A Complicated Kindness

by Miriam Toews

Her uncle, known as The Mouth, is head of the church, responsible for the harsh laws and cruel 'shunning', yet that doesn't stop Nomi falling for the town's most unsuitable boy - Travis. In such a secretive and god-fearing community, Nomi finds it impossible to find ways to express her many and growing passions. And despite her wish to keep everything together and look after her father, Nomi finds herself drawn towards revelations and self destruction, with Travis at her side.

• ISBN10: 0676976123
• ISBN13: 9780676976120
• Publish Date: 20 April 2004
• Publish Status: Remaindered
• Out of Print: 18 November 2014
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Knopf Canada
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 246
• Language: English

Reviews

[ibeforem]

This was an unusual book. The writing is very disjointed and jumps around a lot in time, but it fits since it’s the scattered narration of a very confused and lost 16 year old. I’m not sure how accurate this portrayal of a Mennonite child is, but Nomi’s world is very sad and lonely. I enjoyed the tenderness she shows her father, who is just as sad and lonely as she is. The ending offers a little explanation, but there is still a lot left to the unknown.