100 Memoirs - Latest Comments

Re: Boy, Did I Love Lucy: A Mini-Memoir

Tmm2d — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 16:30:06 -0000

I remember when our neighbors got the first color TV in our lower-middle class neigborhood...we saw the Wizard of Oz in color (I was about four years old) but it made in impact on me. We never were allowed to have the TV on during meal times which forced us all to get to know each other...or be lectured to :-)...I don't have anything against TV but I am selective on what I watch now but I really get a lump in my throat when I see some of the old "leave to Beaver" or "father knows best" shows...was life really like that????

Re: Laura Bush Memoir Book Deal Illustrates Recession?

shirleyhs — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 20:40:20 -0000

Since Sarah Palin got $5 million for her memoir, the industry does not appear to have moved completely away from the big advance.

But it is probably safe to assume that Laura will not be suffering financially. It will be interesting to see if she dishes on anyone. She seems constitutionally unable to do that. Good for her.

Re: Mennonite in a Little Black Dress: An “Old Mennonite” Review

shirleyhs — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 20:36:34 -0000

Thanks, Maria, for adding these thoughts. Your observation about the value of the most personal sections of the book ring true to me. In the memoir genre the reader expects access to the author's inner life. The last chapter does this best of all, in my opinion.

Re: Mennonite in a Little Black Dress: An “Old Mennonite” Review

shirleyhs — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 20:25:39 -0000

Si Janzen would be proud of you. Library books are second only to coupons! Let me know what you think of the book after you read it.

Re: Mennonite in a Little Black Dress: An “Old Mennonite” Review

shirleyhs — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 20:20:31 -0000

Yes, Ann! I can only imagine the lively conversations book groups could have with this issue. I recognized the analysis of Mennonite patriarchy in the book too, especially in the portraits of her father and the discussion of in-bred passivity on the part of women and girls. And clearly part of the healing story is the self-recognition of the her own passivity. I was glad she described one reality (sexism) and balanced it with another --the character of Eva--one of the very best things in the book. The deepest self-reflection Janzen does comes in the last chapter with the introduction of Eva and the recognition that Eva came from the same (patriarchal) culture but somehow developed a calm self-assurance that the author appreciates and perhaps envies a little. Eva keeps the book rooted. She and her family are in fact not only the "road not taken" for Janzen but perhaps harbingers of the road ahead.

Re: Mennonite in a Little Black Dress: An “Old Mennonite” Review

mariapwr — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 22:54:56 -0000

I actually felt that Janzen was at her best when she was telling the stories about herself and her ex-husband (and was not talking as much about Mennonite stuff). Those stories felt incredibly raw, straight, retained the humor, and were very compelling. By contrast, I felt that her commentaries on her re-entry into the Mennonite culture very quickly got cutesy and farfetched, and she seemed to be trying too hard. But maybe that is because I am reading this from my own Mennonite perspective. Would be interesting to hear how non-Menno's are reacting to the book.

I am glad that Shirley pointed out the Mennonite Brethren issue. In reading the book I found myself somewhat disappointed reading descriptions of "Mennonites" that felt quite foreign from my own Mennonite experience. Surely part of that is the fact that she is from the Mennonite Brethren tradition which has its differences from the Mennonite Church-USA.

But it was a truly fun read and I thoroughly enjoyed it!

Re: Mennonite in a Little Black Dress: An “Old Mennonite” Review

babsland — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 15:31:02 -0000

I saw this book and requested our local library to obtain it so I could read it without buying it (how very menno of me, eh?; for some reason when I saw it, I think I intuited many of the things you wrote about, although I am sure I could never have articulated it as clearly as you. I am still looking forward to reading it....now, if I could just figure out how to market my own "Mennoniteness" for personal gain...hmmm....

Re: Mennonite in a Little Black Dress: An “Old Mennonite” Review

ann_hostetler — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 15:09:10 -0000

Shirley, thanks for this wincingly honest and incisive review. You've brought the full layers of your experience as reader, writer, and Mennonite college president to it! I also appreciate your laying out the MB/MC distinction. Mennonite writers will be able to go into deeper territory because of Rhoda's book, and your critical reading will help readers better understand the complexity of adopting a "Mennonite" label. One thing I think she gets at that I haven't seen elsewhere--and she doesn't outright say it--is the way that feminine passivity that has been so deeply bred into (some) Mennonite women that they can't even recognize it as a liability in an abusive relationship. Her father the Mennonite pope, her mother the always cheerful nurse . . . and the obedient daughter turned tongue-in-cheek memoirist after the marriage implodes. This, I think, would be interesting to explore in a book group.

Re: Mennonite in a Little Black Dress: An “Old Mennonite” Review

shirleyhs — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 14:29:57 -0000

Perhaps there is a built-in tension between the kind of exaggeration required of humor and the "truth" test for the label of memoir??

Thanks for this comment. I had not thought of this problem in exactly this way before. I want to think about it more.

I confess to being a fan of gentle humor--Garrison Keillor's type. He may flirt with sentimentality at times, but I would rather risk that flaw than the other one--inflicting pain--especially on my family. On the other hand, I walked that tightrope myself with "My Mother's Pulpit" because my dear mother did not read that story until after it was published. Readers, and subjects, sense whether a portrait was written for the author's sake alone or whether there is concern for the subject also. Is love present under the critique or exaggerated portrait?

Janzen usually gets this right. But there were times I felt sorry for family members, especially when they were being judged solely on matters of taste.

