Irma Voth - Softcover

Toews, Miriam

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0571273564 ISBN 13: 9780571273560

Publisher: Faber & Faber, 2012

Synopsis

The stifling, reclusive life of nineteen-year-old Irma Voth, recently married, and more recently deserted is turned on its head when a film crew moves in to make a movie about the strict religious community, in which she lives. When she clashes with her domineering father over her work as a translator for the crew, Irma is set on a path towards something that feels like freedom. Along with her younger sister Aggie, wise beyond her teenage years, she hits the road and flees to the city. Upheld only by their love for each other and their smart wit, the sisters finally gain the distance to understand the tragedy that has their family in its grip. "Irma Voth" delves into the complicated factors that set us on the road to self-discovery and how we can sometimes find the strength to endure the really hard things that happen. It also asks that most difficult of questions: How do we forgive? And most importantly, how do we forgive ourselves?.

About this title

Review:

'Funny and skilfully drawn, this novel shows the real appeal of tales set in unknown communities.' --Guardian

'Strong and skilful novel ... the writing is rich with oddball observations and arresting images ... Irma Voth is a parable of redemption, a powerful and favourite theme in literature since the New Testament, traceable through thousands of literary works that leave the reader with a comforting glow of hope.' --Annie Proulx, Financial Times

'Toews's writing is beautifully assured, and what could be a heartbreaking journey is filled with humour and quirky observations. This moving book ends in redemption for Irma and for the reader as well.' --Irish Times

'Toews . . . is clearly an artistic powerhouse. . . . In this compelling and beautiful novel, Toews's quirky and authentic voice shows increasing range and maturity. She is well on her way to fulfilling her promise as an important and serious writer.'

-- The Gazette

'There is something quite mesmerizing about Toews's prose. It's to do with the rhythm of her language, with the seeming effortlessness of it and, when combined with her quick, offhand wit, it can enliven even the darkest of moments.' -- Toronto Star

'Elegant, insightful writing with a dark psychological edge.' --Red Magazine

"Toews . . . is clearly an artistic powerhouse. . . . In this compelling and beautiful novel, Toews's quirky and authentic voice shows increasing range and maturity. She is well on her way to fulfilling her promise as an important and serious writer."
--"The Gazette"

"There is something quite mesmerizing about Toews's prose. It's to do with the rhythm of her language, with the seeming effortlessness of it and, when combined with her quick, offhand wit, it can enliven even the darkest of moments."
"-- Toronto Star"

"Toews's ability to generate comedy and heartache at the same time just soars."
"-- Maclean's"

"Irma Voth is wryly funny and perceptive."
"-- National Post"

"It is beautiful, strange, and fascinating, and readers wise enough to trust in the author's sure hand will be rewarded with a novel that takes them someplace altogether unexpected."
-- Kerry Clare, "Quill & Quire"

"A beautiful, heartbreaking novel. . . . Calls to mind Ann-Marie MacDonald's 1996 epic, Fall On Your Knees."
"-- Winnipeg Free Press"

"A stunning culture clash between the Mennonite and art communities. . . . The internal conflict over when to reveal hard information, in life or in art, is one of Toews's key themes. A sequence about how it feels to tell the truth is a knockout."
" --NOW (Toronto)

'Elegant, insightful writing with a dark psychological edge.' --Red Magazine

Book Description:

Irma Voth by Miriam Toews is a critically acclaimed story of love, longing, and dark family secrets from one of Canada's most-loved authors.

About this edition

• Publisher: Faber & Faber
• Publication date: 2012
• ISBN 10: 0571273564
• ISBN 13: 9780571273560
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 272