April C. (verbeach) reviewed Mennonite in a Little Black Dress: A Memoir of Going Home on + 20 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 23
I had a hard time deciding how many stars to give this book, because on one hand, it started out on a great note. It was so hilarious I was laughing out loud! About halfway through, however, the theme of the book takes a turn from funny to offensive (for me.) The author spends most of the latter half of the book talking about how religious people are all brainwashed sheep and how offensive they are to her, all except her family, I suppose. If she had kept going like she started the book, I would have given it 5 stars. But being a brainwashed sheep myself, I wouldn't have bought the book if I had known what was in store.
Regina (Gr8Smokies) reviewed Mennonite in a Little Black Dress: A Memoir of Going Home on + 98 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 13
Rhoda Janzen, raised as a Mennonite, left the culture in her adulthood and lived among the regular folks. She had a pretty normal and happy life until a set of health mishaps--and her husband leaving her for a man he met on Gay.com.
The book is about her reconnecting to her family and recovering pieces of herself that she allowed to be swallowed up by an unhappy marriage. Weirdly, she does not really admit to the true character of her husband until pages and pages into the book. Then you discover that the whole dissolving of her marriage should not have come as any surprise at all.
For me, I never really connected with Rhoda or with her family and friends. There was just something missing. I'm not sure that I can put my finger on what it was, but I think it was just a lack of depth in the telling of who they were. I enjoyed reading about her mother and her sister and brother-in-law, but some of the other people were just not interesting.
I found the middle of the book to be entertaining, but my interest was not sustained through the end. I did learn about Mennonite culture (no, they are not the same as the Amish!). And if I never hear the phrase "Bob from Gay.com", I will be most delighted.
The book is about her reconnecting to her family and recovering pieces of herself that she allowed to be swallowed up by an unhappy marriage. Weirdly, she does not really admit to the true character of her husband until pages and pages into the book. Then you discover that the whole dissolving of her marriage should not have come as any surprise at all.
For me, I never really connected with Rhoda or with her family and friends. There was just something missing. I'm not sure that I can put my finger on what it was, but I think it was just a lack of depth in the telling of who they were. I enjoyed reading about her mother and her sister and brother-in-law, but some of the other people were just not interesting.
I found the middle of the book to be entertaining, but my interest was not sustained through the end. I did learn about Mennonite culture (no, they are not the same as the Amish!). And if I never hear the phrase "Bob from Gay.com", I will be most delighted.
John S. (Seajack) reviewed Mennonite in a Little Black Dress: A Memoir of Going Home on + 347 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 12
Maybe I'm just sated with the memoir thing? Or, maybe this one really just doesn't quite live up to the hype? I'll split the difference and go with "both".
Janzen is a good writer, and she can be funny, and moving. However, I found the timing "off" in her delivery. We get it that he left you "for a guy from gay-dot-com named 'Bob'." We got it the very first time even! If we hadn't gotten it the next dozen or so times that it came up in the book, the phrase might've been cute; we did though, and it wasn't. Moreover, Bob is a helluva lot more of a mainstream name than Rhoda, IMHO. For those who think this may have come as a real shock, the author mentions, in passing late in the book, that she knew her husband was bisexual when they married. She mentions repeatedly that her father is "very good looking" and later writes off dating Mennonite men because "they aren't good looking"; I'm not sure I really want to explore that further, but there it was.
Unlike Feroozeh Dumas' memoirs of being Iranian-American, I wasn't so sure that Janzen wasn't inviting the readership to laugh at Mennonite culture, rather than "with" it? The humor in the book seemed forced at times to me - like a vaudevillian terrified of losing his audience, which lessened the impact of the serious stuff she brought up about 3/4 of the way through the book. Introduced earlier, it would've made more of (the intended) impact.
