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La perra de tres patas de la señora Petrovna
Os presentamos a Galina Petrovna, una anciana que no se resigna a serlo. Y a Boroda, una simpática perra de tres patas. Y a Mitya, el exterminador de animales que disfruta destruyendo la felicidad ajena porque nunca ha podido ser feliz. Y, por supuesto, la Rusia de la Perestroika, un país que sale a marchas forzadas del régimen soviético para caer en un capitalismo... digamos, excéntrico.
Ya en la tercera edad, Galina Petrovna es muy consciente de que la vida no es más que una cadena de decisiones, algunas acertadas, otras completamente desastrosas. De poco sirve arrepentirse de lo que hubiera podido ser y, sin embargo, en estos momentos no puede evitarlo del todo.
Porque si le hubiera puesto un collar a su perra Boroda, esta no habría deambulado como un animal solitario por las calles. Y si la pobre y tullida perrita sin collar no hubiera andado callejeando, Mitya, el obsesivo exterminador de bichos callejeros, no se la habría llevado hacia un destino poco halagüeño. Y si el concienzudo exterminador no se hubiera apoderado de la pobre perra sin collar, Vasily, el fiel amigo de Galina, no habría acabado con sus huesos en la cárcel.
Pero Galina sabe que no merece la pena echar la vista atrás. Los años le han enseñado a pelear por lo que cree justo sin rendirse jamás. Así que lo que debe hacer ahora es salvar a su querida perra, y a su no menos querido amigo, de las garras de la burocrática justicia postsoviética. Aunque eso implique abandonar su tranquilo, y aburridísimo, pueblo natal para viajar hasta Moscú, la misma capital de la nueva Rusia democrática.
Una divertida sátira sobre la burocracia del comunismo, la tercera edad y la lucha por los ideales y la defensa del más débil.
Ya en la tercera edad, Galina Petrovna es muy consciente de que la vida no es más que una cadena de decisiones, algunas acertadas, otras completamente desastrosas. De poco sirve arrepentirse de lo que hubiera podido ser y, sin embargo, en estos momentos no puede evitarlo del todo.
Porque si le hubiera puesto un collar a su perra Boroda, esta no habría deambulado como un animal solitario por las calles. Y si la pobre y tullida perrita sin collar no hubiera andado callejeando, Mitya, el obsesivo exterminador de bichos callejeros, no se la habría llevado hacia un destino poco halagüeño. Y si el concienzudo exterminador no se hubiera apoderado de la pobre perra sin collar, Vasily, el fiel amigo de Galina, no habría acabado con sus huesos en la cárcel.
Pero Galina sabe que no merece la pena echar la vista atrás. Los años le han enseñado a pelear por lo que cree justo sin rendirse jamás. Así que lo que debe hacer ahora es salvar a su querida perra, y a su no menos querido amigo, de las garras de la burocrática justicia postsoviética. Aunque eso implique abandonar su tranquilo, y aburridísimo, pueblo natal para viajar hasta Moscú, la misma capital de la nueva Rusia democrática.
Una divertida sátira sobre la burocracia del comunismo, la tercera edad y la lucha por los ideales y la defensa del más débil.
416 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 12, 2015
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327 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
September 12, 2015
When I started reading this, I wasn't sure I'd be able to carry on. Not because of the writing or the story, but because when Boroda the three-legged dog is caught by Mitya the Exterminator it was almost too traumatic for me to cope with. In the interests of literature, I went and gave my dogs a big hug, took a deep breath, and got back in to it.
A shaggy dog story with the feel of a fable, this had me laughing out loud one minute, and blubbing the next. Powerful, quirky and written with a sure hand.
A shaggy dog story with the feel of a fable, this had me laughing out loud one minute, and blubbing the next. Powerful, quirky and written with a sure hand.
May 15, 2015
An absolutely charming story. This book was Goodreads Giveaway which I picked up and devoured as soon as it arrived.
This is a comic story of an old woman's quest to save both her dog and her friend, with help and hindrance various other colourful and eccentric characters. Set in the early post-Perestroika era, the protagnists gradually reveal their secrets and histories as they compare the past to the present.
Using a light touch and some wonderful descriptions, the story bounds along, making it a thoroughly enjoyable read.
This is a comic story of an old woman's quest to save both her dog and her friend, with help and hindrance various other colourful and eccentric characters. Set in the early post-Perestroika era, the protagnists gradually reveal their secrets and histories as they compare the past to the present.
Using a light touch and some wonderful descriptions, the story bounds along, making it a thoroughly enjoyable read.
February 18, 2019
Muchas descripciones, pero cada vez que estuve a punto de abandonarlo me sorprendió más que favorablemente. Al final lo encontré súper bueno, y además me hizo sentir en esa Rusia comunista que solo he podido ver desde mi mente. Solo el end (para no repetir palabras) no me gustó, aunque siguiendo la lógica del libro completo, fue muy original. Además, los personajes casi todos eran queribles, y eso hizo que nunca pensara en dejar a libro realmente de lado. Sentí ráfagas de ternura hacia casi todos ellos.
