Women Talking

Synopsis: One evening, eight Mennonite women climb into a hay loft to conduct a secret meeting. For the past two years, each of these women, and more than a hundred other girls in their colony, has been repeatedly violated in the night by demons coming to punish them for their sins. They have finally learned they were , in fact, drugged and raped by a group of men FROM THEIR OWN COMMUNITY. Now these women need to figure out how to keep themselves and their daughters safe. They are illiterate, without any knowledge of the world outside the borders of their community, and don’t even speak the local language. Do they stay in the only world they have ever known, or try to escape?

Review: I became aware of this story a couple of years ago, when a film based on the novel was released. However, even though a novel, Women Talking is based on true events. It is by turns shocking, infuriating, harrowing, and depressing. The patriarchal structure of the Mennonite community is well described. Women are kept in submission—and servitude— by depriving them of education and the basic tools needed to survive in the world. This novel explores how a group of women try to determine if they are better off entering a world that is completely unknown to them, or to stay and try to “forgive,” which is an important part of their faith. The novel is ostensibly the “minutes” of their meeting in the hay loft, an interesting device, though I don’t think it necessarily adds to the story. If you can brace yourself for the discomfort of knowing that these events actually happened, I would recommend this novel.

Rating: 4/5

Recipe: Mennonite cuisine is based on the notion of self sufficiency, using what the earth provides and making the most of God’s gifts. Interestingly, they have no dietary restrictions at all. Apple butter is not butter, but essentially super concentrated, super smooth cooked down apples. This was a regular feature of the breakfast table in my childhood, and easy to make with a slow cooker (not that Mennonites would use this if they don’t use electricity!). Use a combination of apple varieties for the best flavor. this recipe is from My Baking Addiction.

6 1/2 pounds apples peeled, cored and sliced

1 cup sugar

1 cup lightly packed brown sugar

1 tablespoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon grated nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

1) place all ingredients except vanilla in slow cooker and mix well. Cook on low heat for 10 hours.

2) Remove lid, stir in vanilla and cook another 2 hours.

3) Use an immersion blender and puree until smooth.

4) Refrigerate up to two weeks, or freeze.