Miriam Toews's third novel, which is also the first one I've read, achieved remarkable feats. It won the Governor General's Award for Fiction and was nominated for the Giller Prize. Additionally, it won the 2006 edition of Canada Reads, being the first book by a female novelist to do so.

The story, "A Complicated Kindness," is narrated by sixteen-year-old Nomi Nickel. She is a Canadian girl living in the small town of East Village in Manitoba, near the American border, during the 1970s and 1980s. Young Nomi dreams of living in the "real" East Village in New York City and hanging out with Lou Reed. However, she is stuck in a rather dull town in the middle of the endless Manitoba prairie. The main street is always deserted, and nothing exciting ever occurs. Nomi can only drive to the border to catch a glimpse of America but has to return to the depressing town where she and her friends can only gaze at the distant lights of other cities. Ironically, despite its unremarkable nature, East Village attracts people as it is a Mennonite community, drawing both American and Canadian tourists who view it as an authentic heritage site. In reality, it is more like a theme park for tourists, with the locals trying to maintain its image as a pioneer town.

Nomi lives alone with her father, a quiet and reserved man who is a dutiful member of the church. Her mother and older sister left the town one after another, unable to handle the inflexibility and narrow-mindedness of the small religious town. Although Nomi often goes with the flow, she also drives around with her friend, smokes pot, and reads non-religious literature. She doesn't want to be molded into conformity by the slow influence of religion but doesn't know where to find answers or guidance. But then, who does?

Miriam Toews writes with a compelling voice, and her portrayal of the confused and curious teenage Nomi feels genuine, perhaps due to her own experiences in the Mennonite town of Steinbach, on which East Village is based. However, the question remains: is it enough to carry an entire novel? There isn't a real story here, and no significant plot drive. There are numerous random details that help us immerse in Nomi's world, but there are many unanswered questions and a distinct lack of closure. Some things are implied, while others are simply left unresolved. There is no real resolution to any of the matters that interest us. I liked the characters and wanted to know more about them, but that didn't happen.

I will definitely read more of Miriam Toews's novels as she is a good writer. However, I expect them to be different and more focused experiences than "A Complicated Kindness."

“I hated it” was my loud outburst when a nice polite dinner conversation with friends turned to the discussion of this book.

My outburst truly surprised me. It wasn't just because it was loud and obnoxious, as I'm often guilty of being both. But rather, it was because I didn't know that I had such intense passion for this book! I had no idea I “hated it” until those words came tumbling out of my mouth so unexpectedly.

Until that time, I think I would have described my thoughts about the book as ambivalent. I found the whole thing to be rather tedious. Now, I'm not someone who requires a juicy plot to fall in love with a book. For example, The Catcher in the Rye is a favourite of mine (although this might be more due to nostalgia than anything else). However, this particular book had a lot going on, yet without a clear plot or point. I felt like the story was like a tumbleweed bouncing around in a ghost town: it was on a journey, but ultimately going nowhere.

“But didn’t you love Nomi?” my friend asked with a distressed tone. Quite simply, no I didn't. I found her to be absolutely dull. Her town was dull, her thoughts were dull, and her life was dull. And maybe this was the author’s whole point. That we were supposed to feel the excruciating internal pain that dullness brings. The only thing is, like most times things get monotonous to me, I acted out. Of course, I had to do this in the only way you can when dealing with a book, by giving it a “timeout” on the bookshelf.

Picking this book up again a month later, I struggled to make it to the end. Sadly, it did not get any better. So, although my feelings towards this book are complicated, I give it two stars. The first star because I have to, and the second because the book (surprisingly) made me passionate. Ultimately, I am thankful that I was not born into such a culture and that I could easily escape Nomi’s life by simply closing the book.

My experience with Toews' writing started with her latest work, "Women Talking."

Interestingly, I might not have delved into her previous books if I hadn't impulsively bought them. The reason for this hasty purchase of three books by the same author, whose writing I had never explored before, was a critique of her work that I came across on Literary Hub.

LitHub had always been a reliable source for me, so I was a bit let down after reading "Women Talking." However, I decided to persevere.