Cuando se hizo demasiado tedioso, confieso que avancé saltándome pedacitos (en especial en los diálogos, que tenían como una página entre cada intervención), y voilá, la maravilla. Que eso no me convierta en una mala influencia, puesto que lo leí como consejo en otra review. Pueden culpar a esa persona anónima, muajaja.
La historia de los viejos la encontré mucho más interesante que la historia del exterminador, pero al final hasta él terminó ganándose mi corazón (aunque no sé si yo personalmente podría perdonarlo tan a la velocidad del rayo). Y, en general, la cosa tiene partes fomes, pero otras ABSOLUTAMENTE MARAVILLOSAS, que me hicieron detenerme y embelesarme en ello, y si uno se fija y tiene paciencia y tiempo, hasta la sobredosis de descripciones tiene su encanto.
Tres estrellas como reflejo de mi opinión promedio, y también porque creo que lo mismo podría haberse contado, y con la misma gracia, en un libro 30 ó 40% más escueto.
(PD-SPOILER: Nunca nos dicen qué pasa al final con el gatito de Vasia, pero imagino que eso significa que quedó bien) (aunque cero responsabilidad con las mascotas estas personas).
Cita casual que destaqué:
"
- Estoy segura de que lo vi la semana pasada por el mercado y estaba comprando sandías. Uno que compra sandías no está a punto de morirse: es uno que disfruta la vida, está fuerte y lleno de ilusión. Las sandías son un signo inequívoco. Seguramente eran un regalo para la persona que lo fuese a visitar. Estoy convencida de que volverá pronto. "
(Así me siento yo con las sandías, jajaja <3 ).
Cuando se hizo demasiado tedioso, confieso que avancé saltándome pedacitos (en especial en los diálogos, que tenían como una página entre cada intervención), y voilá, la maravilla. Que eso no me convierta en una mala influencia, puesto que lo leí como consejo en otra review. Pueden culpar a esa persona anónima, muajaja.
La historia de los viejos la encontré mucho más interesante que la historia del exterminador, pero al final hasta él terminó ganándose mi corazón (aunque no sé si yo personalmente podría perdonarlo tan a la velocidad del rayo). Y, en general, la cosa tiene partes fomes, pero otras ABSOLUTAMENTE MARAVILLOSAS, que me hicieron detenerme y embelesarme en ello, y si uno se fija y tiene paciencia y tiempo, hasta la sobredosis de descripciones tiene su encanto.
Tres estrellas como reflejo de mi opinión promedio, y también porque creo que lo mismo podría haberse contado, y con la misma gracia, en un libro 30 ó 40% más escueto.
(PD-SPOILER: Nunca nos dicen qué pasa al final con el gatito de Vasia, pero imagino que eso significa que quedó bien) (aunque cero responsabilidad con las mascotas estas personas).
Cita casual que destaqué:
"
- Estoy segura de que lo vi la semana pasada por el mercado y estaba comprando sandías. Uno que compra sandías no está a punto de morirse: es uno que disfruta la vida, está fuerte y lleno de ilusión. Las sandías son un signo inequívoco. Seguramente eran un regalo para la persona que lo fuese a visitar. Estoy convencida de que volverá pronto. "
(Así me siento yo con las sandías, jajaja <3 ).
February 4, 2015
Set in 90’s Russia, this is a wonderful story that starts with a group of septuagenarians quietly resigned to old age. There’s not much beyond the Azov House of Culture Elderly Club, with its talks on cabbage root fly, and moistureless biscuits, and between weekly meetings, for Galina, the companionship of her loyal dog, Boroda.
It is an unfortunate encounter with Mitya the Exterminator, Depeche Mode loving (“yorr awn, personal dzhezuz.”) probable psychopath, that sparks off a series of events which will lead to a trans-Russian scramble. This tale includes incarceration, corrupt cops, Moscow nightclubbing, and more than one iodine-swabbed scraped knee. There will be unburdened secrets, redemption, and hope for long-discarded notions of love. Seemingly insurmountable obstacles will be scattered like bowling pins in the wake of hope and determination. Never say that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, after all.
Bennett strikes a wonderful balance between eccentric comedy and heart-squeezing emotion in this debut. It’ll likely be compared to ‘The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared’, but I think this is the better of the two.
It is an unfortunate encounter with Mitya the Exterminator, Depeche Mode loving (“yorr awn, personal dzhezuz.”) probable psychopath, that sparks off a series of events which will lead to a trans-Russian scramble. This tale includes incarceration, corrupt cops, Moscow nightclubbing, and more than one iodine-swabbed scraped knee. There will be unburdened secrets, redemption, and hope for long-discarded notions of love. Seemingly insurmountable obstacles will be scattered like bowling pins in the wake of hope and determination. Never say that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, after all.
Bennett strikes a wonderful balance between eccentric comedy and heart-squeezing emotion in this debut. It’ll likely be compared to ‘The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared’, but I think this is the better of the two.
