Mennonite Meets Mr. Right: A Memoir Of Faith, Hope, And Love (2013) - Plot & Excerpts
Urgh, Rhoda, WHY? I guess I should start my review by stating that I am not a religious or spiritual person. I am definitely not an atheist by any means, but reading about someone's journey to faith is about the last thing I would want to do. I loved Rhoda's first book, Mennonite in a Little Black Dress. In her first novel, I immediately empathized with Rhoda and fell in love with her story. I liked that she was a professor in my home state and I loved her style of writing. I found her sense of humor really resonated with m, and was the right touch to transform her first novel from self-pitying to hilarious and insightful. I enjoyed her first story, reading about her failed first marriage, her accident and mostly, her family. Because her first book did deal LIGHTLY with religion, and I knew I liked her writing style, I thought when I picked up this book that I wouldn't be able to put it down. Boy, was I wrong.The beginning of this book is strong; Rhoda doesn't seem to be changed much in her actions, thoughts or spirituality from the first book. She speaks about teaching and meeting her soon-to-be husband in a voice that was very familiar to me. When Rhoda was diagnosed with cancer, she led me through the process in a way that made me want to read more. I even thoroughly enjoyed her first few trips to Mitch's church and the worshipers that seemed to "sense" Rhoda's diagnosis. Then, it all changes. Out of the blue, Rhoda's very aggressive cancer "disappears" and she is healed by the power of faith? I thought this was supposed to be a memoir? I was so disappointed that she just left this entire part out of the novel. I wanted to know what really happened with her sickness! One chapter, she's talking about her chemo sores and treatment and then the next, she's cured and only wants to talk about the benefits of a "Christian Marriage". Almost everything after Rhoda's remission is related to god, worship and building a marriage around the lord. I'm glad that Rhoda found her faith and her way back into religion, but I would have much rather read about her recovery and her relationships with her new husband and son and of course, her Mennonite family. This book was incredibly disappointing - I promised myself that I would finish it but I just couldn't get myself there. Sorry, Rhoda. I loved Ms. Janzen's first memoir, Mennonite in a Little Black Dress. And so it was a no-brainer to pick up her second one. I was especially happy to see her find real love after her first disastrous marriage and how long it took for her to pick up the pieces of her life. And it was lovely to see that and she was funny as usual, but I was surprised by how religious the book was. I know, the word "Mennonite" in the title should have clued me in but the first book also had that word in the title and it wasn't really religious.Rhoda meets Mitch, who is kind of her opposite. She's a college professor, and he's a burly guy who drives a truck and doesn't strike me as being much of a reader. Yet, they're perfect together in a yin-yang sort of way. He's crazy-supportive when she's diagnosed with breast cancer. They deal with moving in together, with his cranky elderly father who lives with them, and his teenage son, with humor and sense. And yet, he's a Pentecostal and Rhoda starts going to his church and starts getting her faith back. And while I'm glad for her if that's what makes her happy, it's not my favorite thing to read about.Now, I think this may be my fault. Because I enjoyed her first book so much, I really didn't read the description for this book. And the word "faith" in the subtitle was the real clue. Luckily, the book is still terrifically written, wryly funny, and brutally honest like her first memoir. If you don't mind a little religion in your memoir, you will love this book.
What do You think about Mennonite Meets Mr. Right: A Memoir Of Faith, Hope, And Love (2013)?
More serious and faith oriented than her first book, but still a good read.
—liliy
I liked this book FAR better than Mennonite in a Little Black Dress.
—jake
Should you read this? Yes, yes you should.
—dev
Thumbs up...thought provoking and funny.
—Thedancingface
