A Fascinating journey into the heart and culture of a reclusive religious community.
I Am Hutterite takes readers into the hidden heart of the little-known Hutterite colony in southern Manitoba where author Mary-Ann Kirkby spent her childhood. When she was ten years old her parents packed up their seven children and a handful of possessions and left the security of the colony to start a new … security of the colony to start a new life. Overnight they were thrust into a world they didn’t understand, a world that did not understand them.
Before she left the colony Mary-Ann had never tasted macaroni and cheese or ridden a bike. She had never heard of Walt Disney or rock-and-roll. She was forced to reinvent herself, denying her heritage to fit in with her peers. With great humor, Kirkby describes how she adapted to popular culture; and with raw honesty her family’s deep sense of loss for their community. More than a history lesson, I Am Hutterite is a powerful tale of retracing steps and understanding how our beginnings often define us.
Controversial and acclaimed by the Hutterite community, Kirkby’s book unveils the rich history and traditions of her people, giving us a rare and intimate portrait of an extraordinary way of life.
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I honestly expected this book would be like so many books about strict religious groups. I thought it would be about someone who left the group and had only bitter memories. However, I knew nothing about Hutterites and wanted to learn more. I was very pleasantly surprised. The author is a woman whose family left a branch of the group when she was …
This was a religion unknown to me. Interesting and sweet
I enjoyed getting a glimpse inside a community I’m familiar with but not privy to the intimate inner workings. This book takes you to so many different emotional places on the authors journey. I thorough enjoyed this book & admire the author her courage.
Have visited a Hutterite colony in Canada so was interested to see if the author told what we learned when there.
I loved it.
Loved this book
I am aware of Amish traditions, and those of Quakers and Moravians because of exposure to people of these belief systems. Hutterite was new for me – but I could relate the separation of the sexes in the community, the strongly ascribed roles and how the community was the core upon which each individual’s efforts were shaped. Beautiful …
Great insight on a not so well known group of people in the United States.
The book was not as informative as I had hoped. Although the author did provide some insight into the way the Hutterites lived, it was not as detailed as I had hoped.
Great insight into Hutterite community culture. Respectful of all sides
A book about someone who left her community who actually enjoyed her childhood and her family and culture. A story that doesn’t often get told.
I found it very interesting to have a peek into the lives and beliefs of a religious organization I knew little about until I read this book .I liked the way it was written in a non-judge mental way.
Interesting, informative regarding the author’s experience in growing up in a religious colony and the experiences when her family left the colony. Her style made me feel like I was there.
Very interesting!
Excellent read about a culture I had never heard of before. I am familiar with Amish and Mennonites, and to learn of a third sect born out of the Anabaptist movement was most interesting. Author did an excellent job addressing many of the practices of this unique group, as well as, in what I believe was a tactful approach, dealt with some of the …
I like books which introduce me to a new world and the people who inhabit it, this book does that admirably. I had heard of the Hutterites but knew little about their beliefs and lifestyle, all of which are introduced in a real-life way in this book. I would very much like to read additional books by this author, as well as additional books in …
This book was informative but I can’t say it left a great impression on me.
Actually did not finish reading this book as it got quite boring. Their life also seemed quite boring, so since this was not a fictional book, there was nothing to make it even interesting reading after a few chapters.
A page turner. At first, the Hutterite lifestyle sounds idyllic from a child’s point of view. But as the author becomes more aware of the politics in the community as she grows older, the scarier it becomes.
This book was most informative about the Hutterites. The family was very brave in leaving the Hutterites, and the story moves along and keeps you interested to the end.