June 21, 2015
Not as much of a giggle as I was expecting, but still well worth reading. It reminded me of both Everything is Illuminated and Short History of Tractors, both for the central characters and for the general style. Possible shades of 100 Year Old Man also. There are a few moments that made me chuckle, but I think my expectations for humour were too high; mainly I thought this was a rather sweet and somewhat poignant little story.
November 22, 2015
I really wanted to like this book. I love books set in Russia & it sounded such an intriguing plot line. In reality, I found it a struggle to read. It had interesting parts to it but a lot of it was ridiculous & definitely not a compelling read.
February 25, 2015
Playful, charming, heart-warming, funny and ultimately life-affirming book. A great first novel.
September 5, 2016
funny book based at the end of the soviet era to save a three legged dog and all the turns which happen
April 23, 2020
This was our February read for book club. Some of the other’s in the group had known a little about the book already but I didn’t have a clue what it was about.
After the blurb on the back it sounded like an interesting novel, I had a quick flick through before I started reading and I knew it was going to be an entertaining read. Galina Petrovna's Three-Legged Dog Story is set in Russia in the 90’s and we follow old Galina Petrovna and her friend Zoya who are on a quest to persuade the Russian authorities to save a three-legged dog from extermination, and to try and release her elderly neighbour from the state prison.
Although this was an entertaining and funny read, it did lack a plot. It’ really hard to explain but when I got to the end of the book it felt like I had missed something. I discussed this with my friend who read this book too and she said she felt the same but together we can’t work out why it feels like that. It’s well written, with loads of interesting details but there’s just that little something missing.
There were mixed bunch of characters in this book. Some took a liking to but others not so much. Galina and her friend Zoya were my favourite. They were like the embarrassing grandma that you don’t want to be seen with in public, because they are so loud and say things as they see it. but, yet love to bits. They actually reminded me of my grandma’s. Which made me feel so warm and fuzzy inside.
Overall I thought this was a good read. It’s very funny and very readable. I’m glad we chose it as it’s one of those books that I wouldn’t have picked up on my own if I had seen it. If you’re looking for a funny and entertaining read I would definitely recommend this one. Just beware it’s definitely not for everyone as a couple of people from our book club weren’t fans of this book.
After the blurb on the back it sounded like an interesting novel, I had a quick flick through before I started reading and I knew it was going to be an entertaining read. Galina Petrovna's Three-Legged Dog Story is set in Russia in the 90’s and we follow old Galina Petrovna and her friend Zoya who are on a quest to persuade the Russian authorities to save a three-legged dog from extermination, and to try and release her elderly neighbour from the state prison.
Although this was an entertaining and funny read, it did lack a plot. It’ really hard to explain but when I got to the end of the book it felt like I had missed something. I discussed this with my friend who read this book too and she said she felt the same but together we can’t work out why it feels like that. It’s well written, with loads of interesting details but there’s just that little something missing.
There were mixed bunch of characters in this book. Some took a liking to but others not so much. Galina and her friend Zoya were my favourite. They were like the embarrassing grandma that you don’t want to be seen with in public, because they are so loud and say things as they see it. but, yet love to bits. They actually reminded me of my grandma’s. Which made me feel so warm and fuzzy inside.
Overall I thought this was a good read. It’s very funny and very readable. I’m glad we chose it as it’s one of those books that I wouldn’t have picked up on my own if I had seen it. If you’re looking for a funny and entertaining read I would definitely recommend this one. Just beware it’s definitely not for everyone as a couple of people from our book club weren’t fans of this book.
March 28, 2025
I love a group of elderly citizens on an adventure! 4 stars
April 17, 2015
You’d be forgiven for thinking, ‘how on earth can a story set in a Russian village that time forgot (with elderly people clad in head scarves and unattractive pop socks) be remotely entertaining?’
Well, I’m sorry. I can’t shed any light on it either.
It’s just a magical read and reminds me of an alternative version of ‘Allo ‘Allo. There are some thoroughly hammed-up shenanigans to whip up quite a storm, and I absolutely loved it.
Between the consumption of vast quantities of gherkins, vodka, and tea served with jam, the residents of Azov are set for an unexpected turn of events. And it all surrounds a scruffy dog called Boroda.
The little canine might only have three legs but she’s a perfect companion for Galina Petrovna, who has been widowed for some while now.
Only Mitya seems to have achieved any delight in his life. He’s a vindictive animal exterminator who you will loathe from the first breath he draws on the page. When he encounters little Boroda waiting for Galina outside the House of Culture, he has a big grin on his face.
One of the children playing outside the club raises the alarm, but it’s too late, Boroda is missing…
From then on, each turn of the page allows the perfect caper to unfold. With a cast that is well past its expiry date, it’s lends itself to all manner of situation comedy moments.
There’s a motor bike chase, a sickle-brandishing crazy mother, MANY officials to bribe, underground connections to be made, while all the time there’s a canine rescue to organise. But it’s not all fun and games. As the plot develops, plenty of home truths crawl out from their deepest, darkest burrows concerning Galina’s husband, the chairman with a crush, and there’s just a whole heap of trouble for the exterminator man.
