Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Book Review: I am Hutterite AND Giveaway!!

Booksneeze.com sent me a copy of Mary-Ann Kirkby's I am Hutterite to read and review, and I must say, I was pleasantly surprised.


I adore memoirs, but you never really can tell ... I mean, it seems like everyone is writing their memoir these days, and you have to figure that not ALL of them have the most interesting things to say and it is hard to be a "good" writer.

Anyway, I wasn't disappointed with Mary-Ann Kirkby's tale.  Mary-Ann grew up in a religious sect called the Hutterites, which is a branch of Anabaptists who, like the Amish and Mennonites, trace their roots to the Radical Reformation of the 16th century.  The Hutterites embrace community living, absolute pacifism, and living as much like their ancestors would have in 16th century Europe.  Since the Hutterites moved to North America in the 18th and 19th centuries, their population grew from 400 to around 42,000.  Today Hutterites are found in the provinces of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Colombia, and in the US they reside in North and South Dakota, Minnesota, Washington and Montana.

The book started off a little shaky, and I really couldn't hear Mary-Ann's voice, as she began by telling her mother's story, but it soon picks up, and I was engrossed.  She begins with her father and mother meeting and getting married, followed by her "charmed" community life, and finally being moved out of the community and facing the "English" world.

While at times the first half is hard to read with all the Hutterisch phrases (which are sometimes followed by and English translation and sometimes NOT), the story keeps you going.  I had a real attachment to Mary-Ann by the second half of the book, and my heart broke as she struggled to fit in at school.  My only other complaint is that the book is so careful and slow and detailed, but then it just ENDS.  She's in the middle of a narrative, and then, BAM, epilogue.  I guess it's hard to end a memoir when you went on living for so long after the part you need to tell ends, but it rubbed me the wrong way.

Overall, I would definitely recommend it.  In fact, one of you lucky bitches or bastards could have this book show up in your mailbox compliments of ME!  Here's the deal: since religious sects are usually seen as cults (not to say that the Hutterites are a cult, but you get what I mean!), to enter this giveaway, respond in the comments section with why YOU would be a great cult leader.  The best answer WINS!  Just be sure to leave your e-mail address so I can contact you and get your mailing address.

YAY!  A giveaway!  I must be like, the nicest person on the planet.  Or something.

7 comments:

  1. I would be the perfect cult leader because I have a charming smile. I'm pretty sure that's all it takes, right? At least that's what it looks like in all the cult documentaries I've watched.

    Or because God speaks to me? Yes, that's the reason.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Are you serious? I'm already a cult leader on my blog. I call everyone lambwhores and goatsluts and refer to them as my bitches frequently.

    My gay cat is my voice of reason and my feral cat who is STILL in fucking heat is my voice of insanity. It's a nice balance.

    If people refuse to follow the rules my 4 year old daughter will spray you with bug spray while my 2 year old son will kick you in head.

    If that doesn't command respect I don't know what else will.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi, great review! Thanks! I found this book to be a bit slow...perhaps that was because I was born and raised in a Hutterite colony. Actually I still live in one. I found all the detailed descriptions a bit tedious. I have my personal review of this book posted on my blog. Check it out if you can find the time.

    http://blogs.allhutterites.com/lightofevenstar/

    ReplyDelete
  4. I'd be a perfect cult leader because I have red hair. And I am 6'1. And I have big breasts. I could rule the World one day.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Opps, I was logged in under the wrong blogger profile. This one shows my photo. So I can prove that I am a redhead with large breasts. I just can't prove the height in this photo. But I am willing to send some photo verification if needed.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I would be an awesome cult leader because I'm currently six months pregnant and have mastered playing the pregnancy card to get what I want. "My hips hurt and *sniff* I feel pukey and sad...invade Canada in my name! Do it! Do it now! And bring me a doughnut!"

    Plus, I'm admittedly a bit hormonal and crazy right now. Cult leaders are typically crazy, right? AND! I have five cats, so I have experience leading minions.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I would be an awesome cult leader because I'm currently six months pregnant and have mastered playing the pregnancy card to get what I want. "My hips hurt and *sniff* I feel pukey and sad...invade Canada in my name! Do it! Do it now! And bring me a doughnut!"

    Plus, I'm admittedly a bit hormonal and crazy right now. Cult leaders are typically crazy, right? AND! I have five cats, so I have experience leading minions.

    ReplyDelete

Every time you leave me a comment, an angel earns its wings.

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...