Janzen is a good writer, and she can be funny, and moving. However, I found the timing "off" in her delivery. We get it that he left you "for a guy from gay-dot-com named 'Bob'." We got it the very first time even! If we hadn't gotten it the next dozen or so times that it came up in the book, the phrase might've been cute; we did though, and it wasn't. Moreover, Bob is a helluva lot more of a mainstream name than Rhoda, IMHO. For those who think this may have come as a real shock, the author mentions, in passing late in the book, that she knew her husband was bisexual when they married. She mentions repeatedly that her father is "very good looking" and later writes off dating Mennonite men because "they aren't good looking"; I'm not sure I really want to explore that further, but there it was.
Unlike Feroozeh Dumas' memoirs of being Iranian-American, I wasn't so sure that Janzen wasn't inviting the readership to laugh at Mennonite culture, rather than "with" it? The humor in the book seemed forced at times to me - like a vaudevillian terrified of losing his audience, which lessened the impact of the serious stuff she brought up about 3/4 of the way through the book. Introduced earlier, it would've made more of (the intended) impact.
Rebecka S. (beckasdream) reviewed Mennonite in a Little Black Dress: A Memoir of Going Home on + 82 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 9
I did not care for this book and stopped reading it after a few chapters (something I RARELY do). I have Mennonite relatives and thought it would be neat to read a book to get a better feel for their way of life. Well, after just the first few chapters, the Mennonites in this book are NOTHING like my relatives who are much more conservative. I may have continued to read the book despite that if it had been a good story, but I found the writing annoying - the character would tell one little story and jump to another mini story and back and it drove me nuts. I feel that I wasted the $10 I paid to get this on my Kindle. :(
SALLY W. (thameslink) -
Helpful Score: 7
I had low expectations for this book so I was surprised to find that I chuckled my way through it, enjoying both the laughs and the perception that the author displayed in this memoir. It might not hit the right note with every reader, but it did with this one. Quick, enjoyable read!
Joan L. (silverlakelady) - , reviewed Mennonite in a Little Black Dress: A Memoir of Going Home on + 13 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 5
Was excited to read this one. However, it was a great disappointment. Janzen is not as funny as she thinks she is. She certainly enjoys flaunting her academic background. This book reminds me a lot of Eat. Pray, Love. She and Ms Gilbert have a lot in common. The book jumped around so much it was a little hard to follow. The ending was so abrupt I had to look at it twice. My opinion is don't waste your time.
Ann J. (anncj) reviewed Mennonite in a Little Black Dress: A Memoir of Going Home on + 4 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
Boring... not everyone should write a memoir
Brenda W. - , reviewed Mennonite in a Little Black Dress: A Memoir of Going Home on + 2 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
I bought this book in an airport and laughed out loud on the plane. It was a fun and quick read. I love the author's voice and her outlook on life and love.
Highly recommend.
Highly recommend.
Helpful Score: 3
The title is wonderful and the first chapter is laugh-out-loud funny, but I "abandoned ship" around page 100. I didn't care for the author's voice and, well, don't think I would like her if I met her. She repeats over and over again that she is an academic, yet her writing is somewhat crass. I don't blush at all upon four letter words and use them myself when emotion calls for it. I just felt that they were used for shock value (you wouldn't expect this from someone who was raised Mennonite). I just found it distracting and from her over all theme.
Madge C. (dmconn1) reviewed Mennonite in a Little Black Dress: A Memoir of Going Home on + 234 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
The two reviewers before me said it all with this book. I did not find the book hilarious and was a little taken back with the put down of the Mennonites. The book switched from one story to another at times without any cohesiveness. Not worth a credit in my opinion.
Helpful Score: 2
Excellent book! My daughter has the honor of having Rhoda as her professor. It was neat to read her Memoir and it was laughout loud funny. This is one tough woman who has went through alot.
Beth S. reviewed Mennonite in a Little Black Dress: A Memoir of Going Home on + 13 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
A fast, funny read. She tells the story of the end of her marriage and the start of the next chapter of her life with an original voice. I thought this book was a lot of fun, and I wished it was longer. Definitely recommended!