Re: Mennonite in a Little Black Dress: An “Old Mennonite” Review

Chelsea — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 12:47:32 -0000

I also really liked the portrait of her mother--and the appendix! So hard to say about accuracy in these kinds of things--there were definitely some things that I found hard to believe. That happens to me with David Sedaris, too. I try to just forget about that aspect.

I like the idea of being so honest you are the antagonist as well as the protagonist.

Re: Save Yourself the Cost of the Sarah Palin Memoir: Read Great Kakutani Review in New York Times

shirleyhs — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 11:13:17 -0000

Sandy, thanks for the comment. It's great to see you here. Sonia, you are such a faithful reader. I can't imagine how much time you spend blogging if you are as generous with all your many followers as you are with me. Thanks, both of you. And isn't it amazing how much attention this book is getting? Here in west Michigan, she created a big scene at her Grand Rapids book signing.

Re: Save Yourself the Cost of the Sarah Palin Memoir: Read Great Kakutani Review in New York Times

alittlesandy — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:02:51 -0000

Thanks for pointing me to a great review! And thanks also for telling readers to save their money, lol.

Re: Save Yourself the Cost of the Sarah Palin Memoir: Read Great Kakutani Review in New York Times

Gutsywriter — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:46:04 -0000

I just read the article and after seeing the interview on Oprah, I've heard the book and don't need to buy it. I AGREE with not having to buy the book. Thanks Shirley and Marla for pointing this review out. Need I say more?

Re: My Mother’s Pulpit: Published Memoir, Contest Winner, Ethical Dilemma

dealzbydesign — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 10:24:33 -0000

True stories especially those that caters to love: for the family and friends are sure hit. It's like designing a bright future gained from the positive aspect of the stories being written.

Re: Laura Bush Memoir Book Deal Illustrates Recession?

Gutsywriter — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 08:00:36 -0000

Poor Laura,
I feel so sorry for her right before the holiday shopping season. Will she have enough to buy some gifts? Maybe the publishing industry is changing.

Re: The Amazon Kindle v. Barnes & Noble’s Nook and iPhone App: Five Things the Kindle Gets Right and Five It Gets Wrong

shirleyhs — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 21:15:51 -0000

A number of FaceBook friends commenting on this post pointed out other features about Kindle that are wonderful: ability to change font size, making the text more readable for older eyes, and the fact that you can order The New York Times. Personally, I "read" the Times on the iPhone right now--for free--so have not subscribed to the Kindle version, but you might like to--especially if you love coffee and all the news that's fit to print in the mornings.

Re: The New Publishing Rules: Seth Godin’s Fascinating Talk to Publishers

Gutsywriter — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 14:56:39 -0000

Finished listening to Seth. Love the advice. I shall check out Squidoo.com. Wasn't sure how you can create your own Oprah on YouTube. Does he mean video tape yourself speaking about topics that are informative to others? I often wonder how to take advantage of making something for YouTube, and combining it with my own blog. What do you think?

Re: The New Publishing Rules: Seth Godin’s Fascinating Talk to Publishers

shirleyhs — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 12:18:09 -0000

I get Seth Godin's blog in my Google Reader and find his ideas really stimulating. He seems to have an angle of vision just a few degrees off plumb--which, in his case, results in some really creative ideas.

Re: Ava’s Man: A Review And A Question for You

swingtrading2 — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 02:11:58 -0000

Insightful read. I have stumbled and twittered this for my friends. Others no doubt will like it like I did.

Re: The New Publishing Rules: Seth Godin’s Fascinating Talk to Publishers

Gutsywriter — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 00:29:42 -0000

I watched half of the speech and am unable to get back to the middle without listening all over again from start.
I love Seth's ideas and his phrase, "The enemy of an author is not piracy, it's obscurity." Thanks for sharing this video with us. I shall listen to the end about blogging, tomorrow.

Re: Memoir and Management: A Path to the Corner Office?

swingtrading — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 21:39:48 -0000

Type your comment here.Interesting post. I have made a twitter post about this. Hope others find it as interesting as I did.

Re: Love and Death: Forrest Church’s Testimony and a Mini-Memoir

Loretta Willems — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 16:24:01 -0000

Shirley, I was delightfully surprized to receive your personal response to my comment. I shall definitely continue to read and comment.

Re: Love and Death: Forrest Church’s Testimony and a Mini-Memoir

shirleyhs — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 20:37:54 -0000

Loretta, so glad to make your acquaintance through this medium. I am discovering many UU/Mennonite connections, thanks to the internet and to relatively frequent travel. I respect my children's spiritual choices and I respect my growing number of UU friends. I like that the ties to the Mennonite church are still there for my children as well, through friends, family, and, I hope, a set of values that are deeper than any single tradition. Thanks for dropping by and making this lovely comment. Hope you will continue as a reader and commenter.

Re: Love and Death: Forrest Church’s Testimony and a Mini-Memoir

Loretta Willems — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 16:30:16 -0000

I recently subscribed to your blog through the Goshen's on-line Mennonite Writing Journal (forget the exact name), and found this piece particularly intersting because I am Mennonite-Episcopalian married to a UU minister, Bill Haney. I often feel awkward when around Mennonites when that fact becomes known, and your openness about your own family UU connection felt very good. I commend you for your courage.
Bill knows Forrest very well, and he was in our home one week-end when he spoke at the church here in 2002.
Thank you, Loretta Willems

Re: Roger Ebert: His Drinking/Recovery Memoir

shirleyhs — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 22:35:03 -0000

I have never done this, but I would find it fascinating. I'm told by some folks with relatives in the program that it is the best "church" they have ever attended. Deep, wrenching, spiritual depth. Raw, honest human stories.