Great book. The characters are a little stereotypical and the narrator's behaviour struck me as odd but the story kept me reading on. The story explores topics that interest me in reading material: old age, what old people were like before they were old and the secrets they keep, where old people fit in to our society, Middle East conflict, relationships. These may not be topics of interest to everyone. I would have liked the story to delve into past secrets a little more as this was the hook that first caught me but the storyline moved and as it turns out that was still ok. In her new book, Lewycka tackles the problems of the world - religion, the Holocaust, cultural identity, the concept of "home land", fanaticism, the challenges of parenting and ageing, sex, love and the dissolution of love - and I think she's bitten off more than anyone can possibly chew. The clunky title hints at what's in store. The author seems to be trying to make the point that, as human beings, we are all inter-connected. We should find a way to reconcile our cultural histories so that we can create a better future. But gaps in the overly-simplified world-view of the main character, combined with some annoying holes in the plot don't create a stable enough base upon which to build a case for world peace. This book feels like it would have benefited from being left in a drawer for a year and then examined closely for revision. I'm betting that because the subject matter is so current, Lewycka was afraid to wait too long to publish. For all the great character development, good writing and well-meant intentions, this book reads like a mouthful of glue. Impossible to spit out but too difficult to chew.
Do You like book We Are All Made Of Glue (2009)?
Cool enough. Don't think I'd be compelled to re-read it though but it's a cool enough read.
—Jennifer
Not nearly as good as Two Caravans and A Short History of.
—Aliltwisted
Said it was hilarious, but not to me. A bit odd.
—Jack