Nancy A. (Chocoholic) reviewed Mennonite in a Little Black Dress: A Memoir of Going Home on + 291 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
I started to give this book only three stars, because the reading it got really bogged down in the middle towards the end. Thankfully, it picked back up towards the end.
This book is a memoir of an English professor who is injured in a car accident and whose husband subsequently leaves her for a gay man. Yes, the author does use a certain phrase "Bob from Gay.com" quite frequently, but I did not find it annoyingly so.
The book gets sort of preachy and life-affirming in the middle, where I was sorely tempted to put the book down and walk away from it. I am glad that I stuck with it, though, as it is very funny. Certain sections of the book made me laugh out loud.
At the end of the paperback copy is a non-fiction bit about Mennonites and their history and culture and how they differ from other religious groups (the Amish, for example) which is interesting in itself and quite funny too.
Overall, a good read, if slightly preachy.
This book is a memoir of an English professor who is injured in a car accident and whose husband subsequently leaves her for a gay man. Yes, the author does use a certain phrase "Bob from Gay.com" quite frequently, but I did not find it annoyingly so.
The book gets sort of preachy and life-affirming in the middle, where I was sorely tempted to put the book down and walk away from it. I am glad that I stuck with it, though, as it is very funny. Certain sections of the book made me laugh out loud.
At the end of the paperback copy is a non-fiction bit about Mennonites and their history and culture and how they differ from other religious groups (the Amish, for example) which is interesting in itself and quite funny too.
Overall, a good read, if slightly preachy.
Helpful Score: 2
I loved this book...I took it along on a business trip and had it read by the time I came home. It was funny, I laughed out loud several times, recognized both family members and myself. Other passengers commented that they had also read the book and loved it. I passed this to my college aged daughter who then passed to my husband. A real story about family life..includes some recipes. I'm not passing this along here on Paperback as I'm sure there are others in my personal network who needs to read this...get a copy and enjoy!
Cynthia M. (iritnus) reviewed Mennonite in a Little Black Dress: A Memoir of Going Home on + 37 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
I didn't know at the time I started reading this book how fitting it was to read it around Mother's Day. This is a love letter to the author's mother but it is sweet and not sappy at all. I really enjoyed this book. It's a quick read. I learned more about Mennonite believers than I knew before. Good writing. The recipes were a nice touch, but the one I really wanted -- for Zwiebach -- wasn't there.
John S. (Seajack) reviewed Mennonite in a Little Black Dress: A Memoir of Going Home on + 347 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Maybe I'm just sated with the memoir thing? Or, maybe this one really just doesn't quite live up to the hype? I'll split the difference and go with "both".
Janzen is a good writer, and she can be funny, and moving. However, I found the timing "off" in her delivery. We get it that he left you "for a guy from gay-dot-com named 'Bob'." We got it the very first time even! If we hadn't gotten it the next dozen or so times that it came up in the book, the phrase might've been cute; we did though, and it wasn't. Moreover, Bob is a helluva lot more of a mainstream name than Rhoda, IMHO. For those who think this may have come as a real shock, the author mentions, in passing late in the book, that she knew her husband was bisexual when they married. She mentions repeatedly that her father is "very good looking" and later writes off dating Mennonite men because "they aren't good looking"; I'm not sure I really want to explore that further, but there it was.
Unlike Feroozeh Dumas' memoirs of being Iranian-American, I wasn't so sure that Janzen wasn't inviting the readership to laugh at Mennonite culture, rather than "with" it? The humor in the book seemed forced at times to me - like a vaudevillian terrified of losing his audience, which lessened the impact of the serious stuff she brought up about 3/4 of the way through the book. Introduced earlier, it would've made more of (the intended) impact.
