A novel about family. Lewycka has once again brought to life brilliantly detailed characters whose individual lives are informed by their shared history. Loved the intricate details Lewycka has sprinkled through the story and tied together. She also did a remarkable job at pointing out the ways in which commitments to certain anti-capitalist and feminist ideologies can become ironically latent over time for most people. Through the lives of her characters she shows how the world makes it difficult to cling to these commitments. Some very funny moments. Mixed feelings about the ending though. I don't really know what to say about this book. I was expecting it to be 'laugh out loud' funny but didn't really find it that funny - maybe just 'charming' in places. I really liked the structure where short chapters depict what each character is doing at the moment & this made me want to keep reading to get to continue that character's story. I liked the characters - particularly Doro and enjoyed reading about the commune days & remembering the money grabbing heady days of the 80's - quite timely with the death of Margaret Thatcher this week. My only problem came at the end. It just all seemed to finish in a too convenient and predictable way & I ended up feeling a bit of a mug for reading the book!Mostly we'll written & fast-paced though and certainly not a chore to read.
Nice enough but not breathtaking. I loved her orevious one: We're all made of glue.
—clockworkchaos
This book made me laugh out loud in places, very enjoyable read.
—BVALDOVINOS17
Story tried too hard to be quirky; style was only so-so.
—shay020411
Hilarious, as all her other books have been!
—jocelyn3
