I read this novel for book club.

A Complicated Kindness and a Complicated Book!

The synopsis really appealed to me. It promised an engaging story that would draw me in. However, as I delved into the novel, I found that the only thing I truly enjoyed about it was that the author helped me to reminisce about my years in the 70's. I could relate to the main character's love for Jesus Christ Superstar and Love's Baby Soft, which brought back fond memories for me.

Unfortunately, the story itself read like someone's disjointed diary. There were too many unanswered questions and not enough closure. I was left bewildered at the end, wondering what the author was trying to convey. The lack of a clear narrative arc made it difficult for me to fully invest in the story and the characters.

Overall, while I appreciate the author's attempt to create a unique and thought-provoking novel, A Complicated Kindness fell short for me. It had its moments of nostalgia and relatability, but the disjointed nature of the story and the lack of closure left me feeling unsatisfied.

This was truly beautiful and at the same time, heartbreaking. The decision to situate a coming of age story within a fundamentalist Christian community adds an incredible amount of really interesting depth to the common themes of the genre. Themes such as family, which is often central in a coming of age narrative, take on a new dimension as the characters navigate the expectations and traditions of their religious community. Faith is another crucial aspect that is explored in great detail. The characters' relationship with their faith evolves and is challenged as they grow and face new experiences. Education also plays a significant role, as the characters must balance their religious teachings with the knowledge and ideas they encounter in the outside world. Finally, the theme of disillusionment is powerfully portrayed, as the characters realize that the world they thought they knew may not be as perfect as they once believed. Overall, I loved this one and it provided a unique and thought-provoking perspective on the coming of age genre.

4.5!!

The main character in this story is developed to such a remarkable extent that I find myself longing to read not just one or two more books about her, but a whopping ten!

She is an absolute delight, with a sense of humor that can make you burst out laughing one moment and then tug at your heartstrings the next.

The way the author has crafted her personality is truly masterful, creating a character that feels so real and relatable.

Every aspect of her life and experiences is explored in such depth that you can't help but become emotionally invested in her journey.

It's rare to come across a character who can have such a profound impact on the reader, and I can't wait to see what other adventures and challenges she will face in future installments.

Overall, this is a must-read for anyone who loves a well-written story with a captivating main character.

I truly preferred the initial story, the one that delved into sacrifice and pain.

It was because this story presented wonderful opportunities. The opportunities of being reunited with our family and experiencing happiness once again, perhaps somewhere in the real world.

Moreover, it was centered around the concept of everlasting love, which is precisely what I have a deep inclination to believe in.

The stories that I have been telling myself have now bled into a dream, and finally, this dream is gradually coming true.

From my time living in this town, I have learned that stories hold great significance. And if we can wholeheartedly believe in them, I mean truly and deeply believe, then we stand a chance at redemption.

REVIEW: I have a hunch that Toews would have an appreciation for my taco socks.

This novel, being the fourth one of hers that I have read in almost as many weeks, was unfortunately my least favorite.

However, we can't expect every book to be a 5-star masterpiece, can we?

"A COMPLICATED KINDNESS" receives a rating of 3/5, mainly carried by Toews' brilliantly sharp and acerbic tone.

I find myself in a state of conflict when it comes to rating this book.

Perhaps I'm being somewhat influenced by the author's other book, Women Talking, which I recently read and truly enjoyed.

On one hand, I have a great appreciation for the insights that the author offers regarding this community, having lived it herself.

Nomi's humorous observations of the culture add an interesting dimension.

However, I must admit that it didn't quite work for me as an audiobook. The narrator's tone was a bit too monotonous, which made it a bit of a struggle to stay engaged.

Moreover, there were a significant number of unanswered questions at the end, leaving me feeling a bit dissatisfied.

Maybe I'll give this one another chance by reading it in physical copy.

I'm hoping that the experience will be different and that I'll be able to fully appreciate the story and the author's writing.

