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| Two Caravans | 
 enlarge | Author: Marina Lewycka
Publisher: Penguin
Category: Book
List Price: £7.99
Buy Used: £0.01
You Save: £7.98 (100%)
New (37) Collectible (1) from £1.69
Avg. Customer Rating:  49 reviews
Sales Rank: 1696
Media: Paperback
Pages: 320
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.4
Dimensions (in): 7.7 x 4.8 x 0.9
ISBN: 0141026995
EAN: 9780141026992
ASIN: 0141026995
Publication Date: March 5, 2008
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
Condition: Ships from the UK. Shows some signs of wear, and may have some markings on the inside. 100% Money Back Guarantee. Your purchase benefits world literacy!
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| Customer Reviews:
 Fantastic- black comedy..made my cry March 30, 2008
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
I thought this book was fabulous..it had me hooked from the first few pages and gave me an insight into a world I have little experience of...unlike other reviewers I don't think any of the characters were stereotypical and it revealed an ugly side of Britain that is only ever hinted at in the tabloid press- this gave it a human edge...and boy the section on the battery farming really hit home...have already donated to a battery hen charity...it will change your views on chicken farming forever....made me cry!
Loved how the character from her first book was interwoven into this story..
 two caravans March 25, 2008
14 out of 14 found this review helpful
Monica Lewicka does not let down her hard-earned fans with this second novel. Bringing us a myriad of detailed, funny, soulful characters, here's new insight for anyone who has ever wondered about life for strangers in a strange land. Lit from within like strawberries in the sun, Two Caravans is also one of the best-researched books I've read. If you thought those two chefs put you off eating chicken, check Lewicka's too true descriptions of farm life. I read it in a day and passed it straight on to somebody I liked. I suggest you do the same.
 Disappointing and predictable March 24, 2008
4 out of 6 found this review helpful
After reading this book I felt a very strong disappointment which I was compelled to share. This was a first book I read by Marina Lewycka but frankly I think it might be the last. It has been a struggle and I had to stop before finishing the book. There's no doubt that the author is very talented and masterfully writes about the difficult issues such as battery chicken farms. The story, however, seems to reek with so many stereotypes, cliches and old tabloid news items. I found the book very predictable however I think people that haven't been personally close to the issues in the book and only hear about it on the news might find 'Two Caravans' insightful and true to life.
 Mixed feelings March 22, 2008
4 out of 5 found this review helpful
Having much enjoyed A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian, Marina Lewycka's first novel, I looked forward to reading Two Caravans. Although her usual humour is frequently in evidence, this is a much darker tale dealing with issues such as exploitation of immigrant workers by corrupt compatriots as well as British employers; the awful truth about battery chicken farms; ecowarriors dedicated to saving the planet and the lack of care in old people's homes. However,the villains (all Russian/Ukrainian - what does she have against Ukrainians?)seemed stereotypes and her treatment of the various themes in the novel lacked originality. Indeed I felt much of the novel seemed cobbled together from sensational newspaper articles dealing with the issues. As a morality tale at least the villains receive their just deserts and there is a happy ending for the two couples Yola/Tomasz and Irina/Andriy - shame about Dog though. I did like the connection with A Short History in the form of the incorrigible Mr Mayevskyj, a great character. Overall a slight sense of disappointment in this book.
Marina Lewycka is a bloomin' genius! March 19, 2008
I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS BOOK! It's often quite melancholy but it has just enough comedy moments in it to keep the mood up. It's very poignant in places particularly about the hard times of migrants in the UK, and what's shocking is that I can totally believe the events in this book happen for real - probably on a regular basis! There are some genuinely lovely moments and some almost kinky ones! An absolute must read!
And if you haven't read it yet, you must also read A Short History of Tractors in Ukranian!
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