Actually, almost nothing happens, and I'm not a fan of books without a plot. Nevertheless, I was quite satisfied. This is partly because the non-happening is told competently, but above all due to the background: The entire teenage angst takes place in a Canadian Mennonite village. I knew absolutely nothing about this before, and that made everything interesting.

The story unfolds in a seemingly ordinary setting, yet it manages to capture the essence of teenage emotions and experiences. The author's ability to describe the subtleties of life in this particular community adds depth and authenticity to the narrative.

Despite the lack of a traditional plot with thrilling events and action, the book engages the reader through its exploration of the characters' inner worlds and their struggles with growing up. It shows that sometimes, the most profound stories can be found in the simplest of lives and the smallest of details.

Overall, this book has taught me that a good story doesn't always have to be filled with excitement and adventure. It can be a quiet and introspective exploration of the human condition that leaves a lasting impression.

It is truly hilarious to peruse the Goodreads reviews for Toews, considering that Toews is such an anti-Goodreads author. "It was really sad and confusing and I felt like my questions didn't get answered?" Well, that's life. That's precisely the point.

Among Toews' books, this one appears to be the one that delves deepest into the issues within her Mennonite heritage. Religion looms large over the narrative, a force that both defines and divides. However, while religious dogma ostracizes and judges, Nomi still clings to the concepts of faith, hope, and love to赋予意义 to her chaotic existence. The book's plot is as aimless as Nomi herself. Her world is falling apart, and she is powerless to do anything but let it continue. And the ending is as unresolved as Nomi's life. It's a snapshot of a life, a closing of a chapter. I'll concede that Toews' later work does seem more "conclusive" than this one, but I appreciate the open ending and what it implies about the cyclical nature of Manitoban life. But since my "hometown" also received a brief mention, perhaps I'm just partial.

A Complicated Kindness by Miriam Toews is a profound and thought-provoking story that delves into the life of a girl navigating through the complex web of Mennonite culture and her arduous struggle to break free.

Nomi, a teenage girl, resides with her deeply religious father in a town renowned for its simplicity and isolation from the outside world. When her mother and sister flee the Mennonite community in pursuit of a more liberated and less religious existence, Nomi is left grappling with the profound question of the true meaning of life. She constantly endeavors to find an escape from her oppressive life by defying the strictures of the Mennonite town, engaging in rebellious acts with her boyfriend and experimenting with drugs. As the real motives behind her mother and sister's disappearance gradually unfold, Nomi's world shatters before her eyes, and she descends into a dark abyss. Her only salvation lies in fleeing the only town she has ever known.

Miriam Toews's writing style is undoubtedly the forte of this book. Initially, it took me some time to acclimate to it, but by the conclusion of the novel, I found myself thoroughly enjoying it. Her use of run-on sentences and the absence of quotation marks create an immersive experience, making the reader feel as if they are directly inside Nomi's mind, thinking and feeling along with her. By the end, one truly empathizes with Nomi, sharing her emotions, thoughts, and pain. Instead of questioning her radical choices, the reader begins to loathe the world she inhabits, just as she does. Had it not been for this unique writing style, I doubt I would have been able to persevere through the book.

However, in terms of the plot, this book leaves much to be desired. It meanders and jumps around erratically, leaving the reader perpetually confused and wondering if they have overlooked something. I have read this book twice, hoping to clarify the ambiguities, but I remain as perplexed as I was the first time. A plethora of different characters and names are introduced with such frequency that it becomes extremely challenging to remember anything of significance about any of them. Additionally, the numerous unanswered questions leave the reader feeling more frustrated than satisfied.

Overall, this book is worthy of a read for its distinctive writing style and the opportunity to explore something new. Nevertheless, I would not recommend reading it before bedtime, as it is likely to lull you to sleep before you even complete a relatively short [6 - 10 page] chapter.

A moving tale indeed! I became extremely attached to Nomi and Ray. Their story had a certain charm that pulled me in. However, the style of writing presented a challenge. It was very choppy, with the themes jumping abruptly from one paragraph to the next. This made it difficult for me to follow the narrative at times. I had to constantly piece together the different threads of the story and try to make sense of how they all fit together. Despite this, I still found myself engaged with the characters and their journey. I wanted to know what would happen to Nomi and Ray, and how their relationship would evolve. The story had its moments of beauty and heartbreak, and I was eager to see how it would all end.

On re-reading this book, I found myself having an even deeper appreciation for it. It's truly difficult to single out a favorite among her works - but at least now I have a clear understanding of the three that I've read so far. I'm still slightly more impressed with the two that came after, The Flying Troutmans and Irma Voth. But the reason for this is rather complex. It's now just the tiniest difference in the five-star rating that sets them apart.

There's no question that Nomi's 'voice' is an outstanding achievement. When you distill it, each and every drop is pure essence du Toews.

I think what I struggle with in this book is the lack of a traditional story. The ennui, which is, of course, the whole point, can be a bit wearing. I, like anyone, love teen angst and pain when it's told well, and this is told in a way that's both wrenching and hard to critique. So, even as I type that the lack of story is what makes this one different from the others, I don't really believe it.

But it was almost too much, you know? Paragraph after paragraph of the most amazing, sardonic, almost zeugmatic insights from this grade 12 Mennonite girl, who is struggling with a fundamentalist faith that has been forced upon her and an abandonment of huge proportions. She's collapsing under the weight of responsibility and grief, acting out, with no end in sight.

