Journal Entry 1 by usedtobe on Saturday, July 22, 2006

"Sisters Vera and Nadezhda must put aside a lifetime of feuding to save their émigré engineer father from voluptuous gold-digger Valentina. With her proclivity for green satin underwear and boil-in-the-bag cuisine, she will stop at nothing in her pursuit of Western wealth. But the sisters' campaign to oust Valentina unearths family secrets, uncovers fifty years of Europe's darkest history and sends them back to roots they'd much rather forget..."

Journal Entry 2 by usedtobe on Monday, July 24, 2006

This book caught my attention because of its unusual title and after reading the reviews on the cover I was expecting a funny and light book, perfect for my vacation! The story could be a lot more funny, it did have potential, but in my opinion the author didn't know how to explore it. I learned a lot about the history of tractors, through the book one of the main characters was writing, and also about Ukrainia but the main story lacked something. I kept on reading always expecting it would get better or that something exciting would happen, but unfortunately it never did. It's a light read but not prize material, in my honest opinion!

Journal Entry 3 by usedtobe on Sunday, August 27, 2006

This book is now going to Flicki in Germany, as part of the International Reverse Wishlist Relay BookRelay. Enjoy! :o)

Journal Entry 4 by Flicki from Emden, Niedersachsen Germany on Wednesday, August 30, 2006

Arrived today - thanks a bunch! :-) 

Journal Entry 5 by Flicki from Emden, Niedersachsen Germany on Thursday, March 13, 2008

Oh, dear, I just see that I already had the book since Aug 2006! I can't believe it! :-) I never would've thought! Well, anyway, it is read now and well-beloved and ready to travel on to jennymidget in Australia. I found the characters so extravagant, you really have to love them. :-) When I started reading the book, I thought it was just another copy of 'Everything is Illuminated', but then it turned out differently. Great book! (Even though I wouldn't want to try any of the cooking recommendations... ;-)) 

Journal Entry 6 by jennymidget from Bellbowrie, Queensland Australia on Thursday, March 20, 2008

Cheers Flicki! This one's been on my to-read list for ages! 

Journal Entry 7 by jennymidget from Bellbowrie, Queensland Australia on Monday, April 21, 2008

Well, I didn't think this was quite so bad as everyone else journalling here did (hope that doesn't reflect badly on me!)While some aspects were a bit silly and not particularly well done, I like to think that's the nature of what I'm pretty sure is the author's own story, or close enough to it. As horrible as it was, I was enthralled by the dynamic between all the characters - reminded me a bit of my parents and their siblings, and their relationships with my grandparents (who are European immigrants too, but not from the Ukraine). Easy-to-read, cracked a couple of smiles, and left me thinking twice, so no complaints!

Going off to a BookMoocher in Tambourine here in QLD...