Complicated is definitely the word to describe Miriam Teows' A Complicated Kindness. When I opened the bright pink cover I was expecting a quiet, mild story, maybe dealing with issues like social relationships or something. I was not expecting the defiant, restless Nomi Nickel. I was surprised by Nomi's language and actions and my eyes bulged when Nomi suggested that "Menno was on a cough-syrup binge when he drew up these lists of dos and don'ts" (p 13) that she called "Menno's shitlist" (p15), although I have to admit I was laughing too.
The entire book is kind of depressing. Nomi even refers to herself as a "sad, cynical pothead" (p 32). She does drugs, smokes, drinks, swears, mouths off, and runs through fields naked. Definitely not the kind of character I was expecting a Mennonite novelist to create.
However, the book does seem to address some of the same questions that Peace Shall Destroy Many addresses. While PSDM more specifically addresses the issue of Mennonite nonviolence in the midst of war, it also addresses Thom's feelings of unease about the over-conservative rules of the church and the Deacon. What do you do when you know that the church is wrong? This is the same question proposed in A Complicated Kindness. Nomi's sister, Tash, realizes that the church is wrong and her frustration causes her to leave. And when Nomi runs to Trudie with nightmares about Tash going to hell we see that Trudie doesn't quite believe everything her brother has to say either. Tash, Trudie, and eventually, Nomi, are excommunicated from the church. Only Ray seems to remain faithful. And while it is Tash and Trudie's departures that seem to tear everything apart for Ray and Nomi, I believe it all stems from their issues with the church. Toward the end of the book, when Nomi is reflecting on why Ray left, she says "that's what people around here are forced to do if they aren't strong enough to live without some kind of faith or strong enough to make a stand and change an entire system or overthrow a church. And who of us are that strong anyway? Not the Nickels, that's for sure" (p. 241). They realize that the church is wrong and its rules are ridiculous but the church has the power in a small, closed off town like East Village so they leave, one by one, as they become aware of this and react to it in their own way. But in the end we are left wondering if Nomi actually leaves. If she does, she may never see her family, but I don't think they will return to East Village anyway. Tash, Trudie, and Ray each found a way out of town, but does Nomi?
I felt very curious by the ambiguous ending as well. Does Nomi stay? Does she find a way out? Or does her family eventually reunite after several months or years? It would be so interesting to talk to Toews and see if she has her own idea of what happens.
ReplyDeleteI'd also be curious to see if any readers of this book were offended in similar ways as to "Peace Shall Destroy Many." Like PSDM, this novel reveals some troubles within the Mennonite community. Of course, this novel also has deeper familial issues attached to it, but I wonder if some would be offended by Nomi's openly-bashing stance on her community.
I would think that just as many people, if not more, would be offended by A Complicated Kindness because of the way Teows portrays the town in general. It seems like most of the town (the youth anyway) are in disarray.
ReplyDeleteWell, you all raise some really interesting points in your discussion. There is over 40 years' difference between PSDM and ACK. When Rudy Wiebe published his first novel, there were still church leaders in Canada who spoke German better than English! By the time Miriam Toews published ACK, there had been over 40 years of Mennonite literature in Canada, and some really pioneering and "out there" women writers like Di Brandt who had already scandalized the community. Mennonite readers had had several generations to become sophisticated readers. So in some ways ACK is far more scandalous than PSDM, but Mennonites have also changed a lot since PSDM was written. We watch movies, and go to college, and listen to pop music, and own computers--the world has changed!
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