janwe's review
5.0
Absolutely heartbreaking. The novel tells the story about women of a Mennonite soceity and the (maybe) development of agency and finding an own voice, as they find themselves at a moment of existential crisis. Very very interesting read.
taniatrn's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
savvylit's review
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
In Women Talking, Miriam Toews takes an absolutely brutal and horrific real event and gives voice to its victims. By setting the story after the crimes have occurred, she allows the focus to be on the women as individuals and as a collective force. As the story progresses, it becomes clear that these women are so much more than their victim status.
Having grown up Mennonite herself, Toews is able to paint a portrait of a specific faith and devotion that is unique to these conservative communities. Women Talking brilliantly weaves a collective feminist awakening into a story about deep faith in God and divine justice.
I've never read anything like this novel before and I absolutely fell in love with Toews' haunting prose. I can't wait to read more of her work!
Having grown up Mennonite herself, Toews is able to paint a portrait of a specific faith and devotion that is unique to these conservative communities. Women Talking brilliantly weaves a collective feminist awakening into a story about deep faith in God and divine justice.
I've never read anything like this novel before and I absolutely fell in love with Toews' haunting prose. I can't wait to read more of her work!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Sexual violence, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Domestic abuse, Child abuse, Pedophilia, and Gaslighting
vanbastarache's review
5.0
By far my favorite book written by Toews. I am usually not a fan of her books but this one, I just didn't want it to end AND especially not that way.
This book is not full of excitement, it's 2 days of women talking in 216 pages, however it is quite interesting and a pleasure to read!
This book is not full of excitement, it's 2 days of women talking in 216 pages, however it is quite interesting and a pleasure to read!
taralpittman's review
3.0
While this novel is classified as fiction, it is based on a true story and reads like something in between; it’s challenging material, and I’m still trying to wrap my head around it, but I definitely appreciate its value.
This is, literally, a documentation of two long meetings between a group of Mennonite women; they are struggling to reframe their faith in light of the fact that many of them have recently been sexually abused by the men to whom they have always assumed they should show respect and submission in order to be faithful servants.
Flaws aside, if you are looking for reading that asks and answers questions deep at the core of a woman’s intrinsic worth, that peels away the mantle covering subjugation within the patriarchy of traditional religion, then Women Talking is the kind of book that will stay with you long after you finish reading. I’m still thinking about it.
This is, literally, a documentation of two long meetings between a group of Mennonite women; they are struggling to reframe their faith in light of the fact that many of them have recently been sexually abused by the men to whom they have always assumed they should show respect and submission in order to be faithful servants.
Flaws aside, if you are looking for reading that asks and answers questions deep at the core of a woman’s intrinsic worth, that peels away the mantle covering subjugation within the patriarchy of traditional religion, then Women Talking is the kind of book that will stay with you long after you finish reading. I’m still thinking about it.
hnagle15's review against another edition
4.0
“'No', says her mother, 'we have ruled out staying and fighting because our faith consists of core values, one of them being pacifism, and we have no homeland but our faith, and we are servants to our faith, and by being such we are assured eternal peace in heaven'.
Salome nearly spits, 'Well that peace sure as fuck is not happening in Molotschna'.”
In the presence of August, the women talk amongst themselves regarding whether or not they should leave Molotschna for both their safety and their children's. The women are vibrant individuals who have been given three choices: 1) to stay and do nothing; 2) to stay and fight; and, 3) to leave. Throughout the novel, each character comes to life and the reader learns why the individual has made their choice, in addition to learning to love them through their stories.
Prior to reading this novel I had never heard of Molotschna, or the "ghost rapes" that occurred there. Toews beautifully weaves fact within fiction, telling the story of the women's assaults through fictionalized characters.
I appreciated the irony of August's narration. I think that the way Toews uses a male voice further emphasize how the women were not believed by the men and that women are so often silenced by men was done brilliantly. The women of Molotschna were given three choices and despite debating them amongst themselves, their story is narrated by a male character who is taking notes at their meeting. During his note taking he often pauses and interjects with his own interpretations of the events and conversations, in addition to adding bits of history and "fun facts". I think writing the story in this way further highlighted the fact that these women had been controlled by the men in their lives for so long.
