A hilarious and moving memoir in the spirit of Anne Lamott and Nora Ephron about a woman who returns home to her close-knit Mennonite family after a personal crisis Not long after Rhoda Janzen turned forty, her world turned upside down. It was bad enough that her brilliant husband of fifteen years left her for Bob, a guy he met on Gay.com, but that same week a car accident left her with serious injuries. What was a gal to do? Rhoda packed her bags and went home. This wasn't just any home, though. This was a Mennonite home. While Rhoda had long ventured out on her own spiritual path, the conservative community welcomed her back with open arms and offbeat advice. (Rhoda's good-natured mother suggested she date her first cousin he owned a tractor, see.) It is in this safe place that Rhoda can come to terms with her failed marriage; her desire, as a young woman, to leave her sheltered world behind; and the choices that both freed and entrapped her. Written with wry humor and huge personality and tackling faith, love, family, and aging Mennonite in a Little Black Dress is an immensely moving memoir of healing, certain to touch anyone who has ever had to look homeward in order to move ahead.This is a book that I probably would have totally looked over on the store shelf and not even been interested, but when my friend Chrystal recommended it at book club, I had to give it a try.
Rhoda's writing style and humor make this story wonderful. Her story is very relate-able and I felt like I was sitting and talking with a friend. There was a portion of the book where I almost stopped reading it...I guess I had had enough Mennonite anecdotes...but not a few pages later I was hooked back in and I finished the book very happy I didn't stop half way through.
A story of family and friendship, love and life and a must read! (Thanks for recommending this book Chrystal.)
1 comment:
Good review but I think I will pass!!
ps...Ashton is very thoughtful! ;)
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