Loading ...“Two caravans” by Marina Lewycka
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Finally! This book so needed to be written!
This is the story of a few foreign workers coming to the UK to work; some have plans to go back home in a few months, some hope to settle here. Imimigration is the subject of countless political debates, and immigrants are often de-personalised. This book redresses the balance towards the people, getting away from offical figures and other statistics often branded about on the news. All those “summer” jobs that sound great, like strawberry picking, aren’t in fact all so great. And some jobs are a lot worst… |
It is a story of hope and disillusion, of joy and sadness, of survival and fear. The narrative is direct and blunt; it doesn’t spare us the gory details but at the same time, it is also full of humour.
The various jobs they have to do and their working conditions will make you think twice next time you think that immigrants are “stealing” our jobs. It will also make you think twice next time you buy chicken and if you’re like me, after reading this, you will only buy free range chicken.
This is a gripping read and Marina’s attention to details is so great that it feels like a true story. Different characters narrate throughout the chapters and the first person narrative takes you to their world: it is a great human experience. When you close the book, the characters remain with you and you really do wonder what is going to happen to them next.
Absolutely recommended.
Links:
Interview with Marina Lewycka, Interviewing Authors by Kelly Hewitt
Interview with Marina Lewycka, The Guardian
Tags: green issues, london, strong women