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A review by bookishlifeofbrie
Irma Voth by Miriam Toews
2.0
2.5 stars.
I'm not sure what to think or to say about this book. The first half was a bit slow and boring, but the last half was much more interesting and engaging. Which makes me think a lot of people probably abandoned the book before it ever got "good". I consider myself a fan of Toews' work, but this one just didn't do it for me.
Our main character is Irma Voth. Irma is 19 years old and a Canadian Mennonite now living in rural Mexico with her father, mother, sister and two brothers. Except Irma fell in love with a Mexican boy, married him and now has been shunned from her family and her home. Irma and Jorges live in one of the houses her father owns for free as long as they do their farm choose, but Irma is not allowed to see her family.
Near the beginning of the book, Jorges leaves Irma and a Mexican film crew takes up residence on their farm and begin to shoot a movie. Irma slowly befriends them and becomes involved. (This is the first half of the book). Tensions between Irma's sister and her father are rising, and fearing for their lives, they take off to Mexico City in search of a better life...Jorges...jobs.
Irma's character really shone for me in the second half. Gone was the timid girl, living in the shadow of her father's wrath. In Mexico City (and en route to it) Irma was tough, street smart and resourceful. Had this book taken place anywhere else, I'm not sure I would have believed the outcome of two young, blonde girls looking for a place to live and work in Mexico City.
The ending was sweet, and did redeem the beginning half of the book for me. But would I recommend this book to someone else? No. Did I like the book overall? Not really, and I'm pretty sure I'll be unable to recall any of it in a few months. So 2.5 stars it is.
I'm not sure what to think or to say about this book. The first half was a bit slow and boring, but the last half was much more interesting and engaging. Which makes me think a lot of people probably abandoned the book before it ever got "good". I consider myself a fan of Toews' work, but this one just didn't do it for me.
Our main character is Irma Voth. Irma is 19 years old and a Canadian Mennonite now living in rural Mexico with her father, mother, sister and two brothers. Except Irma fell in love with a Mexican boy, married him and now has been shunned from her family and her home. Irma and Jorges live in one of the houses her father owns for free as long as they do their farm choose, but Irma is not allowed to see her family.
Near the beginning of the book, Jorges leaves Irma and a Mexican film crew takes up residence on their farm and begin to shoot a movie. Irma slowly befriends them and becomes involved. (This is the first half of the book). Tensions between Irma's sister and her father are rising, and fearing for their lives, they take off to Mexico City in search of a better life...Jorges...jobs.
Irma's character really shone for me in the second half. Gone was the timid girl, living in the shadow of her father's wrath. In Mexico City (and en route to it) Irma was tough, street smart and resourceful. Had this book taken place anywhere else, I'm not sure I would have believed the outcome of two young, blonde girls looking for a place to live and work in Mexico City.
The ending was sweet, and did redeem the beginning half of the book for me. But would I recommend this book to someone else? No. Did I like the book overall? Not really, and I'm pretty sure I'll be unable to recall any of it in a few months. So 2.5 stars it is.