So, I recently finished this novel, and it was actually very beautiful...
This book follows a broken Canadian Mennonite family. It consists of the protagonist, Naomi, her father, mother, and older sister. A few years prior to the story taking place, Naomi's sister and mother leave after being excommunicated from their church and community. The book then focuses on the life of Naomi, the youngest, as she attempts to navigate her adolescent years without them.
For anyone who may be unaware, Mennonites are a religious sect, similar to that of the Amish. However, Mennonites are more "tolerant" when it comes to man-made creations, such as electricity, cars, and music and TV. While there may be more tolerance in those areas, Mennonites deem many things as sinful, and it is actually one of the themes that the novel explores: how the constant threat of Hell can affect a person.
"She said tell Nomi you're sorry. ... Ask her to forgive you ... You've scared the shit right out of her, Hans. Tell her you're sorry. Tell her! Tell her it's not true. Tell her they are stories. You know nothing about love, nothing."
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In fact, it is why the entire story unfolds in the first place: Naomi's older sister, Tash, and her mother, Trudie, are excommunicated due to their sinful ways. Tash begins dating, drinking, and driving into the city. Meanwhile, their mother -- we are left to interpret that her entire crime was false, for an ex-lover accused her of extramarital affairs.
"'Whatever you say to refute my statements will not be believed, trust me. You have a reputation in this town as being crazy ... and your words are worthless.'"
So, from the ages of 13 to her current age of 16, Naomi grows up without half of her family, completely confused and left in the dark as to why they left. Losing one's family is traumatic enough, but losing them during one of the most troubling and isolating times of one's life -- puberty and adolescence -- is even more deliberating. Therefore, there is a very depressing vibe throughout...
However, I really enjoyed the relationship between Naomi and her father. It is very reminiscent of my own relationship with my father, a relationship that many girls experience with their dads: a constant quiet, wordless understanding. My dad was never an emotional person, but he was always sure to show he cared in his own way.
"Dad, don't think I'm not saluting you when I'm not saluting you. And then I scuffed it out with my foot before anybody could see it."
In the end, Naomi is also excommunicated for her rebellious behaviors -- skipping school and dressing provocatively. Despite the fact Naomi always refused to abandon her father, it is her father who leaves her... yet, for that very reason. He recognized that so long as he remained, Naomi would never have a life of her own. So, he leaves, and also leaves her their home and her own car.
"I meant to thank you to my father for, in the midst of his own multitude of crap and bewilderment, knowing one true thing. That I would never have left him, and that if I were ever to get out of that town, he would have to leave first."
I thought it was a very beautiful book... I have struggled with my Christian faith for many years, and similar to this book, I have found some institutions to be more harmful to the faith than beneficial. I was atheist for a period of time for this reason.
However, centering faith around the fear of damnation is not right, and there are many people who either leave, or refuse to explore their faith further because of it. I'm glad that the novel chose to dive deeper into the problem.
"I whispered to her that I didn't want her to go to hell, and she started laughing and said hell was a metaphor. ... I was convinced that my sister was going down. God is love, Nomi, she said to me. That's all you need to know, man. God is love."
(Source: https://dianemarkey920.medium.com/who-are-you-that-god-should-love-you-a215a979d0f0)