∎ PDF Gratis Mennonite in a Little Black Dress A Memoir of Going Home Rhoda Janzen 9780805089257 Books

Mennonite in a Little Black Dress A Memoir of Going Home Rhoda Janzen 9780805089257 Books

Download As PDF : Mennonite in a Little Black Dress A Memoir of Going Home Rhoda Janzen 9780805089257 Books

Mennonite in a Little Black Dress A Memoir of Going Home Rhoda Janzen 9780805089257 Books

My little sister called and told me I had to get this book. So I did, and she was so right. We have a Mennonite heritage, and I could swear that Janzen has been lurking in the background at our family gatherings because she is so spot on with the family dramas, the banter, and the food, oh the food. When I was reading the book yesterday, my son actually had to ask if there was something wrong with me- apparently looking over at Mom sitting on the couch, writhing as if in pain, with tears streaming down her face, is cause for concern. Honestly, I was just trying to keep it in, not wanting to explain to a teenage boy why I was laughing until I howled. Sorry kid, Mom doesn't want to talk it. It's a little inappropriate. Bottom line, Janzen's voice in the book comes through clearly, if a bit raw at times, in a fast, enjoyable, pithy read. She's a very relatable author, an everywoman who's foibles are identifiable for the rest of us. I'll definitely be buying her other books after I finish this one. Now excuse me- she's got me in the mood for whipping up a batch of zweibach.


Tags : Mennonite in a Little Black Dress: A Memoir of Going Home [Rhoda Janzen] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. <P>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</P><P>Not long after Rhoda Janzen turned forty,Rhoda Janzen,Mennonite in a Little Black Dress: A Memoir of Going Home,Henry Holt and Co.,080508925X,American poets;Biography.,Poets, American;21st century;Biography.,21st century,Biography,Biography & Autobiography,Biography & Autobiography Personal Memoirs,Biography Autobiography,Biography And Autobiography,BiographyAutobiography,Janzen, Rhoda,Personal Memoirs,Poets, American,Women

Mennonite in a Little Black Dress A Memoir of Going Home Rhoda Janzen 9780805089257 Books Reviews

Rhoda Janzen is very, very funny, and I liked a lot about this memoir of her "return" to her Mennonite roots, which she pursues after a painful divorce and perhaps equally painful injuries after an accident. Janzen had left the fold for a life of secularism (even marrying an athiest) and returns for emotional comfort to her parents' home and the community she left behind. However, she goes only skin deep in this exploration, offering renewed appreciation for the warmth and honest goodness of her parents and the Mennonite community. But as personal insights and "aha!" moments go, that's pretty shallow. I was also was turned off by her bizarre, distracting and gratuitous habit of her referring to what we might politely call the lesser bodily functions in many of the chapters. Janzen is still a terrific wordsmith, with a sharp and ironic sense of humor, but as a spiritual memoir, I don't think she dug very far.
An amusing book of a woman's experiences as a Mennonite and her initial rebellion and escape to her acceptance of her past and her
family's value system. Her sarcasm is humorous and witty and clever ( albeit acerbic) and I found the first half of the book more interesting and enjoyable than the latter part. It can probably be attributed to the fact that it became increasingly serious as she became more introspective and self-aware. There are several giggle aloud passages but underlying all of her reasons to deny her past she truly has true respect for it and her Mennonite family and roots. There is an interesting and informative historical addition at the end of the book about the Mennonites.
Whether you are a Mennonite or not or, in fact, if you don't even really know what that means, there is something charming in this book for just about everybody. Janzen describes in great detail the daily rituals of a family so frugal that even stopping at a McDonald's is cause for shame, as well as loud public prayer. And many of us, especially in her age range, can relate to the family traditions that embarrassed us as children but have, over the years, become a treasured part of our personal histories. If we are roughly 50-70 years old now, our parents lived through vast technological change and not everyone changed gracefully. Because the author has an impressively sophisticated knowledge of today's literature and modern mores, she is able to integrate her childhood and adult experiences in a way that helps the rest of us do the same. And it is a tribute to her parents' liberal world view and abiding love and strong work ethic, which seems to have really sustained her. It is a laugh-out-loud kind of read at times and ultimately is an upbeat look at what we can appreciate if we are brave enough to face our past head on.
I had no idea what to expect of this book, but it is hilarious! I had been needing a break from some heavier reading, and this was just the ticket. I would love to hear the audio version as this author is a true comedian.

Her story tells of the ending of her fifteen year marriage to a guy named Bob, who her husband met on gay.com. She takes refuse in in going home to her family who are Mennonites. Somewhere around half way through this memoir takes a turn, and while still being humorous, a lot of life's true meaning tumbled forth. In realizing she is co-dependent, she makes her own 12 steps, which had me laughing out loud. She talks about understanding our humanness, and those around us, forgiveness, and looking at one's own side of the street. While others hold on to their pain or victimization, not Janzen. She is able to move forward with her life.

While the Mennonite faith was not discussed seriously throughout the book, the endnotes have a very informative account of their history and beliefs. A quick side note...pay attention to the characters names. At first they breezed right past me, then I realized how entertaining they were in there own right. This is a quick funny read that is bound to lift your spirits!
My little sister called and told me I had to get this book. So I did, and she was so right. We have a Mennonite heritage, and I could swear that Janzen has been lurking in the background at our family gatherings because she is so spot on with the family dramas, the banter, and the food, oh the food. When I was reading the book yesterday, my son actually had to ask if there was something wrong with me- apparently looking over at Mom sitting on the couch, writhing as if in pain, with tears streaming down her face, is cause for concern. Honestly, I was just trying to keep it in, not wanting to explain to a teenage boy why I was laughing until I howled. Sorry kid, Mom doesn't want to talk it. It's a little inappropriate. Bottom line, Janzen's voice in the book comes through clearly, if a bit raw at times, in a fast, enjoyable, pithy read. She's a very relatable author, an everywoman who's foibles are identifiable for the rest of us. I'll definitely be buying her other books after I finish this one. Now excuse me- she's got me in the mood for whipping up a batch of zweibach.