dinara221b's review
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
orestesfasting's review
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
The story of intergenerational trauma bound up in silly sibling bickering is funnier, I think, than the central story of elder abuse, which is not as funny as it seems to think it is - the story of Valentina, Nikolai and Stanislav is sad on all accounts and is never quite as farcical as I want it to be. Nevertheless I was captivated by the idea of Nazedha, constantly searching to uncover why her family is the way it is, whilst they're desperate to protect her even as it drives a wedge between them. It feels like a story with the wrong focus, though undoubtedly enjoyable and a well drawn cast of characters.
taffy_sea's review
2.0
This sets itself up as a comedic book, but I found it rather cynical & a bit of a downer. The immigrant perspective was fascinating & clearly well done. The characters were vivid & the writing was strong. Not my favorite, but still an original read.
hollymegan's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
misslezlee's review
3.0
In Art College I learned that context is everything. This novel was published seventeen years ago. I added it to my Tbr list January 2022 when I was searching for possible reads for the Popsugar Reading Challenge. It was on a reading list someone compiled and looked interesting. A month later Russia attacked Ukrainia. It’s still going on. I grew up in the East Midlands and my small town had many Eastern European refugees who settled there after WW2. We even had some buildings, known as The Hostel, where they stayed when they first arrived. Later, my elementary school used the building for extra classrooms when the baby boomers reached school age. And in the last seventeen years there have been waves of refugees all over the world.
So, although this novel is billed as uproariously funny, hilarious, and a comic feast, I found it rather sad. The old man misguidedly tries to help a much younger woman who has bought into the illusion of Western opulence in a pre Brexit England. What could possibly go wrong?
Interspersed with that story line is the history of the old man’s family and how his actions affect his daughters’ relationships. And then there’s the short history of tractors in Ukranian.
So, although this novel is billed as uproariously funny, hilarious, and a comic feast, I found it rather sad. The old man misguidedly tries to help a much younger woman who has bought into the illusion of Western opulence in a pre Brexit England. What could possibly go wrong?
Interspersed with that story line is the history of the old man’s family and how his actions affect his daughters’ relationships. And then there’s the short history of tractors in Ukranian.
_mallc_'s review
2.0
Not bad but I wanted it to be better. The parts about life for Ukrainians in the former Soviet Union was very interesting.
frankiecully's review
1.0
I hated this book.
It took me so long to read it.
I was recommended this book by my friend in work who is also a big reader. We had been discussing "the 100 year old man that stepped out the window and ran away" as we had both read it and loved it. I explained how I had a soft spot for books about old men. He suggested I read this book as he said it was similar. I can see the similarities but I just hated the old man in this story.
He angered me and so did his stupid daughters. I hated all the characters. Didn't like anybody.
I got where it was trying to be funny but I just didn't like it.
Parts of it when I read it just made me really sad and hurt when reading about the old mans struggle during the war and then with his new bride! The taunting and the bullying was cruel and made me feel awful reading it.
It took me so long to read it.
I was recommended this book by my friend in work who is also a big reader. We had been discussing "the 100 year old man that stepped out the window and ran away" as we had both read it and loved it. I explained how I had a soft spot for books about old men. He suggested I read this book as he said it was similar. I can see the similarities but I just hated the old man in this story.
He angered me and so did his stupid daughters. I hated all the characters. Didn't like anybody.
I got where it was trying to be funny but I just didn't like it.
Parts of it when I read it just made me really sad and hurt when reading about the old mans struggle during the war and then with his new bride! The taunting and the bullying was cruel and made me feel awful reading it.
clsl's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Self harm