One one hand, its the story of rhoda janzens disastrous marriage to bisexual, bipolar and extremely disturbing man. Mennonite in a little black dress is a memoir by rhoda janzen. Would we be able to pass muster in normal society, or would our mennonite history forever doom us to outsider status. Mennonite in a little black dress is a solidly written, sarcasticlaced memoir by rhoda janzen, a woman who discovers in her early forties that life is not what she thought it was. There is a reading guide available with some great questions. Im pretty sure that many book groups will appreciate mennonite in a little black dress, and i honestly think it would be a very interesting book to discuss. Books similar to mennonite in a little black dress. Oct 12, 2009 rhoda janzen discusses her new memoir mennonite in a little black dress. I adored how hed come into the room chatting about a book, a friend, current events, whatever, and how hed go down on one knee to empty the pee bag into a basin, talking the whole time of things unrelated to urine, as if squirting his wifes urine were no big deal too. A memoir of going home audio cd october, 2009 by rhonda janzen author, hillary huber narrator 3.
Rhoda janzen discusses her new memoir mennonite in a little black dress. Oct, 2009 she is a terrific, pithy, beautiful writer, a reliable, sympathetic narrator and a fantastically good sport. For the most part, however, according to the mennonite church usa, mennonites welcome others to their churches. A memoir of going home by rhoda janzen 2010, paperback at the best online prices at ebay. It was bad enough that her husband of fifteen years left her for bob, a guy he met on, but that same week a car accident left her. Summary not long after rhoda janzen turned forty, her world turned upside down. Janzen reflects back on her mennonite upbringing with great humor and intelligence. Mennonite in a little black dress moves back and forth in time from janzens childhood to her current life.
Janzen mines mennonite culture for comic effect, but she does so with love. Janzen speak at calvin college back in the spring and she was delightful. A memoir of going home holt paperback multiple titles for book club discussion groups. A memoir of going home paperback april 2010 by rhoda janzen author 3. After finishing mennonite in a little black dress, however, im convinced the book is misnamed, and that the publisher added mennonite to the title as a clever marketing tool. Mennonite in a little black dress audiobook by rhoda janzen. See all 20 formats and editions hide other formats and editions. A hilarious and moving memoirin the spirit of anne lamott and nora ephronabout a woman who returns home to her closeknit mennonite family after a personal crisis. Mennonite in a little black dress i loved the casual, humorous writing style and appreciate the inside perspective of a religion i knew little about. Fun in a little black dress july 20, 2010 wendy macleod saw witness at an impressionable age, and has been fascinated with the amish ever since. This unexpected turn of events results in her moving back to her parents house and her mennonite roots.
Praise for mennonite in a little black dress this book is not just beautiful and intelligent, but also painfully even wincingly funny. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Certainly mennonites play a role in janzens book, but only as a. It is rare that i literally laugh out loud while im reading, but rhoda janzens voice singular, deadpan, sharpwitted and honest. Janzens memoir, however, far exceeds the standard fluff that characterizes this genre. Some of the topics that you could further explore include religion, childhood, parentchild relationships, marriage. Mennonite in a little black dress is a book with a split personality. A hilarious and moving memoirin the spirit of anne lamott and nora ephronabout a woman who returns home to her closeknit mennonite family after a personal crisisnot long after rhoda janzen turned forty, her world turned upside down. She is a terrific, pithy, beautiful writer, a reliable, sympathetic narrator and a fantastically good sport. Parts of the book were very funny and enjoyable and other parts were a bit slow. Apr, 2010 written with wry humor and huge personality. After her marriage broke up, she got into a serious car crash. Mennonite in a little black dress is loose and gossipy.
