Scan barcode
jennifer_d's review against another edition
3.0
A character-driven story (i.e. not for those who want a strong plot line) that is mostly interesting but also a little underwhelming. However, overall, an enjoyable read, and an interesting example of an immigrant experience in the US.
I enjoyed the diverse set of characters and the fact that Oksana has her fair share of flaws, yet she evolves over the course of the novel. I'm not a big fan of the large jumps in timeline, I usually found it disruptive. Additionally, some of the time periods of the novel use a real major national event at the center to (realistically) contribute to Oksana's character development, except they are a little too brief/abrupt for my taste. It's hard to adequately cover this much of a person's life in relatively few pages, and I think this novel could have used some additional depth.
I enjoyed the diverse set of characters and the fact that Oksana has her fair share of flaws, yet she evolves over the course of the novel. I'm not a big fan of the large jumps in timeline, I usually found it disruptive. Additionally, some of the time periods of the novel use a real major national event at the center to (realistically) contribute to Oksana's character development, except they are a little too brief/abrupt for my taste. It's hard to adequately cover this much of a person's life in relatively few pages, and I think this novel could have used some additional depth.
anniemccormick1025's review
4.0
I would say 3.5-4, I enjoyed most of the story but wish we had gotten more of the grandmother since she seemed to play such a large role in Oksanas development. A very enjoyable read overall.
bookherd's review
4.0
This book follows Oksana, a child of Ukrainian immigrants to the US, as she grows up from a 7 year old hoping her schoolmates don't notice her grandmother waiting to pick her up after school, to a mother-to-be attending her grandmother's funeral in Kiev. Her energy, acerbic outlook, and full-tilt approach to life get her in trouble, especially as a child, but also make her irresistible--to read about, but apparently also to the people in her life. One storyline of the book leads to Oksana's realization of how much she is like her beloved Baba, whom she has always viewed as a somewhat outrageous character with an operatic life story.
I thought about labeling this as a comic novel, but decided not to. It is very funny in places but not all the way through, and I don't think comedy was its central goal. It's a light-spirited growing up story. Don't let the cover art (which I love) fool you.
I thought about labeling this as a comic novel, but decided not to. It is very funny in places but not all the way through, and I don't think comedy was its central goal. It's a light-spirited growing up story. Don't let the cover art (which I love) fool you.
annetjeberg's review against another edition
4.0
Yes, Oksana was annoying at times, but I found her charming over all, really struggling being a daughter to an immigrant family. Trying to live up to expectations, and finding her own way in the USA.
Just wonder how autobiographical this book is...
Just wonder how autobiographical this book is...
sparrinello7's review against another edition
5.0
loved it, very entertaining. first chapters were harder to get into bc the character was young, but only got better as it went on
tmleblanc's review
2.0
Definitely a different kind of read. A string of incidents about growing up as an immigrant — a bit melancholy, depressing and awkward. Probably not a read for people looking for a happy ending.
“Another day closer to oblivion, here we go!”
“Another day closer to oblivion, here we go!”
lblattttt's review
3.0
Thank you NetGalley and Publisher, Spiegel & Grau for letting read the ARC.
Oh dear, sweet Oksana. How you frustrate me. This is a very character heavy, little plot book. So if plot is your thing, I wouldnt suggest this one. Oksana moves from Ukraine to America with her family to live the American "dream." Oksana has no filter and never feels bad about her actions and how they impact people around her.
The book has peaks and valleys and you want Oksana to learn from her actions, she just never does.
Oh dear, sweet Oksana. How you frustrate me. This is a very character heavy, little plot book. So if plot is your thing, I wouldnt suggest this one. Oksana moves from Ukraine to America with her family to live the American "dream." Oksana has no filter and never feels bad about her actions and how they impact people around her.
The book has peaks and valleys and you want Oksana to learn from her actions, she just never does.
neenakay's review
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
A beautifully written YA book that I sped red through because I loved the story. The story includes the Holodomor, a Genocide against the Ukrainian people that was carried out during Stalin’s reign in 1932-1933. The estimates are over 6 million dead in one year…
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide
tobyyy's review
3.0
2.5/5 stars, rounded up.
I’ll be honest. This book has no plot. It’s 100% character-driven, each chapter a vignette from a different part of Oksana’s life, in chronological order. Sometimes the vignettes occur within a year of each other, other times there are huge gaps and huge events that occurred between chapters (such as the death of a family member and the birth of another).
The writing isn’t bad and the characters do feel very real. But if you’re looking for a book with a plot, this is not for you.
I’ll be honest. This book has no plot. It’s 100% character-driven, each chapter a vignette from a different part of Oksana’s life, in chronological order. Sometimes the vignettes occur within a year of each other, other times there are huge gaps and huge events that occurred between chapters (such as the death of a family member and the birth of another).
The writing isn’t bad and the characters do feel very real. But if you’re looking for a book with a plot, this is not for you.