"An Uncomplicated Kindness" turned out to be a masterpiece. I initially wrote a detailed description of the book, but after realizing it resembled the back cover of a Judy Bloom novel and didn't do justice to a work that is "almost perfect," I deleted it.

The pacing, the beautifully crafted prose, and the often raw choice of words had me both laughing and crying. This book truly tugged at my heartstrings and left me feeling unsettled, as I reflected on the unanswered questions and the fantasy of a 16-year-old girl who dreamed of living in Greenwich Village and working for Lou Reed.

It was a reading experience that I will not soon forget.

This was a reread for me, but it had been a significant number of years since I'd last delved into the pages of A Complicated Kindness. When I once again sat down with this book, I recalled that I'd initially thought it was great, yet the specific details as to why had faded from my memory. However, it didn't take long for those memories to resurface. About three pages in, there was a line that nearly took my breath away. The main character measured the passage of time since she last saw her mother by the number of times she'd had her period. The idea behind this was incredibly powerful, and the way it was phrased was utterly heartbreaking. It painted a vivid picture of the young girl's longing and the sense of loss she felt.

Note: The rest of this review has been withheld due to the changes in Goodreads policy and enforcement. You can read why I came to this decision here.

In the meantime, you can read the entire review at Smorgasbook.

This line alone made me realize the depth and beauty of Toews' writing, and I was eager to continue reading and rediscover all the other wonderful aspects of this novel.

I mostly read this in the airport. So, perhaps I wasn't focused enough. It kind of lost me at times. However, when I was following well, I really, really enjoyed it. The story had its moments that made me a bit confused due to my lack of full concentration in the noisy airport environment. But there were also those wonderful parts where I was completely engaged.

The ending was weird but in a good way. It was unexpected and left me with a sense of intrigue. It made me think about the story in a different light and added an element of mystery. Even though it was strange, it also had a certain charm that made the overall reading experience quite memorable. I'm glad I picked up this book and gave it a chance, despite the distractions in the airport.

Nomi is indeed a great character. However, when compared to the other Miriam Toews books that I have read and adored, such as "All My Puny Sorrows" and "Fight Night", this particular work seems rather rambling and repetitive.

It is a relatively slim book, yet there are still portions that could be trimmed without sacrificing the essence of the story.

The narrative could have been more tightly woven and focused to enhance the overall reading experience.

Despite this, Nomi's character shines through, and there are still moments of beauty and poignancy in the book.

Perhaps with a bit more editing and refinement, this could have been an even stronger work.

Nonetheless, it is still a worthy addition to Miriam Toews' body of work.

My favorite kind of [thing] is [describe the thing]. It has always held a special place in my heart.

Whenever I encounter it, it brings me a sense of joy and excitement.

The unique characteristics of this kind make it stand out from the rest.

For example, [list some of its characteristics].

Not only does it look appealing, but it also functions extremely well.

I have spent countless hours enjoying it and have discovered many new aspects and details along the way.

It has become an important part of my life, and I can't imagine living without it.

Whether it's for relaxation, entertainment, or simply to add a touch of beauty to my surroundings, my favorite kind never fails to deliver.

I will always cherish it and continue to explore its wonderful world.

While researching books set in Manitoba, I came across this coming of age story that has received numerous awards and was selected as a Canada Reads book. All of these factors made me eager to read it. However, unfortunately, this book was not as great as I had expected.

For a large part of my life, I was a member of a church that felt similar to the one described in the book. A church where kindness is complex. It is a kind of kindness where people put on smiles and present their lives as perfect. But unfortunately, it is only on the surface, and people are unable to support each other in times of grief or pain. People do not allow themselves to share what is difficult, what makes them sad or angry. The relationships they form are superficial because they never let others into their hearts. And in the end, if one of them fails to maintain the perfect appearance, they are ostracized.

The book did a wonderful job of depicting life in a closed religious society, but I still craved more. I wanted to see how life in a small prairie town contributed to the isolation. I wanted flashbacks that would hint at the events that would cause this family to implode. I wanted to know why the church they belonged to had changed and become so much stricter. I believe there was so much more to explore in this story.

