Customer Reviews: Read 44 more reviews...
 Overhyped book-Two Caravans November 10, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Two CaravansI absolutely hated everything about this book. I cannot believe that it is described as 'hilarious' I don't think I raised a smile reading any part of this book. The structural layout is awful; it switches every few paragraphs between the perspectives of its dreary characters.This had the result of msking me fail to identify with any of he characters. The most one can say is that it raises the awareness of the plight of Eastern European workers coming to the UK to work believing that it is a land with streets paved with gold and then being exploited. However, there are many films, books etc which evoke this in a much more effective and interesting way. Lewycka may refer to 'War and Peace' and 'The Canterbury Tales' in her novel but Tolstoy or Chaucer' she is not.
 Very enjoyable November 7, 2008
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, perhaps even slightly more than "A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian". Highly recommended.
 Not Tractors part 2 October 29, 2008
The second book from the Tractor Lady. Different book, darker themes - illegal workers, girls sold into prostitution, gangs. The characters are from many countries - Ukraine, Poland and further afield - and their connection is working together picking strawberries. Their living area is made up of 2 caravans, one for the women, one for the men. Irina is the latest member of the team, a young girl from the Ukraine, who has unfortunately aroused the interest of the unsavoury Vulk. A very human book, touching on a world, which we see everyday, but ignore. Light relief is there in there in the shape of Dog.
I attended the 2008 Cape Town Book Fair, where the author was interviewed by a local journalist. She came across as an interesting and articulate woman. She drew parallels between the U.K. and South Africa, both seen as lands of milk and honey in their respective continents.
Highly recommended- a fantastic read! October 19, 2008
Having also read the previous novel Ukranian Tractors I thought this was by far the better of the two books. Unlike some of the other reviewers I did find parts of the book very funny indeed. In addition I also found it very moving in places. Stylistically the jumping about between the characters is slightly confusing in the early part of the book but this feeling does not persist and as the book progressed I found I quite enjoyed this style of writing. I found this a very rewarding read and very much look forward to Marina Lewycka's next book.
 Great start ruined by a very disappointing second half September 24, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I really enjoyed the first half of this book and found it unputdownable but the second half monumentally lost it's way. Parts of the second half were so depressing I almost had to give up reading the book.
Characters who were intriguing that I had engaged with suddenly disappeared never to be heard from again, the plot became tenuous and unbelievable. New characters were introduced who were never properly explained before disappearing just as quickly. Incidents that appear to be about to be developed into plot twists also tail off into nothing.
The ending is also unsatisfying and confusing - this really is one of those books you throw at the wall because the ending is so frustrating - especially if like me you've stayed up very late to finish it!
Interestingly I noticed in the acknowledgements that the author thanks friends for helping her through a 'difficult time'. Without them she says the book would not have been finished and that does make me wonder if this affected the second half of her book.
I wouldn't reccommend this book but I'm looking forwards to Lewycka's next offering hoping she regains her sparkle.
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