Parts of this book were read on CBC Radio, and it was much-discussed.
I won a copy from my local library last winter, after dropping in a ballot for the "Summer Reading" contest. (You just jot down something about the book you are currently reading.....) I was so surprised when they called, as I had completely forgotten about the contest! A nice surprise.
A lot of people tell me they HATE this book, but so far, I am enjoying it.
The main character, Nomi Nickel "scrapes away the appearances in her small town and offers what she finds in a voice that is wry, vulnerable, sacrilegious and, best of all, devastatingly funny. " David Bergen

'Sorry, just changed my mind.....since I won this hardcover book, and enjoyed it so much....I am going to change its status to:
PC. BUT, if someone would like to borrow it, I'd be very happy to pass it along!

More on this book! We are very pleased to have Miriam Toews in Harrowsmith's 2010 "Truly Canadian Almanac" (out Sept 09). She'll be in our "Small Ponds" feature where well-known Canadians talk about their small town/rural roots. I got in touch with Miriam's very helpful and friendly agent Carolyn and Ms. Toews agreed to participate - although very busy writing a screenplay (Way to go Miriam!)
Since my last JE, Miriam's "The Flying Troutmans" has come out, which Lyzzybee reviewed recently:

Here’s part of her review:

" Toews' first novel was set in a strict religious community but had something of the same wry narrative voice. Here she has found her wings and really does let the Troutmans fly, weaving their back stories, current struggles and futures seamlessly in a narrative that compels you to read on and on as they drive on and on. The deadpan narration, full of little details and great humour, is reminiscent of Douglas Coupland, and I would recommend this to Coupland fans. Central characters to care about, unconventional aunts and little girls full of mad knowledge, and their centre, the out-of-focus, hospitalised Min - a noteworthy and memorable book that I loved."

More of the thread:

Hi Carolyn:
Just FYI, a good friend of mine (librarian in Birmingham, UK) just did a review of Miriam T’s new book. Her name is Liz Broomfield. She is a member of Bookcrossing, and a number of other book forums. Her Bookcrossing name is Lyzzybee.

Carolyn's response: (Feb 5th)

" This is great, Madeleine. Today is pub day for The Flying Troutmans in the UK, and to top it off, Nick Hornby has selected A Complicated Kindness as one of his 30 favourite books of all time, for Waterstone's Discover promotion!"

PS: If you should borrow this book from me - you'll see a handmade A-Z index glued on the inside back cover. I just couldn't resist, being a total rock and roll g-g-g-g-geek, because Ms. Toews has a music reference about every third page.

Taking to TO today, in case my book loving pal Caitlin-Diane hasn't read it, and would like to!
It's a book people either seem to love or hate.