'All My Puny Sorrows' by Miriam Toews is a poignant and beautifully written novel that delves into the complex dynamics between two sisters, Yolandi and Elfreida. Yoli narrates the story of her sister Elf, a world-renowned pianist who is suicidal, and her own struggles as a divorced single mother trying to save Elf's life. The book explores themes of love, depression, family relationships, and the internal conflict faced by Yoli as she grapples with the idea of assisting in her sister's suicide. Miriam Toews masterfully weaves humor into this otherwise dark and emotional narrative, providing a unique blend of wit and sarcasm that offers moments of lightness amidst the heavy subject matter.

The novel captures the essence of sibling love and rivalry, faith, spirituality, and the challenges faced by a family dealing with tragedy and mental illness. Through Yoli's perspective, readers are taken on a journey that navigates between heart-wrenching despair and moments of laughter, showcasing the resilience and strength of the characters as they confront the harsh realities of life and death. Miriam Toews' writing style is described as graceful, raw, and emotionally honest, offering a compelling and deeply moving exploration of the human experience.

Characters:

The characters are richly drawn, each reflecting the complexities of familial love and pain, particularly focusing on the contrasting lives of the two sisters.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is rich and layered, combining humor and emotional depth, often employing literary allusions and a unique narrative flow.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot centers on the relationship between two sisters, one who struggles with severe depression and the other who grapples with how to support her while facing her own challenges.

Setting:

The setting is rooted in a Mennonite community in Canada, providing a backdrop that influences the characters' lives and choices.

Pacing:

The pacing is deliberate, flowing through reflective moments and emotional beats that enhance character development.

OUR HOUSE WAS TAKEN AWAY on the back of a truck one afternoon late in the summer of 1979. My parents and my older sister and I stood in the middle of the street and watched it disappear, a low-slung b...

Notes:

All My Puny Sorrows is a novel by Miriam Toews that explores themes of mental illness, suicide, and the bond between sisters.

The story is semi-autobiographical, reflecting Toews' own experiences with suicide in her family.

The main characters, Yoli and Elf, are sisters with contrasting lives: Elf is a beautiful and successful concert pianist, while Yoli is a struggling author and divorced mother of two.

The novel is set in a Mennonite community, and it discusses the pressures and expectations of such a conservative culture.

Despite its heavy subject matter, the book includes moments of humor and lightness.

The title comes from a poem by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, reflecting the emotional complexities of the narrative.

Yoli grapples with her sister’s repeated suicide attempts and her desire to save her, creating a deep emotional conflict throughout the story.

The characterization is notably strong, making readers empathize with both sisters even if they haven't experienced similar struggles.

The story examines societal attitudes towards mental illness and the stigma surrounding suicide.

Toews' writing style is described as a mix of erudition and playfulness, further enhancing the emotional depth of the narrative.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include themes of suicide, mental illness, depression, and familial grief, which may be triggering for some readers.

From The Publisher:

Shortlisted for the Folio Prize 2015

Shortlisted for the Wellcome Book Prize 2015

Sunday Times Top Choice Summer Read

A SUNDAY TIMES TOP 100 NOVEL OF THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY

Elf and Yoli are two smart, loving sisters.

Elf is a world-renowned pianist, glamorous, wealthy, happily married: she wants to die.

Yoli is divorced, broke, sleeping with the wrong men: she desperately wants to keep her older sister alive.

When Elf's latest suicide attempt leaves her hospitalised weeks before her highly anticipated world tour, Yoli is forced to confront the impossible question of whether it is better to let a loved one go.

'The novel she has written - so exquisitely that you'll want to savour every word - reads as if it has been wrenched from her heart.' Christina Patterson, Sunday Times

'[Toews] has produced a masterly book of such precise dignity. It is, also against all the odds, at times a desperately humorous novel.' Daily Mail

Ratings (6)

Incredible (2)
Loved It (3)
Did Not Like (1)

Reader Stats (19):

Read It (8)
Want To Read (7)
Not Interested (4)

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About the Author:

Miriam Toews (pronounced tâves) was born in 1964 in the small Mennonite town of Steinbach, Manitoba. She has published four novels and a memoir of her father, and is the recipient of numerous literary awards including the Governor General's Award, the McNally Robinson Book of the Year Award (twice), and the Rogers Writers' Trust Fiction Prize. In 2007 she made her screen debut in the film Luz silenciosa. She was nominated for Best Actress at Mexico's Ariel Awards for her performance.

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All My Puny Sorrows

Miriam Toews