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tashery's review
3.0
It takes a while to get into it but after that the characters become charming and you want to know what's going to happen to them. Not Lewycka's best work, I much preferred The Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian.
katykelly's review
3.0
I enjoyed the story, the zany characters, Georgie's life and family. The war stories of the immigrants (Mr Ali, Mrs Shapiro) were very much in contrast and almost seemed to be part of another book and took the humour out of this one.
Not as good as Tractors. I didn't see the point at all of the 'glue' theme. Pointless and annoying, at least to me.
Good writing but not her best.
Not as good as Tractors. I didn't see the point at all of the 'glue' theme. Pointless and annoying, at least to me.
Good writing but not her best.
jmoxley's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
On the face of it easy read feel good book which tells its story with comic humour. However there are some historical snippets which add a bit of depth. A good book for quick enjoyable read.
drjoannehill's review against another edition
4.0
Elements of trashy romance lit and nothing very deep here, although recounts of tragedy for European Jews in WW2 and Palestinians post-1948 make important but sad reading. An entertaining book that kept my attention, what I need currently!
beckboo88's review
4.0
not what I was expecting but it was ok, not sure if it has earned its place in my library though
freddie's review against another edition
5.0
Warm and delightful. Love the character of Georgie - kind, self-deprecating, insecure, oblivious, thirsty... but self-aware (she is also an aspiring romance writer - her drafts are hilarious). Interesting connection with the Palestine-Israel conflict but ultimately the book's focus is on Georgie's relationship with an old neighbor. A comfy domestic / comic novel.
hobhouchin's review against another edition
4.0
Die Einsortierung in die Sparte "Frauen" der ortsansässigen Bibliothek ließ mich innerlich aufstöhnen und die Augen verdrehen. Eigentlich gar nicht mein Genre. Ich erwartete also eine Mischung aus Bridget Jones und Oberflächlichtkeit gewürzt mit billigen Klischees und einer Prise "Sex and the City".
Ich liebe es sehr, wenn ich mich irre.
Ein bißchen Klischee gabs auch hier, aber das lässt sich ja selten vermeiden.
Das Buch lässt sich unheimlich schnell und flüssig lesen. Mir gefiel die Darstellung der "verrückten Katzenlady". Klar, ein wenig "uuuaaarrr...iiiih" war auch dabei, aber ich finde das äußerst realistisch beschrieben. Schön war auch der Symbolcharakter, den ihr Haus hatte. Vom verfallenen Schrottplatz mit ordentlich "Duft" zum gemütlichen Multi-Kulti-Heim mit etwas diletanttisch renovierten Zimmern, bei denen jeder Denkmalpfleger vermutlich das Heulen kriegen würde.
Die "versteckten" Botschaften in dem Buch waren nicht so arg versteckt, aber ich finde es sehr erholsam, wenn ich mal etwas direkt blicke und nicht 3 Tage darüber nachgrübeln muss.
Ich liebe es sehr, wenn ich mich irre.
Ein bißchen Klischee gabs auch hier, aber das lässt sich ja selten vermeiden.
Das Buch lässt sich unheimlich schnell und flüssig lesen. Mir gefiel die Darstellung der "verrückten Katzenlady". Klar, ein wenig "uuuaaarrr...iiiih" war auch dabei, aber ich finde das äußerst realistisch beschrieben. Schön war auch der Symbolcharakter, den ihr Haus hatte. Vom verfallenen Schrottplatz mit ordentlich "Duft" zum gemütlichen Multi-Kulti-Heim mit etwas diletanttisch renovierten Zimmern, bei denen jeder Denkmalpfleger vermutlich das Heulen kriegen würde.
Die "versteckten" Botschaften in dem Buch waren nicht so arg versteckt, aber ich finde es sehr erholsam, wenn ich mal etwas direkt blicke und nicht 3 Tage darüber nachgrübeln muss.
elaineruss's review against another edition
4.0
The second book by Marina Lewycka I've read (the first being Two Caravans). Just as wonderful, entertaining and moving as I expected from her. Her characters are loveable & outrageous yet so well defined finishing the book is almost like losing a group of friends.
The reason i've marked this with 4 stars (as opposed to the 5 I gave Two Caravans) is because the topic didn't pack as much of an emotional punch as I was expecting. It's not a criticsm at all just an observation. For me personally it didn't touch me as much Two Caravans did.
I shall be devouring Marina Lewycka's other novels very soon!
The reason i've marked this with 4 stars (as opposed to the 5 I gave Two Caravans) is because the topic didn't pack as much of an emotional punch as I was expecting. It's not a criticsm at all just an observation. For me personally it didn't touch me as much Two Caravans did.
I shall be devouring Marina Lewycka's other novels very soon!
holdenprobably's review
3.0
I enjoyed the story here but the approach to discussions of Israel and zionism were not up my alley (in the sense that it wasn't necessary pro-Israel, but it wasn't starkly anti-zionist, either). It felt very... liberal. The complexity of the situation doesn't mean folks should just sit back and watch it continue to happen. An Israeli character who can live in the same home as Palestinian refugees is not.... an admirable character, even though he seemed to be framed as such.
I did appreciate the way the story seems to center around the manipulation of elders and seizing property from the elderly under the guise of their protection and safety; I don't think people write about that or know enough about that whole world.
I did appreciate the way the story seems to center around the manipulation of elders and seizing property from the elderly under the guise of their protection and safety; I don't think people write about that or know enough about that whole world.
cashawkins's review
funny
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75