A SHORT HISTORY OF TRACTORS IN UKRANIAN
"Valentina is miffed at being excluded from the consultation, since she believes it was she who first brought my father's madness to the attention of the authorities. She is even more miffed when my father emerges with a beam of triumph on his face.
'Very intelligent doctor. He says I not crazy. You crazy!'
She barges into the psychatrist's office and starts to berate him in a variety of languages. The doctor calls the hospital porters and she is asked to leave. She flounces out throwing offensive remarks about Indians over her shoulder.
'OK, Pappa, so the visit to the psychiatrist was a success. But what happened to your head? Where did you get that cut?'
'Ah, this too is Valentina's doing. After she failed to have me certified as insane, she attempted to murder me.'"
-Marina Lewycka
Why you should read this book: It's funny, it's modern, it's old fashioned, the dialogue is hilarious and I LOVE IT. It's a mix of stubborn old men, with daughters who think they know everything, and also, the inevitable appearance of a buxom, trampy middle-aged tart who thinks she can get away with seducing fathers. If I had to pick best read of the year (so far), this would be it.