A review by katieohara
Women Talking by Miriam Toews

dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Originally I thought I would be bothered by a man as a narrator of a story about women’s trauma, but to be honest I think it works really well. A male narrator has a similar level of disconnect that the readers as non Mennonite’s might feel. The male narrator guides us through it as he himself is grappling with the situation and his differences from the women.

I think the comparison to Greek tragedy is very accurate, particularly on the philosophical debates on how to best handle justice. I was deeply engrossed in their arguments. I think the author did a great job balancing the debates with the (and I hesitate to say) limitations of illiterate women.