Marina Lewycka

The author of A Short History of Tractors In Ukrainian and We Are All Made of Glue...

Marina Lewycka is of Ukrainian origin and was born in a refugee camp in Kiel, Germany, during World War II. She studied at Keele University, and has written a number of books of practical advice for carers of the elderly, published by Age Concern. She lectures in media studies at Sheffield Hallam University.

Her first novel A Short History of Tractors In Ukrainian tells of the exploits of two feuding sisters trying to save their elderly father from a Ukrainian divorcee, Valentina. It won the Saga Award for Wit, the Bollinger Everyman Wodehouse Prize, and was shortlisted for the Orange Prize for Fiction. It has been translated into 32 languages and sold over a millions copies so far.

Her second novel Two Caravans was released in 2007, and as well as the two caravans of the title, features a little group of strawbery picking immigrants in Kent, exploitative employers, British regulations, gang master with guns, several love stories, all combining to make a "heartfelt and funny novel" (Daily Mail). It was shortlisted for the Orwell Prize for Political Writing

• Read more - Quotes on Two Caravans

We Are All Made of Glue was published in July 2009. From bonding to bondage, from B & Q to Belarus, along with seven smelly cats, three useless handymen, two slimy estate agents, social workers, and a bonker lady, this is the story of a very unlikely friendship.

Fact file

Name: Marina Lewycka

Date of birth: 1946

Place of birth: Kiel, Germany

Current Home: Sheffield, England

Education: Keele University

Similar Authors: Mavis Cheek, Joseph Connolly, Nigel Williams