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Books : The Road HomeRating: - To be or not to be.What would you do if you lived in a post communist, economically ravaged country devoid of employment opportunities and responsible for an ageing mother and and young daughter? Perhaps, like Lev, you would leave your home and try and earn a living in a foreign land. This is the essence of Tremain's sensitive treatment of an economic migrant's almost desperate attempt to improve his lot. Tremain places the widower Lev within a harsh London landscape where suspicion, rascism and exploitation are never far from the surface. Fortunately Lev is spared the misery of most migrants and is able to find work and friends and eventually to prosper which, most importantly, benefits not only himself and his family but the country he has left. Although I found this novel lacked the weight of, for instance, Music and Silence or the Colour, and was somewhat predictable, it still displayed a beautiful, elegant prose, which involved a descriptive narrative that, for me, brought to life the contrast between the superficial consumerism of Western society and the materially poverty of Eastern Europe, albeit soon to be submerged by a flood of new money, hamburger joints and pretentious art. Rating: - Reads like a true storyWhen this book was first published I wasn't sure I would like it, but because I've enjoyed Rose Tremain's other work I decided to give it a try. I was not disappointed. There are plenty of reviews that outline the story in some detail. Suffice it to say, therefore, that the novel follows the journey of Lev from his Eastern European homeland to Britain in search of work that will enable him to better the lives of his mother and daughter in his unnamed home country. His experiences in the alien environment of London and picking asparagus on a Suffolk farm, and his eventual return to his native land may, as some reviewers have suggested, be stereotyped, but that in many ways is their strength. Rose Tremain writes beautifully, and through her pen we see how strange British society must seem to someone from a former communist regime. Her descriptions are vivid and real. We can imagine Lev's daughter Maya in her small village school, sitting on a wooden bench eating her lunch of `goat's milk and bread and pickled cucumber, with, sometimes in summer, wild strawberries from the hills above the village'; or the `two-point-five metres of stainless steel draining top' gleaming in the kitchens at GK Ashe. As the book progressed, I felt I really got to know Lev, faults and all, and was desperately hoping everything would work out for him. There were some wonderfully drawn supporting characters too: Lev's mother, Ina; his life-long friend Rudi; and his landlord, Shane Christy, with whom he developed a lasting friendship. I wondered if Lev was luckier than most migrant workers in his position, which is perhaps why some readers felt the story didn't ring true. But Lev's luck stemmed from his tenacity, from never shirking hard work or long hours, and from being quick to learn from those around him. These were among his strong points. It was his weaknesses and failings that made him so real, and vulnerable, and that threatened to derail his plans. Ultimately, the book is about loss, determination, friendship, and the will to succeed. The ending is upbeat though by no means conclusive, which is how it should be, leaving the reader wondering about the future. I found the story interesting and satisfying, although some reviewers clearly did not. In my view it is well worth the read. Highly recommended, in fact! Rating:  - A 'feel good' book that doesn't quite ring true'The Road Home' is the novel equivalent of a 'feel-good' film. It's easy to read and Tremaine has a good turn of phrase, and her characters are mostly believable. The theme is the trials and tribulations of an Eastern European migrant worker in the UK, an interesting and topical subject. I did enjoy reading this book but somehow it never quite rang true. It's not that anything particularly fantastical happens in it, yet the way things worked out just didn't seem very likely. It all seemed too neat, I suppose, but maybe I am just too cynical. It's certainly an enjoyable enough read, though not a surprising or heart wrenching one. Whether it merits a major literary prize is another matter, but most people will probably enjoy the book. Rating:  - DisappointingIt seems that for most reviewers "if it's by Rose Tremaine it must be good" I was however disappointed with this novel. Tremaine's resolute determination to emphasise only the negative aspects of immigration was so depressing and totally ignored the happy groups who fill our churches and enjoy their own social networks. I am also tired of the current fashion of knocking the British by our authors; like most nationalities we have our nasty people but most of us are great! Rating:  - Lev is not a Polish name to start withand what's with this hideous cover-your usual stereotypical approach to Eastern Europe. Do your homework first and then start thinking about writing a book. |
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