A Complicated Kindness

by Miriam Toews | Literature & Fiction |
ISBN: 9780676978568 Global Overview for this book
Registered by wingFran-kinsteinwing of Regina, Saskatchewan Canada on 9/16/2009
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7 journalers for this copy...
Journal Entry 1 by wingFran-kinsteinwing from Regina, Saskatchewan Canada on Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Hmm. A little depressing. I liked the main character. I was a little confused. I was also expecting there to be a few pros of Mennoniteness, not just all the things this girl's family was put through. There was so much talk about how wonderful the outside must be. But the 'outside' can be pretty lonely too. Doesn't true happiness come from within...?

I've only ever met Mennonites that I thought were awesome awesome people, who were principled, but also thoughtful, kind, and understanding. I suppose they weren't hard core fundamentalists, and might have been more liberal than some others in their church, but I was wondering if I should be offended on their behalf. Was no one else wondering this?

The ending shot out like an explosion out of nowhere. I thought there should have been more forshadowing. I mean, that was a really cool ending, and explains a LOT more about the characters. I could have spent a few chapters reading about the intricacies of the things that did actually happen that we didn't know about until the end... there could have been a lot more story there. Certainly would have liked more character development on Mr. Dude (don't want to give that away) before the bomb dropped. Or did I just fall asleep for the ride and not pick up on the clues?

Perhaps one that should be read a second time. But for now I'm offering it up as a Book Ray:

faddyarbuckle
MaryZee
Allthesepieces
valpete
penelopewanders
Urfin
arturogrande




Journal Entry 2 by faddyarbuckle from Ottawa, Ontario Canada on Sunday, October 11, 2009
Caught as part of a bookray, although I have no idea who it goes to next (I'm new to this).

Journal Entry 3 by faddyarbuckle from Ottawa, Ontario Canada on Monday, November 23, 2009
It's a story about a teenage girl and her rambling yet coherent thoughts as she struggles to find purpose and meaning in a life that is confined by strong religious beliefs and her coming of age that is mixed in with somewhat dramatic events in her recent past and near future. It's somehow poetic and sad yet real and dramatic. And the rye maybe dark humour accents the boredom that is her life. I'm not exactly sure why this story drags you into the life of such a melancholic character or perhaps not so melancholic as real and not fairy tale-ish but it did grab my attention and leave me wanting to know more with every page.

At first I wondered how much it reflected the true Mennonite life of a teenager but as the story progressed I began to see it more as a story about a teenager than about a Menno teenager with the religious side adding a backdrop on which there could be some drama and reason for the drama. The ending had a climax and yet it didn't but I felt that the story was over and although I still had questions they no longer seemed to need an answer. Strange that.

I'll be sending this book on to the next person in the book ray which I'm posting here because I'm new to this and couldn't find the list:
http://www.bookcrossing.com/forum/20/6360374

Journal Entry 4 by wingmaryzeewing from Taneytown, Maryland USA on Tuesday, December 15, 2009
This arrived safely today, and I should be able to start on it later this week.

Journal Entry 5 by wingmaryzeewing from Taneytown, Maryland USA on Thursday, December 24, 2009
I agree with the previous journalers. A depressing story, a fairly typical self-centered, snarky teenager as the narrator. Nomi smokes, does drugs, and tries to find her place in the world. Abandoned by her mother after her sister runs off, she struggles to keep life as normal as possible for herself and her father. But unfortunately, I doubt that Nomi knows what normal is. She struggles against the Mennonite lifestyle and yearns to break free.

I'll be sending this on to Allthesepieces (per Fran-kinstein), who lives in a nearby state, and then the bookray will continue as listed in the forum thread. Thanks for sharing, too.

Journal Entry 6 by wingmaryzeewing at Exchange/Trade, A Bookcrossing member -- Controlled Releases on Saturday, January 2, 2010

Released 14 yrs ago (1/2/2010 UTC) at Exchange/Trade, A Bookcrossing member -- Controlled Releases

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After lingering here a bit too long, this book has finally been mailed on to the next reader. Sorry for the bit of a hold-up!

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Journal Entry 7 by snarkhunting from Quincy, Massachusetts USA on Monday, January 11, 2010
Arrived safely this morning. Thanks for sending it along!

I have a few more rings/rays in front of this one, but I should be able to get started soon.

Strange, but I rather like the etching of the chicken on the cover...

Journal Entry 8 by snarkhunting at bookcrosser, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Thursday, February 18, 2010

Released 14 yrs ago (2/18/2010 UTC) at bookcrosser, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases

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Sorry about the delay! The book is on its way to the next participant. Thanks for the chance to read it.

Journal Entry 9 by valpete from Walnut Creek, California USA on Wednesday, February 24, 2010
It arrived safely today. I do have a few Rings/Rays ahead of it; I'll get to it as quickly as possible.

Journal Entry 10 by valpete from Walnut Creek, California USA on Saturday, March 13, 2010
Set in a small Mennonite town on the Manitoba prairie, where all is controlled by the rigid expectations of the religious community, Nomi searches for meaning with typical adolescent angst. I wanted to like this book, but found it tedious and confusing and had a difficult time finding "kindness" in any of the pages.

Journal Entry 11 by valpete at Walnut Creek, California USA on Saturday, March 13, 2010

Released 14 yrs ago (3/15/2010 UTC) at Walnut Creek, California USA

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It's on to the next reader. Enjoy!

Journal Entry 12 by wingpenelopewanderswing from Saint-Loup-des Vignes, Centre France on Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Arrived here just before I leave on holiday, so this will be able to travel with me. Thanks for sending!

Journal Entry 13 by wingpenelopewanderswing from Saint-Loup-des Vignes, Centre France on Monday, March 29, 2010
Rather strange tale set, sort of, in the Mennonite community. The writing is quite astonishing, the metaphors often laugh out loud surprising, but the story is actually terribly sad and depressing.
I will try to send this out soon.

Released 13 yrs ago (4/14/2010 UTC) at ☑ 'Controlled Release' > Country > Province > City, .---controlled release---. Switzerland

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I had hoped to send this from Mallorca, where I read it on holiday, but somehow it got complicated getting to the post office at a time it was open- so I ended up bringing it home and posting from here. Sorry for the delay. It's now on its way to Berlin. Thanks for making it available.

Journal Entry 15 by wingUrfinwing from Wolfsburg, Niedersachsen Germany on Thursday, April 22, 2010
Kindness arrived toady, in Berlin. Thanks!

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