Monique B. reviewed I Am Hutterite: The Fascinating True Story of a Young Woman's Journey to Reclaim Her Heritage on + 27 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
This was an interesting book to read. Although I had heard about and visited Amish communities around northeast Ohio, and my mom lived near a Mennonite community, I had never heard the term Hutterite. Reading Mary-Ann Kirby's book, I was able to glean a little bit of information about this religious community through her eyes. The family members and friends in the book came alive through her descriptive words and funny stories. Although the way the Hutterite people interact with one another is very straight-forward and blunt, quite a few of the people had a great sense of humor, just a little more dry than what I would be used to.
I appreciate that Mrs. Kirby tries to explain what it was like to live between two communities and how difficult it must have been for her parents to make the decisions they felt they needed to make in order to protect their families.
The way Hutterites live is fascinating along the lines of it takes a village to raise a child, which is very different than the way I grew up. I think it takes a special kind of people to be able to write and tell the stories, both good and bad, about her culture, its differences, knowing in advance that it will anger some people and embarrass others. I think writing this was probably very cathartic and was certainly corageous and I say thanks for letting me get a glimpse of your life.
I was a little confused about the relationships of the numerous people who were described in the book, only to discover after I had read the book, that there was a family tree listed in the back of the book. There was also a Hutterite language glossary at the end, which could have helped me as well, if I had known it was there.
I appreciate that Mrs. Kirby tries to explain what it was like to live between two communities and how difficult it must have been for her parents to make the decisions they felt they needed to make in order to protect their families.
The way Hutterites live is fascinating along the lines of it takes a village to raise a child, which is very different than the way I grew up. I think it takes a special kind of people to be able to write and tell the stories, both good and bad, about her culture, its differences, knowing in advance that it will anger some people and embarrass others. I think writing this was probably very cathartic and was certainly corageous and I say thanks for letting me get a glimpse of your life.
I was a little confused about the relationships of the numerous people who were described in the book, only to discover after I had read the book, that there was a family tree listed in the back of the book. There was also a Hutterite language glossary at the end, which could have helped me as well, if I had known it was there.
Heidi V. reviewed I Am Hutterite: The Fascinating True Story of a Young Woman's Journey to Reclaim Her Heritage on + 31 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I thought this book was an eye-opening journey into the secretive lives of the Hutterite community. I felt the author was honest and did a wonderful job of portraying her feelings and experiences as a child on the Hutterite colony. I liked her quote "Freedom is found neither on the colony nor off the colony, it is an inside job." And though sometimes non-fiction and memoirs are somewhat boring, I thought this book read like a fiction book and there were lots of events happening that kept me turning the page.
Amanda M. (tapcat16) reviewed I Am Hutterite: The Fascinating True Story of a Young Woman's Journey to Reclaim Her Heritage on + 150 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Kirkby provides profound and gentle insight into the world of the Hutterites through her memoir. Hutterites are a religious sect similar to the Amish, only in addition to living set apart from the rest of the world, they firmly believe in communal living. Kirkby's memoir covers her time with the Hutterites as well as the painful period when her parents left the religious sect and her journey toward being a more mainstream adult. Unlike many memoirs, there is no bitterness in Kirkby's voice, even when discussing difficult times. It is clear she has worked hard to understand everyone's viewpoint and is at peace with both her past and who she has become. A memoir of a fascinating girlhood, as well as an alternate way of life.
Check out my full review.
Check out my full review.
