Skip to content
Call Us Today! 212-533-4646 | MON-FRI 12PM - 4PM (EST)
DONATE
SUBSCRIBE
Search for:
About Us
UNWLA 100
Publications
FAQ
Annual Report 2023
Annual Report 2022
Annual Report 2021
Initiatives
Advocate
Educate
Cultivate
Care
News
Newsletters
Sign Up For Our Newsletter
Join UNWLA
Become a Member
Volunteer With Us
Donate to UNWLA
Members Portal
Calendar
Shop to Support Ukraine
Search for:
Print
Print Page
Download
Download Page
Download Right Page
Open
1
2-3
4-5
6-7
8-9
10-11
12-13
14-15
16-17
18-19
20-21
22-23
24-25
26-27
28-29
30-31
32-33
34-35
36-37
38-39
40
“НАШЕ ЖИТТЯ”, ТРАВЕНЬ 2011 29 A GOOD DISCUSSION ON A GOOD READ Discussion leader M artha Iwanczyszyn, Adult Reference Librarian a t the Mt. Kisco Public Library. Photo by Ron Liteplo. The literary evening held by UNWLA Branch 30 of Yonkers, Ne w York, on February 16, 2011, focused on A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian by Marina Lewycka (294 pp. Penguin Press , 2005 ). One of our members, Nadia Liteplo, graciously opened her home for the event and provided a delicious light buffet with wine . A major criterion for choosing a book for discussion was that it be easily accessible in bookstores and public libraries. Another criterion was access to press reviews to facilitate the work of the discussion leader. The last criterion was that the book b e an “easy read.” The most important in - gredient, however, (other than the obvious one of having the participants reading the book) is the choice of a discussion leader. All criteria were met. The book was favorably review e d in both the British and America n press, including The New York Times ; it was easy to locate; it was readable; and we were fortunate that we were able to tap the talent of Martha Iwan - czyszyn, who is the Adult Reference Librarian at the Mt. Kisco Public Library, and who regularly leads b ook discussions as part of her professional duties. The fact that she is also a Ukrainian American of our generation who understood the context of the book was an added bonus. M s. I wanczyszyn expertly led the dis cus - sion on a professional level. The dis cussion w a s held mostly in English , and s he also provided the attendees with handouts incorporating several book reviews, the author’s biography, and a published interview with the author discussing the book. The discussion participants were split in th eir opinions; some readers enjoyed the book and others did not. Some disliked the book for what they felt were crude stereotypes and for showing Ukrainians in an unflattering light. Others disagreed, arguing that stereotypes can be both good and bad. Opin ions about the central theme of the book were also divided. For some, it was the relation ship between the two sisters, Vera and Nadezhda, which changes from estrangement to understanding and appreciation over the course of the narrative. For others, it wa s the story of Valentina, a gold - digger from the new Ukraine , out to snare a better life for herself and her son in the form of the widowed Nikolai, whom she plots to marry. Most participants found the book funny, but funny through tears and tragedy . Some participants stated that their view of the book changed after their second reading, leading to a more favorable opinion. The book does indeed become more interesting and complex during a second reading , as one begins to appreciate how the author places sel ections from both the tractor history and Ukrainian history into the narrative. At the end of the evening, Branch 30 pre - sented Martha Iwanczyszyn with a copy of A Candle in Remembrance — a contribution to the Mt. Kisco Library collection. Because our first book discussion meeting was such a success, we are currently planning similar events in the future. If anyone has an y ideas on interesting books or comments about the book discussion described here , please contact me at iwacyk@verizon.net . Your input will be appre - ciated. I strongly encourage other UNWLA branches to hold their own readings and discussions of this book and others. The experience will be fascinating. Marta Burachok Wacyk
Page load link
Go to Top
1 
2-3 
4-5 
6-7 
8-9 
10-11 
12-13 
14-15 
16-17 
18-19 
20-21 
22-23 
24-25 
26-27 
28-29 
30-31 
32-33 
34-35 
36-37 
38-39 
40 