As I delved into Miriam Toews' A Complicated Kindness, Richard Dawkins' claim that religion is child abuse constantly echoed in my mind.

Looking at our neighbours, friends, ourselves, and our parents, it's tempting to brush off this idea. We witness churches engaged in good deeds, like providing aid to Haiti or other disaster-stricken areas, offering shelter to the homeless and abused, and guiding people with their beliefs and morality. So, it's easy to scoff at the notion that religion is inherently harmful. However, perhaps it's too simplistic to do so.

A Complicated Kindness reveals how a church and its beliefs can abuse a congregation, specifically how the ideas of Menno Simons and his modern Mennonite followers shatter the Nickel family.

Nomi, her sister Tash, her mother Trudie, and her father Ray lose everything due to their religion. They lose each other, themselves, and their sanity. Forced to navigate the world despite the irreversible damage caused by the belief system they were born into, none of them chose to be Mennonites. They were born, raised, and ultimately destroyed as Mennonites.

Their religion was abusive in the most extreme ways. As I grew to love Nomi more, felt her pain through her fragmented stream-of-consciousness, and my anger boiled over, I began to accept Dawkins' point in a way I never had before.

But Dawkins isn't the only one who views religion as abusive. Nicholas Humphrey, author of The Mind Made Flesh, argues that just as Amnesty International works to free political prisoners globally, we should strive to liberate the world's children from religions that, with parental consent, harm minds too young to comprehend what's happening to them.

Miriam Toews's beautifully tragic story brought me closer to agreeing with these men's assertions. I only wish I had derived more enjoyment from the story. While I understand I wasn't meant to finish it with a smile, I would have preferred to walk away with something other than a profound sense of depression.

I completely devoured this book.

It tells the story of a quirky Mennonite teenager living in a quiet Canadian town. As her family and furniture seem to disappear one by one, she inches her way closer and closer to a nervous breakdown.

What truly captured my heart about this book was the unexpected wit and sarcasm that peppered the narrative. It's not a happy-go-lucky story, nor is it necessarily filled with hope. However, it had an undeniable pull that sucked me in from the very first page.

I found myself unable to help but think of the main character as a real person. I hope with all my heart that she managed to pull through this difficult situation okay.

This book has left a lasting impression on me, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a unique and thought-provoking read.

3.5 stars.

Like the other books by Toews that I have had the pleasure of reading, this one presents a vivid portrait of a woman. She is a little desperate, lonely, and sad, yet she is also almost unbearably witty and insightful when it comes to her own situation. The story unfolds within a family that is coming apart at the seams. There are tensions and conflicts that are palpable, and the reader can't help but feel a sense of unease as the family's problems escalate.

What also stands out in this book is the hallmark presence of the Mennonite community. Toews does an excellent job of描绘 the unique culture and way of life of this community, adding an extra layer of depth and authenticity to the story.

While I didn't enjoy this book as much as the other one by Toews that I've read, I still definitely found it to be an enjoyable read. The characters are well-developed, the writing is engaging, and the story has enough twists and turns to keep the reader hooked from start to finish.

Let me say right from the start that this novel isn't for everyone.

But it's definitely for ME. The dark and harsh existence of a teenager growing up in a Mennonite community is exploited by Toews in the most exhilarating ways - with much humor, quirkiness, and surprises.

The family cast of characters is outrageous and yet, with the style and wit of this author, utterly believable. One would never know that a religious community of Mennonites, the "severity" of which is only matched by the Amish or some middle eastern fundamentalism, might also harbor rebels, hippies, and hilarity.

I laughed out loud while my heart ached for the bleak lives and sad fates of so many of these characters. Miriam Toews is brilliant with language, tone, subtlety and the keen wisdom to let her protagonist live a life without tying up every loose end, allowing the reader's imagination to soar.

I loved it. This novel offers a unique perspective on a often misunderstood community. It shows that even in the most restrictive of environments, there is room for individuality and unexpected joy. The characters are complex and well-developed, and the story is engaging from start to finish. Toews has a talent for bringing to life the struggles and triumphs of her characters in a way that is both relatable and deeply moving. I would highly recommend this novel to anyone looking for a thought-provoking and entertaining read.