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A review by edgwareviabank
The Lubetkin Legacy by Marina Lewycka
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Even though the two main characters (Berthold and Violet) didn't come across to me as particularly likeable, I enjoyed "The Lubetkin Legacy" for the lighthearted, entertaining story it was built to be.
I picked it up hoping for another dose of Marina Lewycka's humour (which I had enjoyed in "Various Pets Alive and Dead") and was not disappointed. I don't agree with every character's way of seeing the world and other people, but when the irony is used to show the flaws and cruelties of the British way of leaving people without means to fend for themselves, it is effective nonetheless.
The plot resolved too quickly for my liking in the final sections: some of the episodes could have unfolded at a slower pace earlier in the book, or not have taken place at all, given there is a plot twist nearly in every single chapter. Not necessarily a bad thing, as it kept me interested and immersed in the crazy, colourful world of Madeley Court, and, eventually, made me root for a happy ending. However, there are good chances a less convoluted series of events could have done the same, without the feeling that some narratives or characters are just left hanging.
I picked it up hoping for another dose of Marina Lewycka's humour (which I had enjoyed in "Various Pets Alive and Dead") and was not disappointed. I don't agree with every character's way of seeing the world and other people, but when the irony is used to show the flaws and cruelties of the British way of leaving people without means to fend for themselves, it is effective nonetheless.
The plot resolved too quickly for my liking in the final sections: some of the episodes could have unfolded at a slower pace earlier in the book, or not have taken place at all, given there is a plot twist nearly in every single chapter. Not necessarily a bad thing, as it kept me interested and immersed in the crazy, colourful world of Madeley Court, and, eventually, made me root for a happy ending. However, there are good chances a less convoluted series of events could have done the same, without the feeling that some narratives or characters are just left hanging.