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A review by lianne_rooney
Women Talking by Miriam Toews
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Between 2005-2009, hundreds of women and girls in a Bolivian Mennonite colony were drugged and raped by male members of the colony. Women Talking is an imagined response to these events. The perpetrators are in jail and the majority of the remaining male members of the colony have gone to the city to seek bail for rapists. The women are expected to forgive the men for their actions on their return as this is required for entry into heaven. Over the course of a couple of days, the women gather in a barn to discuss their options - do nothing, stay and fight, or leave. They ask male teacher August - himself an outcast in the colony - to take notes of their discussions as none of the women have been taught to read.
I was absolutely engrossed in the women's discussions. Their position is terrible - if they stay not only will they be expected to forgive but they risk continued abuse. If they fight, they may lose and still be expected to forgive. Leaving is a daunting prospect since none of the women can read, write or even speak the local language. The book seems to suggest that the women getting together and talking is in itself an act of rebellion. Perhaps most surprising, given the subject matter, is the warmth and humour present. I felt it really captured the characters of the women and allowed them to be defined by more than what has been done to them. The story is ultimately a hopeful one. Despite their limited options the women still have agency.
My only minor criticisms are that at times it is a bit repetitive and there are so many characters introduced initially that at times I found it hard to keep them straight. Some of the content was very difficult to read so while I would recommend this, it's with caution to read the content warnings.
I was absolutely engrossed in the women's discussions. Their position is terrible - if they stay not only will they be expected to forgive but they risk continued abuse. If they fight, they may lose and still be expected to forgive. Leaving is a daunting prospect since none of the women can read, write or even speak the local language. The book seems to suggest that the women getting together and talking is in itself an act of rebellion. Perhaps most surprising, given the subject matter, is the warmth and humour present. I felt it really captured the characters of the women and allowed them to be defined by more than what has been done to them. The story is ultimately a hopeful one. Despite their limited options the women still have agency.
My only minor criticisms are that at times it is a bit repetitive and there are so many characters introduced initially that at times I found it hard to keep them straight. Some of the content was very difficult to read so while I would recommend this, it's with caution to read the content warnings.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Suicide, Rape, Pedophilia, and Child abuse