Janzen is a good writer, and she can be funny, and moving. However, I found the timing "off" in her delivery. We get it that he left you "for a guy from gay-dot-com named 'Bob'." We got it the very first time even! If we hadn't gotten it the next dozen or so times that it came up in the book, the phrase might've been cute; we did though, and it wasn't. Moreover, Bob is a helluva lot more of a mainstream name than Rhoda, IMHO. For those who think this may have come as a real shock, the author mentions, in passing late in the book, that she knew her husband was bisexual when they married. She mentions repeatedly that her father is "very good looking" and later writes off dating Mennonite men because "they aren't good looking"; I'm not sure I really want to explore that further, but there it was.
Unlike Feroozeh Dumas' memoirs of being Iranian-American, I wasn't so sure that Janzen wasn't inviting the readership to laugh at Mennonite culture, rather than "with" it? The humor in the book seemed forced at times to me - like a vaudevillian terrified of losing his audience, which lessened the impact of the serious stuff she brought up about 3/4 of the way through the book. Introduced earlier, it would've made more of (the intended) impact.
Helpful Score: 2
This book was very disappointing. There was no real plot, and alot of whining. It started out funny, but by the end it was a struggle to even finish it.
Helpful Score: 1
Very entertaining book. Well written & humorous. I passed it on to friends and I want to read her next book.
Kim C. (luxtempo) reviewed Mennonite in a Little Black Dress: A Memoir of Going Home on + 20 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Just a little self absorbed for me. Really, I just don't get what was supposed to be so interesting or compelling about this woman's life.
Not a bad read. She writes well. But at the end, I couldn't figure out what I was supposed to get out of it.
Not a bad read. She writes well. But at the end, I couldn't figure out what I was supposed to get out of it.
Helpful Score: 1
The cover and title alone had me quite excited to read this book, but I was thoroughly disappointed when, upon reading it, it read more like a divorcee's recovery diary than a memoir highlighting her childhood.
Helpful Score: 1
Although the story was OK, not what I expected. I never finished the book, did not peak my interest.
Elizabeth H. (willowandholly) reviewed Mennonite in a Little Black Dress: A Memoir of Going Home on + 56 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I expected this story to delve deeply into the Mennonite life and faith. I was more lighthearted than I thought it would be, but once I realized that, I thoroughly enjoyed the story.
Sharon D. (dulcimer42) reviewed Mennonite in a Little Black Dress: A Memoir of Going Home on + 107 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Rhoda had questioned its facets and left the Mennonite world. But she had remained close to her family. The book is a delightful look upon the "old beliefs," how she still clings to them in her own individual way. When her husband leaves her for Bob, whom he had met on the internet, she uses her faith - although she'd never admit to that - and her Mothers support - which she's laugh about in a loving way - to see her through. I LOVED this book. Rhoda is just SO REAL in her feelings about love, life, marriage, divorce, and just being who you really are. I highly recomment this "fun to read" book.
Helpful Score: 1
Very funny and quirky book! I really enjoyed it and I think that it would appeal to a wide range of readers.
Patricia C. reviewed Mennonite in a Little Black Dress: A Memoir of Going Home on + 3 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Amusing and much better than I thought it would be. Very talented writer. I will look for more of her books.
Judy M. reviewed Mennonite in a Little Black Dress: A Memoir of Going Home on + 59 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
The reason I have not reposted the book is that I told members of our book club about it, so others wanted to borrow it. It has been so popular that it is making the rounds. Very funny and enlightening. We all have loved it.
Helpful Score: 1
I really enjoyed the author's writing and the way she revealed her story. I knew about Mennonite culture, but this book added more to my knowledge. Good to have her brief history of Mennonites and recipes. Very enjoyable. I have recently read I'm perfect, You're doomed; another memoir about growing up in the Jehovah's Witness. Very different style and very different take on life.
Helpful Score: 1
Have to agree with the reader who said that the book just didn't live up to the hype. It was an enjoyable read, there were some funny moments but I just couldn't connect with the author. At the end, she mentions writing this book at the advice of friends to whom she sent emails about her life. That's what reading this book felt like -- that I was reading someone's emails. Sometimes funny, but just missing some emotion.
