Sophia C. reviewed on 12/22/2013 + 289 more book reviews

A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian isn't so much a treatise on agricultural machinery as family drama that is by turns comedic and poignant. Our narrator Nadezhda is the younger daughter of a retired engineer set on marrying a much younger, buxom Ukrainian woman to rescue her from the old country. To save her father from this potential gold digger, she must join forces with her sister Vera, with whom she had a falling out after their mother's death. I learned a bit about 20th century Ukrainian history (as did Nadezhda as flashbacks inform her understanding of her family's trials) and the British legal system along the way. It was a fun read from the list of 1001 books you must read before you die.

Back to all reviews by this member
Back to all reviews of this book
Back to Book Reviews
Back to Book Details