Wonderfully strange, 1. November 2008

What a marvellous idea! On the surface, a rather tragic but also highly comical story, under the surface much more than that. This is literature at its best - entertaining, but not plain. And far from mainstream. Try to read the English original, there's a lot of comic in the transcipted Ukranian accent.

      just any ordinary book, 4. August 2008

Although the media made a big fuss about this book, it's just any ordinary bestseller. The plot might be a little bit more inventive, but that's that. The book is boring and predicable, and if it wasn't for the wicked witch (also called new stepmother), I wouldn't have finished it. It might be nice as a holiday lecture for someone who wants to let his mind flow, but for anyone who is interested in good books, it's the wrong choice.

      Nicht von der Werbung täuschen lassen!, 6. März 2008

Nette kleine Geschichte erzählt aus der Sicht einer Frau, deren 84jähriger Vater eine 36jährige Blondine aus der Ukraine heiratet. Ich habe das Buch aufgrund der überragenden Kritiken gekauft und muss sagen, dass ich enttäuscht war, weil es nicht hielt, was die Werbung versprach. Von "Extremely funny", "Mad and hilarious" und "Outstanding" konnte nicht die Rede sein. Das Buch war nett und an manchen Stellen auch amüsant. Nicht mehr, aber auch nicht weniger.

       fascinating, 18. September 2007

What particularly struck me about this book was the beginning of the opening chapter. Reading it further captivated me and the end of the book proved that it is an amazing story. A story in a story, A SHORT HISTORY OF TRACTORS IN UKRAINIAN captured the depth of characterization that produced an amazing octogenarian in love with a woman in her prime, a born survivor who is determined to make use of any advantage to secure a better future for her son; and the pragmatism of two conflicting sisters who are determined to 'rescue' their father. Enlightening, hilarious, gracious, gave and tender in turns, this fascinating story gives us an insightful view of the lives of those trying to make a new life as refugees or exiles.I would recommend this book to any lover of good literary works. There are many lessons to learn from this book. In different ways we find that too in THE UNION MOUJIK, WAR AND PEACE,THE USURPER AND OTHER STORIES, OUR KIND.I enjoyed reading this book, so if you are undecided , my advise is that pick it up and do some reading that you will remember after

      Wäre vor 30 jahren witzig gewesen, 17. August 2007

Das Buch ist leider überbewertet und nicht ansatzweise so witzig wie beschrieben. Die Geschichte ist völlig vorhersehbar - was passiert wohl, wenn ein alter Mann eine nur auf dessen Geld ausseiende junge Frau heiratet? Die Charaktere sind überzeichnet, greller noch als jedes Klischee, was der geneigte Leser über großbrüstige Blondinen aus der Ukraine haben mag. In England weiss man weniger über Osteuropa als in Deutschland und schätzt Fäkalhumor, dort mag das Buch aufklärend und lustig sein, hier aber - meiner Meinung nach - nicht.