Mennonite in a little black dress at home with books. Id long assumed that i had been genetically scripted to robust physical health. Norah piehl is a freelance writer and editor in the boston area. A memoir of going home from the worlds largest community of readers. An indispensable book by writers who have experienced firsthand the rewards and challenges of crafting a memoir. This book was very popular in the usano 1 in the usa that inevitably it had an american slant, and was written by an americancanadian for an american audience, but it was an enjoyable read, and gave o good insight into the mennonite community, and what they stand for, it gave an interesting comparison between mennonite and the amish community. Janzens tone reminds me of garrison keillors deadpan, affectionate, slightly hyperbolic stories about urbanities and minnesota lutherans. Mennonite in a little black dress is snortupyourcoffee funny, breezy yet profound, and poetic without trying. Mennonite in a little black dress janzen litlovers. Sometimes mistaken for amish, mennonites are a group of christians that formed during the protestant reformation. Jan 01, 2011 buy mennonite in a little black dress. Dec 12, 2018 there are about 40 different mennonite groups in the u. At this point it may sound as if mennonite in a little black dress is entering the overly familiar territory of the selfpitying memoir or of some facile selfhelp book. Mennonite in a little black dress is a hilarious collection of musings on janzens childhood, marriage, and eccentric familyjanzen mines mennonite culture for comic effect, but she does so with love.
Nov 08, 2009 through the entire book, i never once doubted that a woman with this degree of fortitude and selfreliance would be all right. The first half of the book really kept my attention and i found myself laughing out loud quite often. A memoir of going home 9780805092257 by janzen, rhoda and a great selection of similar new, used and. Daughter of the head of the mennonite church in north america the mennonite equivalent of the pope, janzen rejected her familys faith at eighteen to go to college and teach. So she goes home to the mennonite family she left behind. Mennonite in a little black dress is simply a great read, simultaneously funny, wrenching, andalways crucial to chick litheartwarming. Fun in a little black dress wendy macleod saw witness at an impressionable age, and has been fascinated with the amish ever since. Id long assumed that i had been genetically scripted to robust physical health, like my mother, who never even catches a head cold. A memoir of going home by moniquehughes see profile 032312. And while there are many divisions of mennonites also called anabaptists, most agree on the core tenets of christianity. A mennonite man with loosefitting slacks, a buttoned shirt and black shoes is going to look like thousands of nonmennonite men wearing very similar clothing. See all 28 formats and editions hide other formats and editions. Mennonite in a little black dress is a hilarious collection of musings on janzens childhood, marriage, and eccentric family. Rhoda janzen is the author of mennonite in a little black dress.
Ej buys his clothing black work slacks, a navy blue work shirt and brown or black work boots from the same companies where my father and millions of other working class men have. It is rare that i literally laugh out loud while im reading, but rhoda janzens voice singular, deadpan, sharpwitted and honest slayed me, with audible results. But then, im a guy and the image of a wholesome woman wearing a lbd. Sep 21, 2010 rhoda janzen, mennonite in a little black dress. What happens when someone like me with a very liberal and sort of cosmopolitan past makes a move back toward being churched and joining a worship community on purpose. Mennonite in a little black dress meet your next favorite book. With open arms and offbeat advice, this sheltered community helps her come to terms with her failed marriage and the choi. Mennonite in a little black dress audiobook by rhoda. People four stars mennonite in a little black dress is a hilarious collection of musings on janzens childhood, marriage, and eccentric family. Discussion questions book club recommendationsdiscussion. Mennonite in a little black dress a memoir of going home book. Mennonite in a little black dress mennonite in a little black dress audiobook, by rhoda janzen. Mennonite in a little black dress will resonate with any reader who has ever thought about how such choices shape our futures, or with anyone who has struggled to recapture faithin god, in other people or in oneself.
Their beginnings were marked by persecution, while the church itself has long been a proponent of peace. Clearly, the publishers plan to market this book as chick lit, and it will likely be successful in that genre. Mennonite in a little black dress is an immensely moving memoir of healing, certain to touch anyone who has ever had to look homeward in order to move ahead. Mennonite in a little black dress rhoda janzen macmillan.