Reviews

Irma Voth: A Novel by Miriam Toews, Miriam Toews

bibliobrandie's review against another edition

2.0

I love Miriam Toews but this one just didn't work for me. The last 50 or so pages were good, but it was work to get there. I am looking forward to All My Puny Sorrows.

beanpod's review

3.0

It felt so vivid at first, so urgent. By the end it felt like a blurry, rushed story. But the writing, throughout the novel, is unquestionably beautiful.

lindseyzwilson's review against another edition

dark hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

anavav2's review against another edition

funny hopeful inspiring slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

mattgroot1980's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

lsparrow's review against another edition

3.0

i find the different menonite communities and migrations so facinating.
the story did not hold me as much as those histories that unpinned the story and the characters.

magswts's review against another edition

4.0

Great, as usual.

migimon2002's review against another edition

3.0

This was a quick read. Although the distinct narrative voice of the main character - Irma - took some getting used to, I soon settled into the style. I found many elements of the story relatable, as the Mexican Mennonite culture is prevalent in the area of Canada I live. I even know of families that continue to travel yearly to visit relatives in areas such as Chihuahua, Mexico (a location discussed by Irma in the story). In some respects I found this novel a little bit disjointed. The first half about the filmmaking, and the second half in Mexico City, kind of felt like two different tales. Although they did connect somewhat at the end, I felt I was left wanting more story (especially about characters from the first half of the book). Overall, I'm happy to have read Irma Voth. I would likely recommend this novel to others, especially if they have some knowledge of the Mexican Mennonite culture, as I think they'd find it to be an interesting read.

fromp's review against another edition

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

roseforemily's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny and Child abuse