Sari Lynn G. (sari-lynn) -
Helpful Score: 1
A humorous, lovingly told tale about the author's past, present & future in a Mennonite family. Even as she discusses her disaffection with her past, she never loses respect for the culture she grew up in, and it's clearly still a large part of who she is. A well-written & enjoyable book. Recommended!
Nicole S. reviewed Mennonite in a Little Black Dress: A Memoir of Going Home on + 4 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I had high hopes for this book, but it did not really keep my attention.
Alicia G. -
Helpful Score: 1
This book is laugh-out-loud funny...at least while Janzen is recounting stories from her Mennonite youth and cultural assimilation. I enjoyed learning a bit more about Mennonite culture and history, but unfortunately during the middle section of the book, Janzen takes advantage of the memoir genre by using long patches of text to expound on her personal philosophies of religion, love, and family. I didn't feel like there was enough context to ground her opinions (or make me want to read them). Fortunately, it's a short book and an easy read so it remains enjoyable. Plus, there are recipes!
Darby V. (DawgFoster) reviewed Mennonite in a Little Black Dress: A Memoir of Going Home on + 3 more book reviews
The first half of this book is hysterical. My bed was shaking I was laughing so hard, but it definitely got a bit slow in the back half.
I would still recommend it simply for how entertaining the first half was.
I would still recommend it simply for how entertaining the first half was.
What a beautifully insightful first hand look into Mennonite life. The book provided a VERY humorous yet respectful view of coming to terms with her culture of origin and her life outside the Mennonite community. If you need a diversion from the serious news of the day, this is a trip worth taking.
Cheryl (boomerbooklover) -
I guess you either like this book or you Really don't. I enjoyed it, and found it very funny in places. If you are very religious, you may not agree, but I found it to be a fast, fun read.
Sandi K W. (Sandiinmississippi) reviewed Mennonite in a Little Black Dress: A Memoir of Going Home on + 265 more book reviews
This book didn't hold my interest throughout though there were amusing incidents and turns of phrase. I guess most telling is that it didn't make me want to explore poetry or more books by the same author. Rhoda has a marriage where her husband leaves her to be with another male, a surgical complication, and a car accident so she comes home to her Mennonite mom and dad. What, at first, appears to be a snooty, surface-sophisticated wonderment at Mennonite beliefs and ways, eventually resolves itself and this reader felt she was trying to make small incidents appear large and important in terms of religion and spiritual development. She doesn't spare any peculiarities within her family. By the end of the book I was hoping she'd soon get on her feet and leave these nice people alone. Perhaps her family did too?
Karen S. (jdcountryclipper) reviewed Mennonite in a Little Black Dress: A Memoir of Going Home on + 10 more book reviews
Book was very disappointing. I agree with the other reviewer who stated the it was a put down to the Mennonite community.
Judy H. (crisislady) reviewed Mennonite in a Little Black Dress: A Memoir of Going Home on + 15 more book reviews
The book began really well with very witty and intriguing writing. By the middle of the book, it all bogged down and I kept waiting for it to pick up again. Frankly don't really remember how it ended though I did make it to the end.
Brycen E. (xyza) reviewed Mennonite in a Little Black Dress: A Memoir of Going Home on + 35 more book reviews
I loved this book from start to end. I laughed out loud the whole way. There were bits that were so funny I had to stop reading and laugh myself silly over.
Sarah A. (sla506) -
This book was fantastic. I'm usually leery of memoirs, but this is one of the best I've read, and I have never laughed aloud so much when reading a book. I actually put off reading this book for a long time and almost decided to get rid of it before reading it. I am so glad that I didn't do that! In addition to her hilarious story-telling (she has a tremendous sense of humor), I felt like she had a lot of profound observations. And, learning about the Mennonite culture was really interesting. Some of her experiences are really unique, but I found I could relate to her nonetheless. I'll definitely revisit this one in the future.
