A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian by Marina Lewycka

Laugh out loud funny, a good light read. The story is an insight into the difficulties faced by many families and the struggles that come with age. 

Mostly told through direct speech and little authorial intrusion. Marina Lewycka introduces her characters slowly, unraveling mysteries and flaws with stories of the past. Description is not what makes it unusual. Although the novel is mostly seen through the eyes of one character, actions and decisions taken by other characters and how they are revealed make up a large part in how the reader judges the characters.

I particularly enjoyed the way the plot breaks with snippets of detail and history about tractors in Ukraine, a book that one of the characters writes. The novel within a novel, mise-en-abime, technique works really well with the main plot. The differences of the two stories highlighting the vast differences in society and between the two cultures: Ukrainian and British.

The plot would make for an excellent script of a play as I think there is strengh in the story and characters to entertain and educate an audience.

A good novel if you are looking for something different. Not your average classic love story or war history novel.

Favourite quotation:

"Weddings like funerals, provide the perfect arena for family drama: there are the rituals, symbolic costumes, and every opportunity for snobbery in its many guises."

Birdsong by Rachel Wagstaff at The Comedy Theatre

Passion, forbidden love and brutality of the battleground

 

Ben Barnes says: "It's amazing how many people have tapped into this book as something that feels very personal to them, even though it's fictional." in BBC News interview. This stage version of Sebastian Faulk’s best-loving novel, is able to convey this very feeling.  The love-war tale against a war backdrop is epic. Gripping scenes transport the viewer, between the tearful love story and the tragedies of war.

The use of juxtaposition from one scene to another adds to the vulnerable state of the characters and delicate situations they face. The acting is successful in conveying the journeys of love and war faced and how in turn, these mature them. 

Costumes add to the beautiful simplicity: Lisette’s white garments contrasting with Isabella’s splashes of red. Battleground and trench scene attire bring forward to uniform-like nature of the situation, with little difference between the men: They all face the same daily living nightmare. 

Depictions of life on the trenches and the battles are recreated through outstanding set designs. The juxtaposition of clear daylight, fresh air and laughter of previous scenes with Isabella and Stephen with those of cramp and dimly lit underground trenches is a stark reminder of the life thousands of soldiers lived through. In addition to this, the birdsong that is heard and echoed on the empty, silent battlefield is chilling to the bones and reminiscent of Faulk’s harrowing descriptions of the scenes at the Somme. 

Transporting you emotionally, the sounds and lighting augment the reality. The roll of names of officers killed during the Battle of the Somme, with the simplicity of the stage is harrowing. The manner in which the names are called out in subsequent order, with a distinct lack of emotion highlights the futility of war and disturbing realism of the number of lives lost.

The entrapment scene with Stephen and Jack is particularly commendable. The acting is magnificent, showcasing the camaraderie between soldiers in situations of life and death. This followed by a striking field of red poppies on a bed of grass. A perfect ending to a remarkable show.   

Poignant, enthralling and beautifully acted. Not to be missed.

 

Sources: 

BBC Interview with Ben Barnes- http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-11288511

 http://www.birdsongtheplay.com/ 

Cast: The stage version has been penned by Rachel Wagstaff, with Trevor Nunn directing. Alongside Barnes, the cast includes Nicholas Farrell (Chariots of Fire), Iain Mitchell (La Cage Aux Folles), Genevieve O'Reilly (Spooks) Lee Ross (EastEnders) and Zoe Waites (The Other Boleyn Girl).

The Time Traveller's Wife- novel by Audrey Niffenegger and film directed by Robert Schwentke

This was a publishing sensation. Could it be due to the fact that the novel combines two of the most loved types of genre, romance/love and fantasy/sci-fi? One thing is for certain, it definately has a page-turner quality about it. 

Having read the book and then watched the film adaptation, I believe the novel would have been better translated into a mini series on television rather than a film, because a series could have celebrated the page-turner quality to build up suspense and create further interest. For example, it is clear from early on that Henry is a time-traveller in the film, whereas the build-up to the explanation leaves the reader speculating while reading the novel. This could have been used to heighten curiosity in a television series format. I am not convinced that viewers of the film who had not previously read the novel got the same sense of urgency that comes across in Niffenegger's novel, particularly in the earlier time travelling scenes.

Niffenegger writes most of the novel using direct speech. The flicking back and forth from past, present and future works well as a way for the reader to appreciate the urgency and sense of time that Henry experiences. The narration splits also, at times being told through Claire's eyes whilst other times through Henry's. While I appreciate this literary technique in other works- namely Margaret Atwood's novels, in this it did not work as well. There was something missing for me: a lack of description and authorial intrusion made it feel almost like a script at some points in the novel. However, one thing is clear: the novel is called The Time Traveller's Wife, not 'The Time Traveller' and the reader is able to feel more sensitivity towards Claire than Henry. It is fair to say that it is not as evident in the film and at times almost feels as if the novel centres around Henry. 

Overall I would say that the mixture of themes used and the way in which the novel opens and finishes are its more stronger qualities. However, I did not feel the urge to immediately recommend it or reading further on the work and author upon completion. Whilst it would appeal to many readers, it did not tick the boxes of things I seek in a work of fiction. Finally, one thing I would suggest is for readers to watch the film adaptation and compare the differences.