Gahhhh. This writing is physically painful - it's so beautiful, so painful, and so funny all at the same time. It hits you like a wall, treating the most ordinary and profound thoughts with equal importance. This is the brilliance of the writing: it perfectly reflects Nomi's psychological state. Everything seems equally important, so in reality, nothing is. There's a complete overload of random, irrelevant, and yet vital details - so nothing makes sense and nothing has meaning. She's standing in the middle of the biggest questions about family bonds, love, and faith - all while coming of age.

But here's what I can say about Toews' characters (god, I hope they're not too autobiographical, but I'm afraid they might be): there's a life force within them. A will not just to survive, but a cathartic, definitive, life-affirming strength that预示着 they will emerge from pain as better, whole, and happy people.

Yes. This is what I believe. For each and every one of them.

It's just brilliant.

This is the second book that I have had the pleasure of reading by Miriam Toews.

She truly possesses an amazing ability. She crafts these collections of thoughts from the main character in such a way that, when taken in isolation, they are hilarious, satirical, and sure to make you smile.

However, when these thoughts are assembled together, they form a life that is underpinned with trauma. It is remarkable how she can contrast the bleakness and hope within the same sentence.

While reading her work, you can find yourself laughing out loud one moment and then being profoundly sad the next.

Her writing has this unique power to evoke a wide range of emotions simultaneously, making the reading experience truly captivating and unforgettable.

It is no wonder that Miriam Toews is such a highly regarded and talented author.

I simply just enjoyed this read. It was truly a captivating experience. The way it was written was so vivid and engaging that it made me feel as if I had stepped out of my own life and into Nomi's world. I could sense every emotion she was feeling. I found myself laughing out loud at some points, and then having my heart broken at others.

I saw clearly how this world has its flaws. It made me realize that faith is not just about living in a particular town and attending church on Sundays. It's about something much deeper and more meaningful. It showed me how we can all strive to be better people, to be more kind, more understanding, and more compassionate.

Most importantly, it taught me how to embrace love as more than just a verb. Love is an action, but it's also a feeling, a connection, and a way of life. I just have so many thoughts and emotions swirling around in my head after reading this. It has truly touched my heart and made me look at the world in a different way.

This was, oh, definitely something.

It was not my favourite read in any way, obviously. However, it was interesting, and at the same time, it was depressing, and there was a lot to take in.

I definitely understood the protagonist and all her feelings. Maybe this is the reason why I was so fond of her and well... so sad because I wanted so much more for her.

The story seemed to unfold in a way that made me empathize with the character's struggles and emotions. It was as if I could feel her pain and her longing for something better.

Although it wasn't my top pick, it still managed to capture my attention and make me think about the various aspects of the protagonist's life.

Overall, it was a read that left a bittersweet taste in my mouth, and I'm sure it will stay with me for a while.

The first book I've read that has anything to do with Mennonite culture, and it's also a big Canadian award winner. However, this was a really challenging read for me.

I didn't enjoy the majority of it. The lack of grammatical structure and quotation marks was quite off-putting. Sometimes, it felt like a mental workout just to decipher the dialogue and hold my attention to it. I really didn't enjoy the language and content. But, I have to admit that I could see there was brilliance in the writing.

The back cover claims it's "a profoundly funny book." Well, I did appreciate bits of wit and sarcasm here and there, but I didn't think it was actually funny. While reading, it reminded me of other coming-of-age stories of struggling individuals, like The Bell Jar and The Heart is a Lonely Hunter. I felt a similar dark and disturbed tone. Throughout the reading, I struggled with the realization that the plot didn't seem to be going anywhere.

And then, suddenly, The End happened. Now, I really don't know what to think. The end made everything so much more complex, and in a strange way, it was almost lovely.

I have absolutely no idea how to rate this book. I didn't enjoy it, but at the same time, I might hold it in some sort of absurd regard.

Updated: I'm caught between 1 and 2 stars. I didn't like it, but I can still recognize that there's something good in the writing.

It’s complicated and it’s kind.

Life is often a complex web of emotions, experiences, and relationships. There are times when we face difficult situations that seem almost insurmountable. However, within this complexity lies a hidden kindness.

People often show their true nature in the face of adversity, and it is heartwarming to see acts of kindness and compassion.

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Let's explore the complexity of life together and discover the kindness that lies within.

Nomi Nickel is the narrator of this novel, which is set in a rural Mennonite town in Manitoba, Canada.

She lives with her religious father, Ray, ever since her older sister left the repressive town, and her mother followed a few months later.

Nomi, a rebellious sixteen-year-old, tells her story through flashbacks, filled with cynical humor.

She dreams of escaping to New York City but is reluctant to leave her father alone.

She also has the fear that if she completely abandons the Mennonite teachings, she might burn in hell someday.

Nomi contemplates what awaits her if she remains in her hometown - fifty years of working at a chicken processing plant, followed by a stay at the Rest Haven nursing home.

The fictional book is partly inspired by Miriam Toews' hometown, a Mennonite community in Manitoba.

The author writes in a convincing 1970s teenage voice in this coming-of-age story that can tug at the heartstrings one moment and have the reader laughing a few pages later.

If you can die without ever understanding how it happened, then you can also live without a complex understanding of how.

This statement holds a certain truth. In life, we often strive for a deep and comprehensive understanding of everything. However, sometimes, simplicity can be the key to a fulfilling life.

The fun narrator, who loved her reminiscing rambles, perhaps understood this concept well. Through her stories and memories, she might have shown that life doesn't always have to be complicated.

We can enjoy the present moment, embrace the unknown, and find joy in the simple things. Instead of constantly seeking answers and explanations, we can learn to trust the journey and let life unfold naturally.

By living without a complex understanding, we can free ourselves from the burden of overthinking and allow ourselves to experience life more fully. So, let's take a page from the fun narrator's book and embrace the beauty of simplicity in our own lives.