Jennifer P. reviewed Mennonite in a Little Black Dress: A Memoir of Going Home on + 2 more book reviews
Incredible, amazing, funny, endearing. A must-read!
Dianne E. (Dizzy) reviewed Mennonite in a Little Black Dress: A Memoir of Going Home on + 24 more book reviews
There are parts of this book that made me laugh out loud. If coarse language really bothers you, this book might not be for you. There is a little bit in their. I thought she was very funny in telling her life story.
Elana B. reviewed Mennonite in a Little Black Dress: A Memoir of Going Home on + 7 more book reviews
Not the worst book I've ever read but pretty close. I wasn't expecting a masterpiece but this had neither a plot nor a point. I should have stopped halfway through but I kept hoping it would go somewhere.
Michelle H. (mhighfill) reviewed Mennonite in a Little Black Dress: A Memoir of Going Home on + 95 more book reviews
I did not enjoy this book. I felt that the author spendt the entire book and all her energy mocking the Mennonite faith. Every trait of the Mennonite faith was made to appear idiotic and unreasonable. I wondered if the author truly had experience as a Mennonite and if she did, could she not find anything positive---such as their desire for peace and non-resistance, their desire to not be caught up in consumerism, and their striving to live a simple life. In fact, isn't that what most of Americans claim to be searching and striving toward? If she feels the Mennonite faith traditions are so ridiculous---why did she not explain the original intention of their traditions and where she feels they have fallen short. Instead, she spends the entire book attacking Mennonites in an offensive manner. I am not mennonite, but I understand enough of their traditions to know that even though they are not perfect, they are also not freaks.
Beckie A. reviewed Mennonite in a Little Black Dress: A Memoir of Going Home on + 5 more book reviews
A witty, enjoyable read.
Holly H. (hharris) reviewed Mennonite in a Little Black Dress: A Memoir of Going Home on + 46 more book reviews
This is a guick entertaining read. Nonfiction. Good diction. I should have looked up some words, but couldn't put down to get out the dictionary. Her background gives reasons to her odd adulthood. The family is very fun. Rhoda has a great sense of humor. Learning about the Mennonite history and people is interesting too.
Joyce S. reviewed Mennonite in a Little Black Dress: A Memoir of Going Home on + 8 more book reviews
It starts off cute and funny and than gets boring.
Sarah G. -
It was funny at times, but I didn't love it. I was really interested in finishing the book. I just did.
Elaine G. reviewed Mennonite in a Little Black Dress: A Memoir of Going Home on + 2 more book reviews
Enjoyed reading
Carrie W. reviewed Mennonite in a Little Black Dress: A Memoir of Going Home on + 4 more book reviews
very good book, first I read from this author, plan to read some more of her books, actually laughed out loud several times while reading, would definitely recommend
Jessica D. reviewed Mennonite in a Little Black Dress: A Memoir of Going Home on + 5 more book reviews
This woman is hysterical and I love the way she writes. Her anecdotes kill me.
John S. (Seajack) reviewed Mennonite in a Little Black Dress: A Memoir of Going Home on + 347 more book reviews
Maybe I'm just sated with the memoir thing? Or, maybe this one really just doesn't quite live up to the hype? I'll split the difference and go with "both".
Janzen is a good writer, and she can be funny, and moving. However, I found the timing "off" in her delivery. We get it that he left you "for a guy from gay-dot-com named 'Bob'." We got it the very first time even! If we hadn't gotten it the next dozen or so times that it came up in the book, the phrase might've been cute; we did though, and it wasn't. Moreover, Bob is a helluva lot more of a mainstream name than Rhoda, IMHO. For those who think this may have come as a real shock, the author mentions, in passing late in the book, that she knew her husband was bisexual when they married. She mentions repeatedly that her father is "very good looking" and later writes off dating Mennonite men because "they aren't good looking"; I'm not sure I really want to explore that further, but there it was.
