Although I enjoy most of this book as a novel it did have some disturbing elements and, if the writer did her research properly it does show the authorities to be failing badly. Although I don’t think the book gives any dates the modern day bit seems to be about the mid 1990’s so maybe the authorities weren’t quite to keen to act quickly.

At first I found the narrative quite funny but never really thought the wedding would be allowed to go ahead, especially when the two sisters had reported the matter to immigration.


Unfortunately, I got to the middle of the book when Nadia’s father had married Valentina and was being ill treated by her one the same day as I had do a POVA course. (Prevention of abuse of unable adults). And it made me realise that this man was been abused by physically and mentally and what was worse it was been ignored by nearly everyone. The policeman sat in the kitchen eyeing Valentina’s well endowed figure while the Stanislaw was locked in a room, thin dirty and depressed. And he did nothing, but took Valentina word for it. Are we to believe that British Police are really that stupid? When Valentina took Stanislaw to another branch of the practice instead of seeing his own Dr, did no-one think to question it?


But other than that part of the book it was OK. I liked the history which gave background to Vera’s life and even the tractors were quite interesting. The history told us why these sisters were so different and had taken different paths in life. Vera was in a way a bit like Valentina in wanting to be the woman in the fur coat. Stanislaw was very intelligent and you would think he would have more sense than to marry Valentina, but then he was lonely. His daughters live away and had their own lives. He was from another country with few friends so maybe it is understandable he fell for her charms. It fairly common for men to marry again soon after their wives death, but many do regret it. Woman seem to be much more able to cope alone than men. (Glad there’s not many men on here.)

I thought along the same lines as you - I found a lot of it disturbing and couldn't believe no one helped Nikolai more. Valentina was abusing him and you're right, the authorities seemed slow to act.

My dad didn't remarry after my mum passed away in 1982. He had a few admirers at work which we used to tease him about (he's a quiet, respectable man, not one for outward displays of affection and emotion). He gets spoilt by my siblings and 20 grandchildren, and loves his books, radio and TV. I suppose it's different if you have a large family on your doorstep to look after you (he moved into my sister's ground floor flat and she lives in the one above, so he's her tenant ). He's got glaucoma and tunnel vision, so he's not great on his feet, but he's in great nick otherwise. The kids keep him young. He's hardly old at 78! He has a 98 yr old neighbour who's always out walking her dogs. And his sister is well into her 80s and picks up her sons from nightclubs at 1am!! She's brilliant. Now I'm boring everyone In fact, Nikolai often reminded me of an infant, needing round the clock care, despite him having an academic mind. Of course some elderly people do need looking after, but I know lots of very active elderly people who are an inspiration. I guess what I'm trying to say is, Marina, in her interview, mentions there comes a time when the kids need to look after their parents. Of course you keep an eye out for your elderly parents, but they're not all incapable of feeding and dressing themselves. Right will stop waffling now.

20 grandchildren!!!!!!!! wow. Your Dad won't ever be alone. Both my parents are still alive but I am having to look after them more and more. I have to deal with all paperwork etc but they still get about and care for themselves ok. I remember when my grandmother died after over 50 years of marriage there was 'talk' that Granddad had got friendly with a widow and was thinking of marriage. His daughters were horrified, but the marriage didn't take place as Grandad became ill himself.

I asked Paul what he would do if his Dad was left a widower and a young woman wanted to marry him. He was adamant that the situation wouldn't arise, his Dad had more sense and he refused to even give it some thought even hyperthetically. I must say I wouldn't like my Dad to remarry if he was left on his own, especially if it was too a much younger woman. I would suspect she would be hoping to benefit financially. But if it was someone his own age and he wanted companionship I won't try to stop him.

After my divorce my ex husband married a woman 20 years his junior and my daughter was really upset for a long time. She is accepting it more now but still not happy about it.

At least Valentina never professed to been in love. But she was a mean madam who used everyone, but not very bright. If she had been kinder to him he may not have gone along with helping to get her deported. But for all her faults and bad behaviour I couldn't help but feel a bit sorry for her in the same way I could hate the man in Perfume whose name I seem to have forgotten. (Do you know when the DVD of that is out?)

At least this book gave me something to think about so it was worth reading. I like to go over a book in my mind for a few days after I have read it but sadly some books are forgetable as soon as you've read the last page.