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Title: sad,charming and surprisingly good
Review: This book is a big hit in Australia and my curiosity compelled me to recommend it for my book group.Ultimately, I very much enjoyed it. Yes, it was farcsical at times and the viagra jokes were getting a bit tired. Valentina is a huge stereotypical 'type'(in joke here)but great fun in lots of ways.The excerpts from Nicolai's Tractor book became a bit dull, but the historical references to the war, Stalin and the labour camps were insightful and thought provoking.Deviating from the main story of crass,coniving refugee trying to take advantage of a poor crazy old man, I was drawn to the 'family' story and particualrly the relationship between the two sisters and their relationship with their father. The irony is that without the greedy 'slut' divorcee the sisters would still be on non-speaking terms and their father would be dying of loneliness.I would acutally like to give this 4 1/2 stars as 4 doesnt seem enought, yet 5 doesnt allow for the odd flaw.
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