You can’t help but connect with every single character and the oddities that accompany them. Without creating an entirely depressive atmosphere, Andrea Bennett describes their grim, simple lives and how they’ve each settled for whatever little happiness they possess at that moment in time. We learn more about their friendships, their loves (or lack of) and their bizarre living habits.
There’s some cracking dialogue exchanged between them, which makes their personalities sing. But all the while my heart was in the wringer, forever wondering whether the witless rescuers would find Boroda and bring her home…the dry humour in this often surprising tale held my attention until I found out.
Brilliant.
4.5 / 5
Well, I’m sorry. I can’t shed any light on it either.
It’s just a magical read and reminds me of an alternative version of ‘Allo ‘Allo. There are some thoroughly hammed-up shenanigans to whip up quite a storm, and I absolutely loved it.
Between the consumption of vast quantities of gherkins, vodka, and tea served with jam, the residents of Azov are set for an unexpected turn of events. And it all surrounds a scruffy dog called Boroda.
The little canine might only have three legs but she’s a perfect companion for Galina Petrovna, who has been widowed for some while now.
Only Mitya seems to have achieved any delight in his life. He’s a vindictive animal exterminator who you will loathe from the first breath he draws on the page. When he encounters little Boroda waiting for Galina outside the House of Culture, he has a big grin on his face.
One of the children playing outside the club raises the alarm, but it’s too late, Boroda is missing…
From then on, each turn of the page allows the perfect caper to unfold. With a cast that is well past its expiry date, it’s lends itself to all manner of situation comedy moments.
There’s a motor bike chase, a sickle-brandishing crazy mother, MANY officials to bribe, underground connections to be made, while all the time there’s a canine rescue to organise. But it’s not all fun and games. As the plot develops, plenty of home truths crawl out from their deepest, darkest burrows concerning Galina’s husband, the chairman with a crush, and there’s just a whole heap of trouble for the exterminator man.
You can’t help but connect with every single character and the oddities that accompany them. Without creating an entirely depressive atmosphere, Andrea Bennett describes their grim, simple lives and how they’ve each settled for whatever little happiness they possess at that moment in time. We learn more about their friendships, their loves (or lack of) and their bizarre living habits.
There’s some cracking dialogue exchanged between them, which makes their personalities sing. But all the while my heart was in the wringer, forever wondering whether the witless rescuers would find Boroda and bring her home…the dry humour in this often surprising tale held my attention until I found out.
Brilliant.
4.5 / 5
January 10, 2016
Галина Петровна - пожилая дама с чувством собственного достоинства, категорически не хочет надевать ошейник на собаку по кличке Борода. Потому что у них соглашение: Борода просто составляет компанию Галине Петровне, а на компаньонов ошейники не надевают. Из-за этого Борода оказывается за решеткой: ее ловит собаколов Митя (фанат Depeche Mode, страдает от отношений с материю, омерзительный тип) и собирается уничтожить как дворнягу. Галина Петровна собирается из города Азова в Москву, где есть Человек, который может решить ее проблемы.
Андреа Беннет жила в России и точно представляет, о чем пишет. Ей нравитс�� наш быт, она знает русский, правильно им пользуется и, что важно, точно подмечает все детали - цветастые платья бабушек, стрижки "под Дэйва" и тонну каких-то тонкостей, в которых узнаешь знакомые вещи. Книга очень забавная, но написана с потрясающей любовью к героям. Галина Петровна сама по себе женщина непростой судьбы, которая открывается во флэшбэках - и это чуть ли не судьба всей нашей страны.
Не думаю, что у нас когда-нибудь издадут эту книгу, но категорически рекомендую: читать ее совсем несложно, язык лёгкий, а встречающиеся русские словечки транслитом не раз вызовут у вас улыбку.
Андреа Беннет жила в России и точно представляет, о чем пишет. Ей нравитс�� наш быт, она знает русский, правильно им пользуется и, что важно, точно подмечает все детали - цветастые платья бабушек, стрижки "под Дэйва" и тонну каких-то тонкостей, в которых узнаешь знакомые вещи. Книга очень забавная, но написана с потрясающей любовью к героям. Галина Петровна сама по себе женщина непростой судьбы, которая открывается во флэшбэках - и это чуть ли не судьба всей нашей страны.
Не думаю, что у нас когда-нибудь издадут эту книгу, но категорически рекомендую: читать ее совсем несложно, язык лёгкий, а встречающиеся русские словечки транслитом не раз вызовут у вас улыбку.
August 13, 2017
A very enjoyable book. Can't remember why I picked it up - maybe based solely on the title? In any case, it's funny and witty and tear-jerking. Some of the scenes I'd love to see on film, especially the end when all are in the Kommandant's office. Set in Russia in the 90s.
