![]() ![]() Mary, her upbeat mother, is undoubtedly the star of the book. There's not much plot but plenty of asides, lists and even some cheery Mennonite songs. The memoir grew out of describing family incidents to her friends on email and its self-deprecating voice is so conversational it feels as if Janzen is reading out loud. The tale that follows is a romp through her bizarre and sheltered childhood (friends were "pre-screened for bad influences"), her and her younger sister Hannah's early love affairs, Janzen's dysfunctional marriage and how she mended her heart, as well as her broken bones. But during Janzen's six-month sabbatical and convalescence, this quiet Christian community welcomes her home. Mennonites have a low view of education, especially for women, whose place is firmly in the kitchen, where they are expected to "cook, bake, sew and serve". ![]() Unlike her brothers, who have stayed close to the fold, Janzen could have been ostracised because of her decision to embark on an academic career - she's a published poet and a creative writing teacher - and marry an atheist. ![]()
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