McCampLeggBell discussion

it was interesting how all the characters reacted differently to Valentina ... who do you agree with?

and what about Nikolai's book about tractors - is it a history, a memoir, or something else?

I wonder if the daughters reacted the way that they did purely for selfish reasons - money (even though he wasn't a rich man) He just wanted sex (although I'm still a bit undecided as the whether he actually got it, or better still - how he got it??

Her husband (or ex??) was interesting. He allowed all this to happen - he didn't seem concerned.

In answer to your question "who do I agree with" - none of them really. She was prejudged (maybe correctly as she did take him for a ride) I couldn't really identify with anyone. I found myself thinking just leave him to it and just get on with your own lives - he is a silly old fool, but then someone had to help look after him. Maybe if the daughters hadn't gone at Valentina the way that they did she may have been better with him. Sometimes intense critism from outside makes people want to strike out rather than be cooperative and pleasant.

Nikolai's book bored me. When I got to those parts and skipped them. I think he thought that it was a history, but what he was really doing was occupying his time.

What did you think of Valentina??

nah I didn't like her - but she was the most interesting character by a long stretch ... I'm constantly amazed at people who can be selfish like that - and get away with it! ...

I agree about the tractor book ...I kept
reading thinking there'll be some link here - surely ... but I couldn't see it ...

boring ... next book!!

"boring...next book!!" ....... made me laugh