February 18, 2015
We all know that life is full of 'if onlys' and Galina's main 'if only' concerning the three-legged dog, Boroda, is 'if only I had put a collar on her'. Which would then not have led to Boroda being caught by the exterminator, which in turn would have meant that Vasya would not have been put in prison and Galia and Zoya would not have had their hilarious journey to Moscow to save them.
I very imaginative, well-written and light-hearted book with likeable characters, I enjoyed it very much.
I received a copy of 'Galin Petrovna's Three-Legged Dog Story' free as a Goodreads first-read giveaway. Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to read this book.
I very imaginative, well-written and light-hearted book with likeable characters, I enjoyed it very much.
I received a copy of 'Galin Petrovna's Three-Legged Dog Story' free as a Goodreads first-read giveaway. Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to read this book.
March 4, 2016
Loved this quirky, heart warming book.
February 25, 2018
Comedia de situaciones en la Rusia pos-comunista.
February 4, 2021
I'm afraid this is really a DNF review.
I picked this up as a light read, about an elderly lady's caper, a fight against the machine, with a heart- warming centre, as the descriptions and cover illustrations suggest.
It certainly has a brisk lighthearted tone and the initial scenes I read have some very funny and poignant moments.
It seems to be set in the early post-Soviet period in the far east of 1990s Russia when tmany of the former social and economic systems were breaking down. While it reads in some ways like a translation, with a sprinkling of Russian terms included for atmosphere ,it is actually a novel written in English.
What put me off was that the descriotions of grime,decrepitude and literally stomach-- turning filth which I thought were there to set the scene by comic excess, seemed to continue and it ceased to be enjoyable or, after the initial shock value, very funny,and became rather depressing.
I might describe the tone as full- flow after- hours Billy Connolly meets the Keystone Cops- This was OK in small doses,about 50 pages,and I could see an interesting story line about beating rhe sytayem developing,but the unrelieved downbeat detail just put me off.
I may seem prissy,vbut having the door of a disgustingly over-used communal toilet opened by a pretty girl with urine-stained toilet paper sticking to one dainty shoe is just one example, funny as it was for one- off shock value. Get over this and there looks to be a happy ending against the odds to enjoy.
I picked this up as a light read, about an elderly lady's caper, a fight against the machine, with a heart- warming centre, as the descriptions and cover illustrations suggest.
It certainly has a brisk lighthearted tone and the initial scenes I read have some very funny and poignant moments.
It seems to be set in the early post-Soviet period in the far east of 1990s Russia when tmany of the former social and economic systems were breaking down. While it reads in some ways like a translation, with a sprinkling of Russian terms included for atmosphere ,it is actually a novel written in English.
What put me off was that the descriotions of grime,decrepitude and literally stomach-- turning filth which I thought were there to set the scene by comic excess, seemed to continue and it ceased to be enjoyable or, after the initial shock value, very funny,and became rather depressing.
I might describe the tone as full- flow after- hours Billy Connolly meets the Keystone Cops- This was OK in small doses,about 50 pages,and I could see an interesting story line about beating rhe sytayem developing,but the unrelieved downbeat detail just put me off.
I may seem prissy,vbut having the door of a disgustingly over-used communal toilet opened by a pretty girl with urine-stained toilet paper sticking to one dainty shoe is just one example, funny as it was for one- off shock value. Get over this and there looks to be a happy ending against the odds to enjoy.
December 5, 2017
Some of the scenes in this book reminded me of Tom Sharpe’s style of humour.
I really liked the description of the dawn after they left the disco.
Several characters are also found in the later book, Two Cousins of Azov.
I really liked the description of the dawn after they left the disco.
Several characters are also found in the later book, Two Cousins of Azov.
February 3, 2021
La verdad me llevé una grata sorpresa leyendo este libro, tiene la dosis justa de comedia y drama, todo muy bien balanceado, aunque tal vez sea un poco más largo de lo necesario, algunas descripciones se me hicieron un poco largas y pesadas.
Hay partes que están relatadas desde el punto de vista de la perrita y son muy adorables.
Un libro muy tierno y conmovedor.
Hay partes que están relatadas desde el punto de vista de la perrita y son muy adorables.
Un libro muy tierno y conmovedor.
January 24, 2018
Wonderful
I have family in Russia and it brought back so many happy memories. I could see in my mind the places and the characters spot on! Very funny but sad at times Mityas crazy mother brilliant could of been my Auntie Zena Thank you for the best book I've read for ages
I have family in Russia and it brought back so many happy memories. I could see in my mind the places and the characters spot on! Very funny but sad at times Mityas crazy mother brilliant could of been my Auntie Zena Thank you for the best book I've read for ages
March 14, 2021
I enjoyed this book. It was heart warming in some instances, although not the fastest paced read.
December 2, 2022
This is a good tale, plainly told. Yeltsin's seamy Russia is clearly drawn, the story is far-fetched but fun. Three stars rather than four only because few of the characters have depth.
