Description
In 1969, Ann-Marie's parents did the unthinkable, leaving a Hutterite colony with their seven children to start a new life. Overnight, the family was thrust into a society they did not understand and did not understand them in this powerful story of understanding how our beginnings often define us.
"Your mother and father are running away, said a voice piercing the warm air. I froze and turned toward home. To a Hutterite, nothing is more shameful than that word."
When Ann-Marie's parents decided to leave their Hutterite colony in Canada with their seven children in tow, it was a complete shock. Overnight, the family was thrust into a society they did not understand, and which knew little of their unique culture. The transition was overwhelming. Desperate to be accepted, ten-year-old Ann-Marie was forced to deny her heritage in order to fit in with her peers.
I Am Hutterite chronicles Ann-Marie's quest to reinvent herself as she comes to terms with the painful circumstances that led her family to leave community life. Before she left the colony, Ann-Marie had never tasted macaroni and cheese or ridden a bike. She had never heard of Walt Disney or rock-and-roll. With great humor, she describes how she adapted to popular culture, and with raw honesty, her family's deep sense of loss for their community.
- Winner of the 2007 Saskatchewan Book Award for Non-fiction
- Unveils the rich history and traditions of the Hutterite people's extraordinary way of life
- Includes a glossary of Hutterite words and phrases, family photos, and a family tree
In this insightful memoir, venture into the hidden heart of the little-known Hutterite colony. Rich with memorable characters and vivid descriptions, this ground-breaking narrative shines a light on intolerance, illuminating the simple truth that beneath every human exterior beats a heart longing for understanding and acceptance.
Author: Mary-Ann Kirkby
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Published: 05/09/2011
Pages: 272
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.63lbs
Size: 8.34h x 5.46w x 0.69d
ISBN13: 9780849946431
ISBN10: 0849946433
BISAC Categories:
- Biography & Autobiography | Personal Memoirs
- Biography & Autobiography | Religious
- Biography & Autobiography | Women