I really enjoyed this novel and highly recommend it to anyone who loves beautifully written stories and learning about different cultures.
Salome nearly spits, 'Well that peace sure as fuck is not happening in Molotschna'.”
In the presence of August, the women talk amongst themselves regarding whether or not they should leave Molotschna for both their safety and their children's. The women are vibrant individuals who have been given three choices: 1) to stay and do nothing; 2) to stay and fight; and, 3) to leave. Throughout the novel, each character comes to life and the reader learns why the individual has made their choice, in addition to learning to love them through their stories.
Prior to reading this novel I had never heard of Molotschna, or the "ghost rapes" that occurred there. Toews beautifully weaves fact within fiction, telling the story of the women's assaults through fictionalized characters.
I appreciated the irony of August's narration. I think that the way Toews uses a male voice further emphasize how the women were not believed by the men and that women are so often silenced by men was done brilliantly. The women of Molotschna were given three choices and despite debating them amongst themselves, their story is narrated by a male character who is taking notes at their meeting. During his note taking he often pauses and interjects with his own interpretations of the events and conversations, in addition to adding bits of history and "fun facts". I think writing the story in this way further highlighted the fact that these women had been controlled by the men in their lives for so long.
I really enjoyed this novel and highly recommend it to anyone who loves beautifully written stories and learning about different cultures.
r_lumbrix's review
5.0
A novel based on horrifying true events: in an isolated Mennonite colony, women & girls were repeatedly sprayed with anesthesia & raped during the night. The book imagines conversations between a group of these women as they consider three possible responses: 1)do nothing 2)stay and fight 3)leave. Ultimately, the book is a testament to the power of sisterhood and the revolutionary ideas that can come from such a simple thing as women talking. Brutal, yet laced with moments of tenderness & humor.
crabbygirl's review
4.0
wow. what a departure for Toews. it's a philosophical treatise against the backdrop of both an ancient and modern Mennonite colony (time doesn't really pass in a colony, just new vocabulary get added). the crimes of this authoritarian and patriarchal society are shockingly close to crimes being perpetrated today. and the women's reactions are universal and timeless. Toews is an author so shaped by her early life in a religious sect, and this latest offering leads me to believe that her faith, her true faith, has never left her.
meat_muffin's review
2.0
I struggled with this book, and while I finished it I ultimately did not like it. While the premise was interesting, I was frustrated by many things:
1. There wasn't really a PLOT. It was a narration about a decision-making process, with very little actual action.
2. The narrator of a book about the mass rape and violent attacks against women was a MAN. Incredibly ironic, and not in a good way.
3. I was not a fan of the writing style - all narrated in the first person, with no use of quotations so it's often confusing who is saying what and even whether it's a character talking or the narrator's own internal monologue. Some of the asides are helpful for context, but a lot of it's just rambling - literally like reading minutes of a meeting (which is, to be fair, the intention of the author).
The theme and topic themselves are interesting, but this book was NOT for me. It wasn't compelling, it was boring. Why take this interesting situation, and make it as painful as humanly possible to get through? There were moments of interesting components that showed promise, but overall, don't recommend.
1. There wasn't really a PLOT. It was a narration about a decision-making process, with very little actual action.
2. The narrator of a book about the mass rape and violent attacks against women was a MAN. Incredibly ironic, and not in a good way.
3. I was not a fan of the writing style - all narrated in the first person, with no use of quotations so it's often confusing who is saying what and even whether it's a character talking or the narrator's own internal monologue. Some of the asides are helpful for context, but a lot of it's just rambling - literally like reading minutes of a meeting (which is, to be fair, the intention of the author).
The theme and topic themselves are interesting, but this book was NOT for me. It wasn't compelling, it was boring. Why take this interesting situation, and make it as painful as humanly possible to get through? There were moments of interesting components that showed promise, but overall, don't recommend.
aeeklund's review
5.0
Told in a series of meeting minutes, Women Talking relates the conversations and decisions of a group of eight Mennonite women meeting secretly in a hayloft to discuss the three options left to them after they discover they have been repeatedly drugged and violated during the night by members of their own community. Do they do nothing, stay and fight, or leave? Timely, unflinching, gutwrenching, and powerful, Women Talking is a book we need on our shelves right now.