Well written and the subject matter that tipped me into giving 4 stars. I guess I'm the right age group to enjoy it and the author has thrown enough plot into it to make 3 or 4 books - which I love. Needed to pay attention to follow it all.... Doncaster, communes, miners, economics, short selling, allotments, schools and reunions to name a few. ( )

I really enjoyed this book, I hope there is a sequel.
The main characters are all likeable. the story line is good.
There are some really funny moments too ( )

Well written and the subject matter that tipped me into giving 4 stars. I guess I'm the right age group to enjoy it and the author has thrown enough plot into it to make 3 or 4 books - which I love. Needed to pay attention to follow it all.... Doncaster, communes, miners, economics, short selling, allotments, schools and reunions to name a few. ( )

This novel is full of unhappy characters, many of which are unlikeable. The telling of the story flits between different members of a family, mum and brother and sister and moves between the present and back to the past when the family lived in a commune. I didn't find the novel laugh out loud funny and it was the saddness that dominated it for me. Marina Lewycka usually has a bitter-sweet aspect to her novels and usually I find that the humour wins out but not this time. ( )

Filled with Marina Lewycka's trademark quirky characters and unusual situations, Various Pets Alive and Dead is a really good read. It started off a little slow I thought, but once I had really got into the story I loved it.

Doro and Marcus lived in a commune in Doncaster in the 70s and 80s and that's where their children, Serge and Clara, were brought up, along with their adopted sister, Oolie-Anna. Serge and Clara have rebelled against the free living of their childhood and work in banking/trading (Serge) and as a teacher (Clara). The story is set against the backdrop of the finance crisis in 2008.

I loved the characterisations and how the story played out. There's not a plot as such as it's more a slice of life story, but oh what lives these characters live! Such a lot of fun. ( )