October 4, 2016
Ein zu gewolltes Werk über scheinbare Abenteuer einer alten russischen Dame
Das Buch: Die alte Dame Galina Petrowna hat einen dreibeinigen Hund Boroda, und ist damit die Attraktion unter den Nachbarskindern in einer russischen Provinz. Doch eines Tages wird der Hund von einem Hundefänger weggebracht. Galina macht sich mit ihrem Verehrer Wasja auf den Weg, um den Hund wieder zu befreien. Doch zwischenzeitlich wird auch Wasja wegen Bestechung verhaftet. Und so muss nun Galina nicht nur ihren geliebten Hund retten, sondern auch Wasja aus dem Gefängnis. Zusammen mit ihrer Freundin Soja begibt sie sich nun auf eine abenteuerliche Reise nach Moskau und zurück….
Fazit: Dieses Buch verspricht durch die Story und Aufmachung den russischen Charme. Leider kann dieses Buch dies nicht halten, wohl auch deshalb, dass eine amerikanische Autorin versucht, ein russisches Buch zu schreiben. Gelungen ist es ihr nicht. Die Story um Galina plätschert so vor sich hin. Und eigentlich macht Galina auch kaum etwas. Klar, sie ist eine alte Dame, doch ein wenig mehr Tatendrang und Witz hätte man schon von ihr erwarten können. Folglich ergeben sich weder wundersame noch Abenteuer im Leben der Galina Petrowna. Hier ist leider der deutsche Titel ungemein irreführend.
Doch was macht Galina nun tatsächlich in diesem Buch? Nun ja…. Sie fährt nach Moskau ins Ministerium um Gnade zu erwirken. Und dort wartet sie, bis sie dran ist. Der Hund ist dabei schnell vergessen, da der heimliche Verehrer Wasja ja noch einsitzt und gerettet werden muss. Irgendwann fährt sie wieder zurück in ihre Stadt und das war es (ob sie nun erfolgreich in Moskau war, das müsst ihr schon selbst lesen ;-)). Sie lässt sich treiben im Strudel der Ereignisse. Und letztendlich ist der Hund mehr oder weniger egal. Sehr schade.
Auch die Bekehrung von dem Hundefänger Mitja wirkt ein wenig zu aufgesetzt. Und die ganzen familiären Verbindungen zwischen den Charakteren, die sich dann auch noch ganz zufällig in einem Büro treffen…. Naja…. Überhaupt sollen alle Charaktere charmant und witzig herüberkommen. Doch das allein reicht für ein Buch nun mal nicht aus.
Zusammenfassend erscheint dieses Buch einfach zu sehr gewollt. Dies sieht man in den Charakteren, deren Aktionen und der Szenerie. Es ist einfach zu aufgesetzt. Und so wird aus den wundersamen Abenteuern der Galina Petrowna ein doch eher wundersames Buch.
https://booksoftination.wordpress.com...
Das Buch: Die alte Dame Galina Petrowna hat einen dreibeinigen Hund Boroda, und ist damit die Attraktion unter den Nachbarskindern in einer russischen Provinz. Doch eines Tages wird der Hund von einem Hundefänger weggebracht. Galina macht sich mit ihrem Verehrer Wasja auf den Weg, um den Hund wieder zu befreien. Doch zwischenzeitlich wird auch Wasja wegen Bestechung verhaftet. Und so muss nun Galina nicht nur ihren geliebten Hund retten, sondern auch Wasja aus dem Gefängnis. Zusammen mit ihrer Freundin Soja begibt sie sich nun auf eine abenteuerliche Reise nach Moskau und zurück….
Fazit: Dieses Buch verspricht durch die Story und Aufmachung den russischen Charme. Leider kann dieses Buch dies nicht halten, wohl auch deshalb, dass eine amerikanische Autorin versucht, ein russisches Buch zu schreiben. Gelungen ist es ihr nicht. Die Story um Galina plätschert so vor sich hin. Und eigentlich macht Galina auch kaum etwas. Klar, sie ist eine alte Dame, doch ein wenig mehr Tatendrang und Witz hätte man schon von ihr erwarten können. Folglich ergeben sich weder wundersame noch Abenteuer im Leben der Galina Petrowna. Hier ist leider der deutsche Titel ungemein irreführend.
Doch was macht Galina nun tatsächlich in diesem Buch? Nun ja…. Sie fährt nach Moskau ins Ministerium um Gnade zu erwirken. Und dort wartet sie, bis sie dran ist. Der Hund ist dabei schnell vergessen, da der heimliche Verehrer Wasja ja noch einsitzt und gerettet werden muss. Irgendwann fährt sie wieder zurück in ihre Stadt und das war es (ob sie nun erfolgreich in Moskau war, das müsst ihr schon selbst lesen ;-)). Sie lässt sich treiben im Strudel der Ereignisse. Und letztendlich ist der Hund mehr oder weniger egal. Sehr schade.
Auch die Bekehrung von dem Hundefänger Mitja wirkt ein wenig zu aufgesetzt. Und die ganzen familiären Verbindungen zwischen den Charakteren, die sich dann auch noch ganz zufällig in einem Büro treffen…. Naja…. Überhaupt sollen alle Charaktere charmant und witzig herüberkommen. Doch das allein reicht für ein Buch nun mal nicht aus.