Unlike Feroozeh Dumas' memoirs of being Iranian-American, I wasn't so sure that Janzen wasn't inviting the readership to laugh at Mennonite culture, rather than "with" it? The humor in the book seemed forced at times to me - like a vaudevillian terrified of losing his audience, which lessened the impact of the serious stuff she brought up about 3/4 of the way through the book. Introduced earlier, it would've made more of (the intended) impact.
I was curious how her husband managed to get such a swell job just before they split, with his horrific employment background? That just didn't add up for me. I can fully understand her co-dependency with such a textbook narcissist.
I'd recommend the book - the audio narrator was quite good at delivering the material she'd had to work with - but, I wouldn't go out of my way to get a copy either. The Mennonite girl whose husband left her for a guy named Bob from gay-dot-com isn't quite as much of a hook as that might seem at first.
Janzen is a good writer, and she can be funny, and moving. However, I found the timing "off" in her delivery. We get it that he left you "for a guy from gay-dot-com named 'Bob'." We got it the very first time even! If we hadn't gotten it the next dozen or so times that it came up in the book, the phrase might've been cute; we did though, and it wasn't. Moreover, Bob is a helluva lot more of a mainstream name than Rhoda, IMHO. For those who think this may have come as a real shock, the author mentions, in passing late in the book, that she knew her husband was bisexual when they married. She mentions repeatedly that her father is "very good looking" and later writes off dating Mennonite men because "they aren't good looking"; I'm not sure I really want to explore that further, but there it was.
Unlike Feroozeh Dumas' memoirs of being Iranian-American, I wasn't so sure that Janzen wasn't inviting the readership to laugh at Mennonite culture, rather than "with" it? The humor in the book seemed forced at times to me - like a vaudevillian terrified of losing his audience, which lessened the impact of the serious stuff she brought up about 3/4 of the way through the book. Introduced earlier, it would've made more of (the intended) impact.
I was curious how her husband managed to get such a swell job just before they split, with his horrific employment background? That just didn't add up for me. I can fully understand her co-dependency with such a textbook narcissist.
I'd recommend the book - the audio narrator was quite good at delivering the material she'd had to work with - but, I wouldn't go out of my way to get a copy either. The Mennonite girl whose husband left her for a guy named Bob from gay-dot-com isn't quite as much of a hook as that might seem at first.
Donetta M. (dmoorecna) reviewed Mennonite in a Little Black Dress: A Memoir of Going Home on + 5 more book reviews
What a great read!!!
Annette S. (annette-s) reviewed Mennonite in a Little Black Dress: A Memoir of Going Home on + 49 more book reviews
Mennonite in a Little Black Dress by Rhoda Janzen is hilarious. The book is written with wicked humor that will have anyone laughing out loud. Mennonite in a Little Black Dress is a memoir about Rhoda returning to her quirky Mennonite family after her husband of fifteen years left her (for another man), and shortly thereafter she was involved in a serious car accident. In the book she delves into her relationships with men, parents, her siblings, and food. If you're looking for a lighthearted book and a good laugh, this is it. See more book reviews at readinginthegarden.blogspot.com
Clare B. (ClareS) reviewed Mennonite in a Little Black Dress: A Memoir of Going Home on + 87 more book reviews
Very funny. Thoughtful.
Kathy S. reviewed Mennonite in a Little Black Dress: A Memoir of Going Home on + 16 more book reviews
Good reading, especially for those of us descended from Mennonites.
Lynda C. (Readnmachine) reviewed Mennonite in a Little Black Dress: A Memoir of Going Home on + 1479 more book reviews
After suffering the twin blows of an imploding marriage and severe injuries in an auto accident, a woman returns to her hometown and Mennonite family for a healing sabbatical. During the process, she views her childhood, her family, and herself with humor and increasing insight.