Only time will tell if this second attempt will change my perspective on this book.

I don't know, is this a three?

It was indeed a fun read. I truly loved the narrator. In fact, I wish she could have come over to hang out with me.

However, there was a little too much drama in the plot. Let's face it. You already have a Mennonite girl whose mother and sister have left the community. The concept of shunning is quite intense. There are days when I can even relate to the idea of wanting to shun people.

And this girl is also having a spiritual/drug-induced personal crisis. But really, how much more drama do you need? Affairs, best friends dying, sad old people, and so on - no. You simply do not need these additional elements.

To be honest, I'm glad I'm not Mennonite. That's one of the things I learned from reading this book. It made me appreciate my own life and the lack of such extreme drama.

Overall, it was an interesting read, but the excessive drama did take away a bit from the enjoyment.

My second encounter with a Toews book has been an enlightening experience. After delving into its pages and reading an interview she gave, it becomes clear that she employs a consistent formula across her novels.

All her works center around characters who have been deeply affected by living within a strict Mennonite community. These novels are rife with tragedy and sadness, yet they also possess a mordant sense of humour. They are filled with ordinary humans who are竭尽全力 to maintain hope and discover moments of joy in the midst of difficult circumstances.

Oh, and it's worth noting that her novels don't typically boast a complex or convoluted plot. However, the narrative voice is so captivating that, at least for me, it draws you in and makes you feel as if you are right there in the story, experiencing everything alongside the characters.

Given my enjoyment of this second book, I will most likely embark on a journey to read all of her works. I'm eager to see how she continues to explore the themes and characters that she has introduced in her previous novels, and to discover the unique perspectives and insights that she has to offer.

I'm confident that each new book will be a rich and rewarding experience, filled with the same blend of tragedy, humour, and hope that has made her writing so compelling thus far.

Small towns often have their drawbacks, and those in rural Manitoba during winter are no exception. In fact, they can be downright miserable. But picture a small town in rural Manitoba in winter that is not only small but also inhabited by strict Mennonites who enforce acceptable behavior and shun those who deviate. Some people manage to leave, like Nomi Nickel's sister Tash and mother. The story focuses on the aftermath of their abandonment, presented in a darkly comic coming-of-age tale. The setting and themes draw from Toews's own adolescence in a rural Canadian Mennonite town.

Nomi and her depressed father Ray struggle to get by, with lackluster dinners and half-hearted attempts at cleaning. Nomi seems resigned to working at the chicken processing plant after graduation, and by the end of the book, the reader feels the same sense of inevitability.

However, Nomi has her own charm and determination. She has a boyfriend who shares intimate moments with her under the stars and a best friend who is slowly succumbing to illness. Through her interactions with them and her father, her compassion and hope shine through, vividly brought to life by Toews's unflinching prose.

Nomi's self-deprecating narration adds a touch of warmth to this otherwise bleak story of misfits and moralists. A Complicated Kindness is a complex book, but the bittersweet anxiety it induces is well worth it for the glimmer of hope that emerges in the end.

I read this novel in 2006, shortly after it was published. It was the first book I read by the author Miriam Toews. Since then, I've read and written reviews of eight other novels by her.

A Complicated Kindness was written before my Goodreads.com days, so I had no review of it. Recently, when I saw the Kindle edition of this book available at a low price, I decided to read it again to refresh my memory and write this review.

This book is narrated from the perspective of a sixteen-year-old girl living in an ultra-conservative Mennonite community in Canada. The novel uses the fictional name of East Village for the story's location, but those familiar with the author's background will know she's writing about Steinbach, Manitoba. She has memories of living with her parents and older sister, but now she lives only with her father after her sister left about three years ago and her mother about a year ago.

The first-person narrative alternates between her present situation and memories from the past, using sardonic humor to describe the oppressive expectations of living in a close-knit religious community. It's not immediately clear why her sister and mother left town, but as the story progresses, the reader can conclude that they couldn't tolerate the religious and social strictures of the community.