Zusammenfassend erscheint dieses Buch einfach zu sehr gewollt. Dies sieht man in den Charakteren, deren Aktionen und der Szenerie. Es ist einfach zu aufgesetzt. Und so wird aus den wundersamen Abenteuern der Galina Petrowna ein doch eher wundersames Buch.
https://booksoftination.wordpress.com...
March 5, 2015
This was one of the most unpleasant books I have had the misfortune to have read.
If the subject of the story had been any of the ethnic minorities who live in the UK then the book would have been considered a racist tract but because it is about the Russians then anything goes.
According to Bennett there is no saving grace in all the Russian nation. The men are vicious, incompetent drunks who spend all day either getting drunk or recovering from a hangover. Russian women come out of it slightly better, but only just.
As the majority of women are older they are depicted as doddering grandmothers who are barely hanging on to reality, if not suffering from dementia then at least suffering from short term memory loss and forgetting what they were supposed to be doing. Even the only young female to appear for any length of time is not quite right, there are flaws in her looks and her character even though her heart's in the right place.
As for the environment it seems that Bennett has gone though her dictionary in an attempt to use every negative adjective possible. Everything is dirty, everything is decrepit, everything is in a greater or lesser state of decay. All the people the two old women meet during their trip to Moscow are surly, incompetent and lazy. Corruption is the driving force and without the greasing of palms nothing will get done.
That is, unless they are able to call upon the good offices of a senile old ex-KGB officer – whose role in the Soviet period is never specified.
Although the novel is set in the 1990s, the early years after the dismantling of the Soviet structure, this is nothing other than a Cold War attack upon the Russian people in the guise of 'humour'. I didn't notice any of this 'humour' as the bitterness of Bennett's writing overwhelms any Svejk like situations she seeks to create.
Bennett lived and worked in the country during the period she writes about and it must have been a traumatic experience for her if this novel is the result. It is her first, it is to be hoped it is her last.
A Goodreads First Reads winner.
If the subject of the story had been any of the ethnic minorities who live in the UK then the book would have been considered a racist tract but because it is about the Russians then anything goes.
According to Bennett there is no saving grace in all the Russian nation. The men are vicious, incompetent drunks who spend all day either getting drunk or recovering from a hangover. Russian women come out of it slightly better, but only just.
As the majority of women are older they are depicted as doddering grandmothers who are barely hanging on to reality, if not suffering from dementia then at least suffering from short term memory loss and forgetting what they were supposed to be doing. Even the only young female to appear for any length of time is not quite right, there are flaws in her looks and her character even though her heart's in the right place.
As for the environment it seems that Bennett has gone though her dictionary in an attempt to use every negative adjective possible. Everything is dirty, everything is decrepit, everything is in a greater or lesser state of decay. All the people the two old women meet during their trip to Moscow are surly, incompetent and lazy. Corruption is the driving force and without the greasing of palms nothing will get done.
That is, unless they are able to call upon the good offices of a senile old ex-KGB officer – whose role in the Soviet period is never specified.
Although the novel is set in the 1990s, the early years after the dismantling of the Soviet structure, this is nothing other than a Cold War attack upon the Russian people in the guise of 'humour'. I didn't notice any of this 'humour' as the bitterness of Bennett's writing overwhelms any Svejk like situations she seeks to create.
Bennett lived and worked in the country during the period she writes about and it must have been a traumatic experience for her if this novel is the result. It is her first, it is to be hoped it is her last.
A Goodreads First Reads winner.
April 21, 2015
This book grabbed me from the beginning - possibly because I grew up in
a post-communist country and had a good reference point. From the very first
page the book reminded me of "Master and Margarita" by M. Bulgakov - with
all the idiosyncrasies, the absurdity of Soviet life and the satirical portrait of
corrupt authorities.
Galina Petrovna sets out on a mission to free her dog and save it from the fate of
a typical stray. In this valiant quest she is joined by her oldest friend and her
even older cousin, who in the good old days had powerful connections and
authority of unnamed, but feared organisation. They travel through Moscow,
like Dante in his Inferno - from levels of the almighty burocracy, through the
night club, where all three get completely drunk and where, surprisingly, they
meet with the "saviour" of the poor canine, to a prison, where all parties go
through cathartic revelation and ... everything finishes with a kind of happy
end.
I liked it, but the question is if a person without any background knowledge
could understand and enjoy such an absurd tale.
a post-communist country and had a good reference point. From the very first
page the book reminded me of "Master and Margarita" by M. Bulgakov - with
all the idiosyncrasies, the absurdity of Soviet life and the satirical portrait of
corrupt authorities.
Galina Petrovna sets out on a mission to free her dog and save it from the fate of
a typical stray. In this valiant quest she is joined by her oldest friend and her
even older cousin, who in the good old days had powerful connections and
authority of unnamed, but feared organisation. They travel through Moscow,
like Dante in his Inferno - from levels of the almighty burocracy, through the
night club, where all three get completely drunk and where, surprisingly, they
meet with the "saviour" of the poor canine, to a prison, where all parties go
through cathartic revelation and ... everything finishes with a kind of happy
end.
