Book review – The good, the bad and a little bit stupid

Mike Beckett

It is not easy to write genuinely funny stories, Marina Lewycka is one of the few who have this skill. Her first book, A short history of tractors in Ukrainian, became a deserved best seller.  The good, the bad and a little bit stupid, the sixth she has written, keeps up her standard of excellent writing, an ingenious plot and being very funny. 

The story is set in Sheffield, the main characters are George a retired school teacher with a wandering eye and a serious lack of common sense. His wife Rosie also a teacher but still working. His thirty something year old, self centred daughter Cassie and son Sid (serious Sid) who teaches mathematics at the local college. The neighbour Brenda, a hairdresser, who has lured George away from his wife, and a dog Heidi.   

When George discovers several million pounds has appeared in his semi dormant secondary bank account he is convinced that he has won a overseas lottery – although he can’t remember ever taking a ticket. Sid cannot convince him that it’s probably a scam but at least talks him into changing his password as a security. 

The reality is that an overseas gang had used the account to hide the money overnight as part of a money laundering exercise. When they went to move it on and found the password had been changed they were not well pleased.  

Things quickly get out of hand with the gang using an attractive gang moll to entice George to give the new password but he can’t remember what he had changed it to it. He is subsequently ends up in the gang’s headquarters on an Adriatic Island. 

George now needs a rescue.  Will his by now completely fed up family put aside their differences and come to the rescue? 

As with Marina’s other books, along with being funny romp, in the background runs a serious comment on modern life. In this case it is the way that Brexit had caused unsettled arguments, often within families. This certainly doesn’t intrude on the story line and could well be missed in the fast moving story line. 

Just the thing for some light holiday reading, as are Marina’s other quirkily titled books which are available through the Wairarapa Library Service: A short history of Tractors in Ukraine (which has nothing to do with tractors) The Lubetkin Legacy, Various pets alive and dead, We are all made of glue and Two caravans