Our teenage protagonist is seen as something of an orphan since her mother has left. Everyone feels sorry for her, but there's also an element of judgment against a family that can't conform, which is the reason for the title of the book. As described in the narrative, our protagonist has no idea where her mother is living - she seems to have just disappeared. She even wonders if she's alive. Her father seems emotionally preoccupied with his own thoughts and inexplicably gives away furniture from their house - is he preparing to leave?

Sure enough, at the end of the book, our teenage narrator is alone in the house with a note from her father explaining how she can sell the house. This book is told in the voice of a rebellious, free-spirited teenager. The story reminds me of The Catcher in the Rye. One would expect her to be frightened and lonely due to her circumstances, but she seems to be looking forward to the anticipated freedom - the gift of youth.

The four stars are only because it took me a while to get used to the fragmented narration of Towes. However, once I got the rhythm, I really loved the story of Nomi and her family, which is missing the most beautiful half.

Born and raised among the Mennonites, she struggles like an animal in a trap, dreams of escaping but has to stay. Only the complicated act of love in the title will give her the possibility of liberation.

The story unfolds in a unique way, with Towes' writing style adding an air of mystery and intrigue. Nomi's character is well-developed, and we can feel her pain, her longing, and her determination.

The relationship between Nomi and her family is also a central theme of the story. Despite the difficulties and challenges they face, there is still a strong bond of love that holds them together.

Overall, this is a captivating and thought-provoking story that will stay with you long after you've finished reading.

Wow.

What a truly unique and compelling narrator Toews has crafted in Nomi Nickel. From the very beginning until the end, she is utterly captivating.

This book is a fascinating blend of hilarity and heartbreak. It offers a profound insight into a modern Mennonite community in the Canadian Prairies. Although the narrator is undeniably critical of her town and community, Toews manages to present a balanced perspective. The ultimate uncertainty regarding the choices Nomi will make reinforces the fact that life, as the title implies, is indeed complicated - kindness and cruelty often go hand in hand.

The first-person narration, with Nomi's entirely authentic 'teenage angst', is truly remarkable. However, as the story progresses, it does become a bit overwhelming for me. Nevertheless, it was still a great read, just not quite a 5-star one.

WARNING MAJOR SPOILER AHEAD!!! CONSIDER YOURSELVES WARNED!!

I'm not really sure why I'm bothering to give a spoiler warning as there's not much that actually occurs in this book.

The story centers around a teenage girl named Nomi who resides in an extremely religious Mormon town in Canada. The entire plot is essentially about how miserable her life is. You thought Bella from Twilight was irritating? Well, think again!

(P.S I didn't even notice she was Canadian as all she ever talked about was America. I only realized it when she mentioned the border, and I was like WHAT??? The author fails to make proper use of the setting; it's such an insignificant part of the story.)

Let's also discuss the numerous poor decisions this character makes, or rather, doesn't make, since she does absolutely nothing throughout the entire novel!

And whenever she did anything, she thought she was "rebelling" against the system. Yeah, you're so tough, why not just go get yourself a Che Guevara shirt while you're at it.

And what about that ending? I thought that after her father abandoned the town and left her with the family car (excellent parenting there), she would use it to drive out of that dump of a town. But no, the book ends with her thinking about how great it would be to leave the town, considering it, before she drives back to her house! It's a book that goes nowhere, there's no conclusion to anything. Supposedly, it's a deep reflection of how Nomi doesn't believe in endings, so no resolution, nothing!

If you're looking for a good story that details the upbringing of a teenage girl within the confines of a theocratic society, I highly recommend you read Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi. It's an infinitely better story in terms of narrative, characterization, and the interpersonal dynamics presented. Basically, the complete opposite of this one.

Anyway, I despised this book. I read it for my English class, and I would never pick it up again, nor would I recommend it to anyone.