Mennonite in a Little Black Dress

[JayGee]

I was in Borders the other day and this book was prominently displayed at the entrance, and looked good, so I bought it. Well, I just finished reading it and seriously, I have not laughed that hard in a LONG time . Anyone else read this? It's hysterical!

[annettemarie]

I'm going to move this out to the general book forum, but I really want to read this. I'm gald you liked it! I just finished reading I Am Hutterrite and this was next on my list. Was it respectful?

[JayGee]

Originally Posted by annettemarie

I'm going to move this out to the general book forum, but I really want to read this. I'm gald you liked it! I just finished reading I Am Hutterrite and this was next on my list. Was it respectful?

Well, yes and no. She had stepped away from her faith in a pretty significant way, so that of course colors the way she views the Mennonite comminuty. Her writing can be a little crass, but her Mennonite roots shine through, especially at the end. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

[annettemarie]

I'm OK with crass. In the Hutterite book, she leaves the community, but she's very... I don't know, almost nostalgic about it, while still recognizing that she can't go back. But I read another religious memoir type book called I'm Perfect, You're Doomed from an ex-Jehovah's Witness, and she seemed to have nothing but disdain. Which is fine I guess, if that's her experience, but I kind of prefer a book that can see the good along with the bad.

I wonder if religious memoire is some sort of new genre?

[madskye]

I loved it--I wish I could meet her mom in real life. It is a funny book, and I think she paints a pretty balanced picture of her community. I did laugh alot, too!

[Geofizz]

I'm married to someone raised mennonite. I just requested it from the library. I look forward to it, though I take it I shouldn't take it with me when I visit the ILs.

[annettemarie]

Originally Posted by Geofizz

I'm married to someone raised mennonite. I just requested it from the library. I look forward to it, though I take it I shouldn't take it with me when I visit the ILs.

[Viola]

I want to read all of these books, now that I've heard of them.

[Viola]

Hmmmm, I'm wondering if this one is any better, in relation to the JW book.

[JayGee]

Originally Posted by Geofizz

I'm married to someone raised mennonite. I just requested it from the library. I look forward to it, though I take it I shouldn't take it with me when I visit the ILs.

Probably a good call, Geo. Bet your husband will love it though!

[tinybutterfly]

Added it to my "To read" list.

Annette, I do better with respectful, too.

I loved reading this book ( can't remember the title) about a midwife who worked in the Amish community, but she herself was not Amish. It was a wonderful read!

[CATPAT30]

Originally Posted by annettemarie

I'm OK with crass. In the Hutterite book, she leaves the community, but she's very... I don't know, almost nostalgic about it, while still recognizing that she can't go back. But I read another religious memoir type book called I'm Perfect, You're Doomed from an ex-Jehovah's Witness, and she seemed to have nothing but disdain. Which is fine I guess, if that's her experience, but I kind of prefer a book that can see the good along with the bad.

I wonder if religious memoire is some sort of new genre?

I'm a Jehovah's witness. And i have been through some tough situations. I have no idea what makes people go so extreem with hate if they were raised one and leave. I know friends who have done this and some of them quietly just stop coming around others are so nasty about it. I dont want to talk to them about ANYTHING at all. - but that is their choice.

oh what was the point i was going to say???....
oh yeah.. The Documentary KNOCKING was done by someone who was raised by single mom who became a witness when he was a kid. Although he did not choose to become one himself. Its really well done. and cool because he got footage from the Watchtower headquarters that i've never seen before.

And please never judge a religion on the people who left that religion. you should really speak to someone who is currently in that religion they will have real answers. and No We are not perfect nor do we EVER say that. ever.

[Caneel]

Originally Posted by JayGee

I was in Borders the other day and this book was prominently displayed at the entrance, and looked good, so I bought it. Well, I just finished reading it and seriously, I have not laughed that hard in a LONG time . Anyone else read this? It's hysterical!

I have it on my list but didn't read it yet.

I live in an area heavily populated by both Amish and Mennonite families and I was fortunate enough to have a very close relationship with a Mennonite family. The mother was raised Old Order Amish then married a Mennonite man. She openned my eyes to a culture that I lived next too my entire life but knew little about until adulthood.

Another book on the in-then-out of a (Amish, not Mennonite) culture is Crossing Over, One Woman's Escape from Amish Life

http://www.amazon.com/Crossing-Over-...7227737&sr=1-4

Editing to add - the above is not a feel good book

[Aquitane]

I read it and LOVED it! There were laugh-out-loud moments.

I think she's respectful, but she's also very honest about why she no longer practices that religion. She explains what she loves about having been brought up Mennonite, and the parts that she can't live with.

I feel it's more a "going home" type of story. It chronicles how her upbringing and her family help her through a tough time.

I'd recommend it to anyone!

[Caneel]

I just finished it last night. I totally agree that she is respectful and honest. I also agree that it is a coming home story.

Her descriptions of her Mennonite upbringing completed shocked me. I had no idea that there were such "liberal" (for lack of a better word) Mennonites out there.

Like I mentioned in a prior post, I am quite familar with Mennonite families and what the author describes would never, never, never go on in their families as the ones I know are so very conservative. So for that alone, it was worthwhile for me to learn about different versions of Mennonite.

Honestly, she describes a childhood and church life not unlike most families, including my own, I knew growing up.

The lunch-in-margerine-dish shame made me laugh out loud, as did the stripe of shame on her childhood pants. And the diaper bag lunch box! The description of VBS was spot on to my own memories!

I think anyone who grew up in a simple, frugal, conservative (whether religous, political or financial) family could find a lot of humor in the book.

[zinemama]

Although she pokes fun at her Mennonite upbringing, she does it in a very loving way. And it's not the faith itself she mocks - if that's even the word - but the cultural aspects - the frumpy clothes she had to wear, the food, that sort of thing. The way anyone might about being raised in an out-of-the-mainstream culture - which is why I think it's easy to relate to for many types of people.

I agree that this book was very funny. I thought it tended to ramble a bit toward the end, but overall, she comes across as a very likeable character.

[emelsea]

I enjoyed it. I did LOL when she discussed the embarrassing lunches her mom packed for her to take to school, because my mom packed some shameful lunches, too. I actually called my sister and read that part to her over the phone, and we laughed 'til we cried. But to tell you the truth, any time my sister or I need a good laugh, we call each other and talk about our school lunches.

I'd also love to meet her mom and dad in person. They sound like a lot of fun (good, wholesome fun, of course!).

[mandib50]

these all sound great, thanks! i'm checking them out of my library.

[alsoSarah]

Originally Posted by tinybutterfly

I loved reading this book ( can't remember the title) about a midwife who worked in the Amish community, but she herself was not Amish. It was a wonderful read!

Was it this one?

AlsoSarah

[mandib50]

haha i loved I'm Perfect, You're Doomed, she is such a funny writer. i mean i felt sad at the experiences she had, but i looked at the book as less about what it meant to be a JW and more about what it meant to be a troubled teen.