I have very little exposure to the Mennonite people, but probably more than your "average Joan;" it was really an interesting look not only into the lifestyle that Rhoda Janzen grew up in, but also delightful insights into her own family. She experiences a few major life-crises' (ie. Her husband leaves her for a man he met on gay.com), and she elects to move home for a while to regroup. The memoir came about because during her time at home, she kept all of her friends up to date with some quaint anecdotes about her family and their unique culture. Her friends were intrigued and suggested she put together a memoir. I'm glad she did...
Ms. Janzen talks about her life growing up as part of the Mennonite culture. I loved the chapter about "shame-based-foods." She tells of being "that kid" who opens her lunch bag to a thermos full of delicious, but odorous Borscht. There is nothing like already dressing differently than your whole school, but also having the "smelly lunch." I love the way she talks about her perky, peppy, ultra-honest-to-a-fault mother. The same mom who despite the heightened sense of modesty, has no problem examining a rash on the undercarriage of her future daughter-in-law just as they've met for the first time. You have to love the irony there.
I experienced smirks aplenty as well as more than one belly laugh whilst immersing myself in this literary delight. I love her honest, tongue-in-cheek wit and sense of humor, and the fact that she can look back at her roots and see the pro and cons of her childhood lifestyle. The author is no longer an "active" member of the community; as soon as she was able, she high-tailed it into the life of academia and never looked back. I do have to say that it was I little disappointed in the fact that she very blatantly slams some of the spiritual beliefs that are held so dearly by her family. While I do understand that different people have different belief systems, I also think that maybe she should show a little more flexibility on the matter. She fled the lifestyle and belief system in search of "freedom" so, following that same logic, shouldn't she allow freedom to her still-practicing family. It's clear that, despite the differences in her spiritual beliefs and her family's, there is a lot of love between them all.
I found the book to be a good mix of hilarity, eccentricity, as well as some sadder moments. I think it's a great thing that she included all these different aspects because that's exactly how life is; it's a mixture of both the up's and down's. Also, as a side note, keep your dictionary handy throughout your reading. Her vocabulary is EXTENSIVE; she is an English professor and all.
Seriously, if you get a chance, check out the ice cream...
