisters swiftly realize that they are mere amateurs when it comes to ruthlessness. As Hurricane Valentina turns the family house upside down, old secrets come falling out, including the most deeply buried one of them all, from the War, the one that explains much about why Nadazhda and Vera are so different.In the meantime, oblivious to it all, their father carries on with the great work of his dotage, a grand history of the tractor. I think a lot of you would agree that it sounds like a good read!! Will certainly look out for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philip Stein Posted June 9, 2006 Share Posted June 9, 2006 You should look out for it, everyone, if you haven't already - it's a terrific read, light and amusing without being brainless (it has interesting things to say about care for the elderly, for instance). It should have been on the Booker shortlist in my opinion, and I think it's a rare example of a book that would appeal to all shades of reader. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freewheeling Andy Posted June 9, 2006 Share Posted June 9, 2006 I'd agree with that, Philip. It is an easy, light, amusing read without being complete airheaded fluff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lilywhite Posted July 12, 2006 Share Posted July 12, 2006 Looking forward to getting my hands on this one. Sounds like a great read. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kell Posted July 12, 2006 Share Posted July 12, 2006 I now have this on my to read list - I plan on getting to it very soon... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maureen Posted July 12, 2006 Author Share Posted July 12, 2006 keep hearing very good things about this book. Must get it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MonkeyCatcher Posted July 12, 2006 Share Posted July 12, 2006 I'm a wee way into it at the moment, and so far I'm really enjoying it. The only complaint I have is with the unusual paragraph structuring (it appears to be almost random), but I'm sure that I'll get used to it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magdadh Posted September 6, 2006 Share Posted September 6, 2006 I liked the book, though I think it tries to cram too much into one novel, as debuts often do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sib Posted August 18, 2007 Share Posted August 18, 2007 I Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NiceguyEddie Posted August 18, 2007 Share Posted August 18, 2007 I Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liz Posted August 18, 2007 Share Posted August 18, 2007 I´ve just finished it, I thought it was good. So was Big Sis actually Little Sis´s mother or have I got that completely wrong? Really? I didn't pick that up when I read it. I must have read over some bits too quickly and missed that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sib Posted August 19, 2007 Share Posted August 19, 2007 Really? I didn't pick that up when I read it. I must have read over some bits too quickly and missed that. I don´t know, I think maybe I´ve got the wrong end of the stick there.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weave Posted August 19, 2007 Share Posted August 19, 2007 I read this last year or earlier this year (I can't remember) but I really enjoyed it. x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sib Posted August 19, 2007 Share Posted August 19, 2007 I read this last year or earlier this year (I can't remember) but I really enjoyed it. x I thought it was really funny..particularly Crap Car and things like that.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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