I liked it, but the question is if a person without any background knowledge
could understand and enjoy such an absurd tale.
April 7, 2016
This was a Book Club book I doubt I would have come across or read otherwise. Sadly, pretty much straightaway I realised it wasn't the book for me, and I confess to skimming a certain amount of it. The sections with the older characters in particular annoyed me - the author seemed to be trying too hard to be lighthearted and quirky, but it just didn't work for me, and I didn't care about them. I also found it all overly descriptive about stuff that didn't matter very much, with a frustrating lack of real info about Russia.
This book put me, perhaps inevitably, in mind of The 100 Year Old Man who Climbed out of a Window and Disappeared, which I loved, and the 2nd by that author which I enjoyed less, as well as A Short History of Tractors in the Ukraine, which was OK, but I couldn't get thru the next by that author, so overall I guess it's not really my genre.
To end on a positive note tho, I did rather enjoy the love story element, and did care about the 2 people involved.
This book put me, perhaps inevitably, in mind of The 100 Year Old Man who Climbed out of a Window and Disappeared, which I loved, and the 2nd by that author which I enjoyed less, as well as A Short History of Tractors in the Ukraine, which was OK, but I couldn't get thru the next by that author, so overall I guess it's not really my genre.
To end on a positive note tho, I did rather enjoy the love story element, and did care about the 2 people involved.
March 10, 2015
This novel does nothing to dispel preconceived stereotypes of Russia with its headscarved babushkas and the feeling that everything just a little bit out of date. No, this novel thrives on these stereotypes. This novel is a massive 'haha look at those Russians aren't they poor and weird and ridiculous?!' novel. Considering Bennett has a background of living and working in Russia I hoped the book would be different. I found it very mocking and felt we were supposed to laugh at the characters instead of with them, which made it hard for me to enjoy, along with it being ludicrously farfetched. Bennett also should considering chopping up some of the novel's gargantuan paragraphs into smaller, digestible pieces.
I didn't feel as if I was reading about a real Russia and didn't like the tone. I wanted something to shake off stereotypes rather than cling to them.
I didn't feel as if I was reading about a real Russia and didn't like the tone. I wanted something to shake off stereotypes rather than cling to them.
December 5, 2015
A huge potential gone to waste. I found this tedious & skim read a lot of it. A very strange depiction of - well, I would say the elderly but all the characters are most odd. I think there was one passage, during Vasily's time in prison, that I found poignant.
I struggled through because the only character I could relate to was Boroda, the three legged dog of the title & I thought, if I didn't get anything else from the book, I'd know that Boroda was reunited with her rescuer. She wasn't.
I usually like Russian fiction. Although this is set in Russia & all the characters are Russian, the author sounds distinctly not Russian. I haven't done any research so I don't know the background.
I wouldn't discourage anyone else from reading it but it certainly didn't live up to my expectations.
I struggled through because the only character I could relate to was Boroda, the three legged dog of the title & I thought, if I didn't get anything else from the book, I'd know that Boroda was reunited with her rescuer. She wasn't.
I usually like Russian fiction. Although this is set in Russia & all the characters are Russian, the author sounds distinctly not Russian. I haven't done any research so I don't know the background.
I wouldn't discourage anyone else from reading it but it certainly didn't live up to my expectations.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 18, 2016
I had to put the book down because: it is depressing and not funny. The humour based on motivations of old people, children and animals does not support the format of novel. It would be more exciting as a graphic novel. For people who lived through these experiences most of formative years of their life it is equal to banal and sounds offensive.
I have also noted the author is adapting the style of Alan Bennet who writes about similar categories of people using tragic-comedy genre to stimulate interest.
Having lived expatriate life for a long time myself I understand the author motivation to upload the emotions she experience during her years in Russia but it came out as one gentle bleat.
For reflection on Soviet style of life I would recommend Andrey Kyrkov.
I have also noted the author is adapting the style of Alan Bennet who writes about similar categories of people using tragic-comedy genre to stimulate interest.
Having lived expatriate life for a long time myself I understand the author motivation to upload the emotions she experience during her years in Russia but it came out as one gentle bleat.
For reflection on Soviet style of life I would recommend Andrey Kyrkov.
October 10, 2016
The story is chiefly about the humans involved in the rescue attempt of Baroda, the tri-legged canine in the title. A thoroughly unpleasant dog-catcher gets his hands on Baroda, and chaos ensues. Although the book blurb tries to tell us the book is a light, funny read, I'm not so sure about this. The author lived and worked in Russia and it shows - the book is an authentic, very unvarnished picture of elderly Russians trying to live in modern post-Yeltsin Russia. The writing is very physical - plenty of farts, sweating, smelly people, drunken citizens everywhere; not to mention cruelty, violence and corruption. Despite the candid exposure to very ordinary Russians, I did enjoy the book.
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