Helpful Score: 2
I was lucky enough to win an advanced edition of this first novel.
This is a beautifully written book about a very strong woman in a world where strong woman are not appreciated, and her struggle to be true to herself and to reach what might seem to be an unreachable goal - happiness on her own terms. I was not sure if I would like this book, as I hate "girly" stories. But, this is not really a "girly" story. It is about overcoming obstacles and compromise. It gives a real insight into the liberated soviet satellites and how people are trying to adjust to a new world. Beautifully written, a very fast read, highly recommend it.
This is a beautifully written book about a very strong woman in a world where strong woman are not appreciated, and her struggle to be true to herself and to reach what might seem to be an unreachable goal - happiness on her own terms. I was not sure if I would like this book, as I hate "girly" stories. But, this is not really a "girly" story. It is about overcoming obstacles and compromise. It gives a real insight into the liberated soviet satellites and how people are trying to adjust to a new world. Beautifully written, a very fast read, highly recommend it.
Helpful Score: 1
Like Sandra D. who reviewed this book before me, I received an advance copy but wasn't sure I was going to like it based on the slipcover's description which mentioned Ukraine, Mafia, sexual harassment and mistresses, matchmaking services, dentures, dark humor, and "the eternal Cold War between men and women." These are topics I'm not really interested in when choosing a novel (and this one was randomly selected for me). However, by the third page, I was hooked and found it difficult to put the book down when it was time to turn the lights off at night.
I was captivated by the main character, Daria, who I was surprised to find I resonated very strongly with - though 20 years younger than I and half a world away, we shared similar problems. I can't quite put my finger on why I was so interested in her life and what happened to her, even given the resonance, but it's been a very, very long time since I enjoyed and felt deeply for a character like this. What great writing! The life she led and the limited choices (and hopes) she had before her were often utterly depressing to me, yet her strength and conviction to go on were courageous. Knowing practically nothing about Ukraine, I came away from the novel feeling I learned quite a bit and wanted to know more. It's been said in other reviews on other sites that readers found it hard to believe the author is not Ukrainian and I concur. This is a 3-dimensional, believable character you really feel for and can relate to. And the unresolved ending is perfect - this is, after all, not a lighthearted, happily-ever-after American "chicklit" fairytale.
I would not say that this is a humorous story, not even darkly so, which the slipcover also hints at. I was made to believe this would be more like the slapstick, laugh-out-loud Bridget Jones' Diary, which I love but wasn't in the mood for when I started reading. It's nothing like Bridget Jones. It's much deeper and somber, the main character far more responsible and dignified, with bigger problems to tackle. I've not read anything quite like it before and I can't wait to see what the author comes out with next. I think this would make a great movie given the right director. This is a book that I didn't believe, at the beginning, I would keep to read over and over again, but with sincere apologies to all those who have it on their Wish List, it will be staying on my bookshelf for quite some time.
I was captivated by the main character, Daria, who I was surprised to find I resonated very strongly with - though 20 years younger than I and half a world away, we shared similar problems. I can't quite put my finger on why I was so interested in her life and what happened to her, even given the resonance, but it's been a very, very long time since I enjoyed and felt deeply for a character like this. What great writing! The life she led and the limited choices (and hopes) she had before her were often utterly depressing to me, yet her strength and conviction to go on were courageous. Knowing practically nothing about Ukraine, I came away from the novel feeling I learned quite a bit and wanted to know more. It's been said in other reviews on other sites that readers found it hard to believe the author is not Ukrainian and I concur. This is a 3-dimensional, believable character you really feel for and can relate to. And the unresolved ending is perfect - this is, after all, not a lighthearted, happily-ever-after American "chicklit" fairytale.
I would not say that this is a humorous story, not even darkly so, which the slipcover also hints at. I was made to believe this would be more like the slapstick, laugh-out-loud Bridget Jones' Diary, which I love but wasn't in the mood for when I started reading. It's nothing like Bridget Jones. It's much deeper and somber, the main character far more responsible and dignified, with bigger problems to tackle. I've not read anything quite like it before and I can't wait to see what the author comes out with next. I think this would make a great movie given the right director. This is a book that I didn't believe, at the beginning, I would keep to read over and over again, but with sincere apologies to all those who have it on their Wish List, it will be staying on my bookshelf for quite some time.
