A Complicated Kindness
Book (2019)
by Miriam Toews
From the author of Women Talking—now an Academy Award-winning film starring Claire Foy, Rooney Mara, Frances McDormand, and Jessie Buckley
“Half of our family, the better–looking half, is missing,” Nomi Nickel tells us at the beginning of A Complicated Kindness. Left alone with her sad, peculiar father, her days are spent piecing together why her mother and sister have disappeared and contemplating her inevitable career at Happy Family Farms, a chicken slaughterhouse on the outskirts of East Village. Not the East Village in New York City where Nomi would prefer to live, but an oppressive town founded by Mennonites on the cold, flat plains of Manitoba, Canada.
This darkly funny novel is the world according to the unforgettable Nomi, a bewildered and wry sixteen–year–old trapped in a town governed by fundamentalist religion and in the shattered remains of a family it destroyed. In Nomi's droll, refreshing voice, we're told the story of an eccentric, loving family that falls apart as each member lands on a collision course with the only community any of them have ever known. A work of fierce humor and tragedy by a writer who has taken the American market by storm, this searing, tender, comic testament to family love will break your heart.
Book (2019)
by Miriam Toews
From the author of Women Talking—now an Academy Award-winning film starring Claire Foy, Rooney Mara, Frances McDormand, and Jessie Buckley
“Half of our family, the better–looking half, is missing,” Nomi Nickel tells us at the beginning of A Complicated Kindness. Left alone with her sad, peculiar father, her days are spent piecing together why her mother and sister have disappeared and contemplating her inevitable career at Happy Family Farms, a chicken slaughterhouse on the outskirts of East Village. Not the East Village in New York City where Nomi would prefer to live, but an oppressive town founded by Mennonites on the cold, flat plains of Manitoba, Canada.
This darkly funny novel is the world according to the unforgettable Nomi, a bewildered and wry sixteen–year–old trapped in a town governed by fundamentalist religion and in the shattered remains of a family it destroyed. In Nomi's droll, refreshing voice, we're told the story of an eccentric, loving family that falls apart as each member lands on a collision course with the only community any of them have ever known. A work of fierce humor and tragedy by a writer who has taken the American market by storm, this searing, tender, comic testament to family love will break your heart.
What to know before you start
Content details to help you decide what fits your child.
Sex & Nudity
The story involves teenage romantic exploration and discovery, with some suggestive dialogue regarding relationships and the restrictive nature of the community's views on intimacy.
Violence & Gore
There is no graphic violence, but the setting involves a chicken slaughterhouse, which creates an undercurrent of industrial-scale animal processing that some viewers may find unsettling.
Profanity
The dialogue features a rebellious teenage tone with moderate usage of words such as 'sh*t', 'f*ck', and 'b*tch' to express frustration with the repressive environment.
Alcohol, Drugs & Smoking
The protagonist and her peers engage in underage drinking and illicit drug use as a means of escaping the stifling, fundamentalist environment of their small town.
Frightening Scenes
The narrative deals with heavy psychological themes of family abandonment, religious trauma, and the crushing pressure of a dogmatic society, which may be emotionally intense for younger viewers.
Key Insights
Quick summary and important considerations
This story is about a teenager finding her own path and voice while dealing with the difficult changes and religious expectations within her small town.
Content Warnings
Detailed Analysis
In-depth insights for parents and educators
What Parents Need to Know
The story deals with heavy, emotional subject matter regarding the psychological toll of strict religious environments and the disintegration of a family unit.
What Kids Can Learn
Youth can develop a deeper understanding of how institutional pressure affects personal growth and the value of maintaining an independent viewpoint.
Key Topics Discussed
Why Parents Might Like It
It offers a sophisticated, darkly comedic look at the struggle for self-definition against the backdrop of rigid community norms.
Positives & learning
Positive messages
Emphasizes the importance of individual identity and critical thinking when navigating high-pressure, dogmatic environments.
Role models
Nomi displays resilient wit and self-awareness, though her coping mechanisms are grounded in cynicism and detachment rather than traditional virtuous behavior.
Representation
Provides an authentic exploration of Mennonite subculture, highlighting the internal tension between communal tradition and individual autonomy.
Learning
Offers insights into sociology, the dynamics of religious fundamentalism, and the complexities of human grief and family breakdown.
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