Synopsis:Amazon.co.uk
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.

Why on earth did this sit on my bookshelf for so long before I got around to reading it? It is an absolute delight and I kept reading and laughing when I should have been sleeping.
It is a tragic comedy about a Ukrainian family domiciled in the Uk for many years. The protagonist is the widowed elderly father of Nadezhda and Vera who falls in love with a Ukrainian many years his junior. The subject of his misguided love is Valentina who plans to exploit him and marry him as a means of staying in the UK along with her son Stanislav. The two sisters have not had a close relationship but they are drawn closer in their bid to prevent Valentina stepping in and taking over their mother Ludmilla's place in their former home.
The characters are all extremely well portrayed and I found it easy to visualise them all from brassy Valentina to the two womens lonely and lecherous Pappa. There are some very amusing descriptions in the book, particularly involving these two characters.
As well as hearing details of the battle against Valentina from the narrator Nadezhda we also learn something of the families history and their reasons behind leaving the Ukraine, which is both sorrowful and believable. Heedless of the upset he is causing around him throughout the story Pappa continues with his lifes work trying to complete a written history of the tractor. I did not find these sections of particular interest but by the end realised the relevance.
I now plan to read Two Caravans as soon as possible.

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Happy reading Bongalonga, a title from your wishlist!

LindyLouMac

Recieved with thanks from LindyLouMac.

What a nice surprise, I got a PM out of the blue saying she had a book from my wishlist and wanted to send it to me - all the way from Italy!

Have wanted to read this for a while, planning to read on my honeymoon next month.

What a fabulous book, although it didn't make me laugh out loud very often the humour was certainly there and sometimes tempered with tragedy. A fascinating insight into Ukranian history too, without taking away from the central plot. Would recommend this book to all, I read it in a day.

Will release shortly

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Given to tashclayton

Gratefully received from Bongalonga, I've heard good reviews of this book, so am looking forward to it.

I loved the cover, I loved the concept, I enjoyed the read, but at the end of the day it's just novel about family relationships. I have to say I'd expected a little bit more..

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

Left by the side of the canal between Gloucester avenue and Camden Lock - my first truly wild release

What a welcome find on my way to work! I found this book at the end of last year, perched on a public bin on the canal path in Camden Town. I was surprised at first but having heard about Bookcrossing from my cousin (who did her thesis on it!) I picked it up - I hope it hadn't been left there for someone else!

I loved the book, which I've just finished. It;s wonderfully funny and quite realistic, as in you really feel like you are living the story as it unfolds. The themes touched are all very interesting. Immigration laws, the condition that people leave when they leave a difficult country of origin, the warped expectations of "non-westerners" in what they will find in a capitalist society, family bonds (and disconnections), how family past informs our present, unexpected ways to heal broken bonds and shed light on our history, which can often be difficult to tackle. All this is rendered incredibly digestible thanks to Lewicka's wonderful comic style... I laughed a lot whilst reading the book and at the same time felt a real connection with all the charachters, especially the heroine of course.

I am sending this book to a friend in Paris, whom I think will enjoy it... thanks so much Bookcrossing! :-)

Marta

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Posting it to a friend in Paris, who I think will enjoy it!