A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian

When 84-year-old émigré engineer Nikolai unexpectedly falls for Valentina, a voluptuous and significantly younger Ukrainian divorcee, his daughters Vera and Nadezhda are thrown into disarray. Valentina, described as a 'fluffy pink grenade,' disrupts their lives with her overt pursuit of Western wealth and her penchant for green satin underwear and boil-in-the-bag cuisine. The sisters, who have a lifetime of feuding behind them, must now set aside their differences to protect their father from what they perceive as a gold-digger. As they embark on a spirited campaign to oust Valentina, their efforts inadvertently unearth long-buried family secrets and painful memories of their European roots, forcing them to confront fifty years of dark history and the complex legacy of their heritage. This darkly comedic novel expertly blends family drama, cultural clash, and historical reflection as it explores love, loyalty, and the surprising truths revealed when a family's placid surface is violently disturbed.