There are a number of interesting comments attached to the review by Shirley Hershey Showalter (link provided above). Of particular interest is a comment from Amy Janzen who is "Staci" in the book. She is not happy with with way she and her sister-in-law were portrayed.
There is a 2nd Mennonite Weekly Review Article about Rhoda Janzen and her plans to write a second book that will pick up where the first book ends.
Rhoda Janzen's real gift may be that of being a poet, and writing memoirs may be a means to earn some money. THIS LINK goes to four poems by Rhoda Janzen published on the website of the Center for Mennonite Writers. All the poems are on the theme of the Martyrs Mirror.
And while you're on that website, HERE'S A LINK to another review of "Mennonite in a Little Black Dress" written by Jessica Baldanzi, Assistant Professor of English at Goshen College.
And HERE'S A LINK to comments in response to the above book review.
I was disappointed with this book. Maybe it was because I didn’t connect with her sense of humor or felt like sometimes the author was just rambling about random things that didn’t have any point. I didn’t really appreciate how she jumped from one story to another, sometimes leaving me hanging. Or maybe part of the problem is that I couldn’t identify with her experience of growing up in a conservative Mennonite community.
As a Mennonite, I admit I was little perturbed that the author did not distinguish the difference between being Mennonite Brethren and Mennonite. She grew up Mennonite Brethren, which is a more conservative group. I would imagine there are people out there that will read this book and believe that now they understand what it means to be Mennonite. Those poor misled people. She just feeds into stereotypes people have about Mennonites and makes fun of their strange food and crazy conservatism.
There is a wide spectrum of beliefs among Mennonites. She could have said this in her own quirky style. Too bad for her she got stuck in more conservative circles, but not all Mennonites are like that. It is possible to be Mennonite and progressive.
So the book was okay. There were some amusing stories. Not horrible, but okay.
At the end of my review of Katie Funk Wiebe’s memoir, “You Never Gave Me A Name,” I have included a brief comparison with Rhoda Janzen’s memoir, “Mennonite in a Little Black Dress.” LINK TO CLIF'S REVIEW
Dora Dueck's blog contains her review of the book and also many reply comments in response to her review. LINK TO DORA'S REVIEW Dora Dueck is Mennonite Brethren so her comments carry some additional poignancy. Dora has also said that she checked with the assistant editor of the MB Herald (the Canadian MB periodical) and she said a review of the "Mennonite in a Little Black Dress" will be in the March issue. It will be interesting to see what they have to say.
I noticed in yesterday's paper (8/22/10) that Rhoda Janzen and her book are one of three finalists in the Thurber Prize for American Humor. LINK TO THURBER PRIZE Results will be announced in October 2010.
The purpose of this discussion board is to provide a forum for discussion of movies, books and adult Sunday school topics of interest to members and friends of Rainbow Mennonite Church.
10 comments:
The following reviews are worth reading:
Link to MENNONITE WEEKLY REVIEW
Link to REVIEW BY SHIRLEY HERSHEY SHOWALTER
Link to REVIEW BY CLIF HOSTETLER
There are a number of interesting comments attached to the review by Shirley Hershey Showalter (link provided above). Of particular interest is a comment from Amy Janzen who is "Staci" in the book. She is not happy with with way she and her sister-in-law were portrayed.
There is a 2nd Mennonite Weekly Review Article about Rhoda Janzen and her plans to write a second book that will pick up where the first book ends.
Being reviewed by the New York Times is always an honor for any book author. So here's the link to the NY Times Review.
Rhoda Janzen's real gift may be that of being a poet, and writing memoirs may be a means to earn some money. THIS LINK goes to four poems by Rhoda Janzen published on the website of the Center for Mennonite Writers. All the poems are on the theme of the Martyrs Mirror.
And while you're on that website, HERE'S A LINK to another review of "Mennonite in a Little Black Dress" written by Jessica Baldanzi, Assistant Professor of English at Goshen College.
And HERE'S A LINK to comments in response to the above book review.
I was disappointed with this book. Maybe it was because I didn’t connect with her sense of humor or felt like sometimes the author was just rambling about random things that didn’t have any point. I didn’t really appreciate how she jumped from one story to another, sometimes leaving me hanging. Or maybe part of the problem is that I couldn’t identify with her experience of growing up in a conservative Mennonite community.
As a Mennonite, I admit I was little perturbed that the author did not distinguish the difference between being Mennonite Brethren and Mennonite. She grew up Mennonite Brethren, which is a more conservative group. I would imagine there are people out there that will read this book and believe that now they understand what it means to be Mennonite. Those poor misled people. She just feeds into stereotypes people have about Mennonites and makes fun of their strange food and crazy conservatism.
There is a wide spectrum of beliefs among Mennonites. She could have said this in her own quirky style. Too bad for her she got stuck in more conservative circles, but not all Mennonites are like that. It is possible to be Mennonite and progressive.
So the book was okay. There were some amusing stories. Not horrible, but okay.
Here's a link to a YouTube video of Rhoda Janzen speaking about her book:
LINK TO VIDEO
At the end of my review of Katie Funk Wiebe’s memoir, “You Never Gave Me A Name,” I have included a brief comparison with Rhoda Janzen’s memoir, “Mennonite in a Little Black Dress.”
LINK TO CLIF'S REVIEW
Dora Dueck's blog contains her review of the book and also many reply comments in response to her review.
LINK TO DORA'S REVIEW
Dora Dueck is Mennonite Brethren so her comments carry some additional poignancy. Dora has also said that she checked with the assistant editor of the MB Herald (the Canadian MB periodical) and she said a review of the "Mennonite in a Little Black Dress" will be in the March issue. It will be interesting to see what they have to say.
The March 2010 issue of the MB Herald has a review of the book.
LINK TO MB HERALD REIEW
Now you can read about it in the latest COSTCO catalog/advertisement!
I noticed in yesterday's paper (8/22/10) that Rhoda Janzen and her book are one of three finalists in the Thurber Prize for American Humor.
LINK TO THURBER PRIZE
Results will be announced in October 2010.
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