Why read Mennonite in a Little Black Dress?

Book cover of Mennonite in a Little Black Dress: A Memoir of Going Home

Book description

"It is rare that I literally laugh out loud while I'm reading, but Janzen's voice―singular, deadpan, sharp-witted and honest―slayed me." ―Elizabeth Gilbert, author of Eat, Pray, Love

Not long after Rhoda Janzen turned forty, her world turned upside down. It was bad enough that her husband of fifteen years left…

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Why read it?

2 authors picked Mennonite in a Little Black Dress as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Alvin Schnupp

Author

A fun, insightful, humorous revelation about a celebrated poet who returns to her conservative home and examines the people and ideas that shaped her. I identify with this book because I, too, was raised Mennonite. In addition. The protagonist of my book is a Mennonite.

From Alvin's list on The best books about women artists and activists.

Janelle Diller

Author

This is a long way from Peace Shall Destroy Many and is a bit dangerous to even recommend. When I read it, I laughed out loud and shook my head at the familiar denominational references. I also shook my head because Janzen had grown up Mennonite, did all the Mennonite rites of passage, and even had a father who was a Mennonite minister, but ultimately, she didn’t really get the theology. Oddly enough, that’s why I’m including the book on my list. Her lack of “getting it” is reflective of a lot of people I know in the denomination—every denomination…

From Janelle's list on The best and most eclectic books about those quirky Mennonites.