A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian by Marina Lewycka

I am little behind the times in reading this one, but I am so glad I waited. All the hype would have made me really dislike the book for not living up to my expectations or being asked by everyone and their mother whether I had read this part or that part yet?! So, I waited, patiently as this book never really grabbed my attention like it did millions of other readers, and when I was offered it in a trade (yes, I lent them my Caitlin Moran's How To Be a Woman) I thought why not, it's about time. And it was.

A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian is not really about tractors, though there is a bit of information about them and I have to say the only one I recognised was John Deere (felt slightly ashamed), it is about family. A family that has lost their mother two years before, two sisters who are not speaking to each other since the row over money at the funeral, and their father, the man with the Big Ideas. In his 80s, Father has become more and more peculiar since the death of his wife, and nothing makes Big Sis and Nadia (Nadezhda) realise this than when he informs them he is to marry a 36 year old Ukrainian woman.

I must say, I felt Nadia's intense pain when her father talks about Valentina's (that's the 36 year old slut) enormous breasts and his desire to have a child with her. It is a completely horrific thought, never ever ever does a child want to discuss anything of a sexual nature with their parents, my goodness, the 'talk' was hard enough, let's not go back there! There are some brilliant scenes of Nadia meeting the 'slut' Valentina in all her glory, the enormous bosom, the long painted nails, the dyed blonde hair, the outrageous fur coat and the awful way she seems to speak. I also, loved the relationship between Big Sis (Vera) and Nadia, their differences that seem to all stem from one of them being born in the Ukraine just before the war and Nadia being the peace baby. 10 years age gap and they seem to be completely different people, with entirely different childhoods. Nadia has only seen the good, the fair, she still believes (even as an adult) that things aren't just black and white; whereas Vera has known hunger, fear, terror, she has lived through it and come out the other side. To Vera England is a safe place, one not to be taken advantage of, to Nadia it is just home.

However, as much as I enjoyed the relationships and the humorous episodes, I never once found it funny, it wasn't hilarious, I didn't roll upon the floor laughing. I laughed out loud once, while reading the last chapter, but otherwise I just wanted to find out what was going to happen. It kept you in a trap of suspense and wonder, would Valentina ever leave, would Nadia and Vera maintain their truce, what was Valentina up to and many many more. The ending was of the satisfactory kind, with  an uplifting feel.

Final verdict, if you haven't read this book you probably should, it's pretty light and easy to read. Perfect for reading on the way to work or where ever, but it certainly won't change your life.