Lives Lived, Lives Imagined: Landscapes of Resilience in the Works of Miriam Toews

Sabrina Reed's book explores the interplay of trauma and resilience in Miriam Toews' fiction, highlighting themes such as the home, road trip, and Mennonite diaspora. It examines Toews' use of autofiction as a reparative gesture in the face of personal and communal oppressions.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 264 pages
Publication date: 04 November 2022
Publisher: University of Manitoba Press

Miriam Toews is a Canadian writer known for her perceptive, controversial, topical, and achingly funny books. In this comprehensive monograph, Sabrina Reed delves into the interplay of trauma and resilience in Toews' fiction. Reed showcases how Toews weaves resilience across various themes, such as the home as a source of both trauma and an inspiration for resilient action, the road trip as a quest for resolution and redemption, and the reimagining of the Mennonite diaspora as a means of escaping patriarchal oppression.

One of the most shocking and tragic biographical details of Toews' life is the dual suicides of her father and sister. Reed explores Toews' use of autofiction as a reparative gesture in response to this trauma. Written in an accessible style that will appeal to scholars and fans of Toews' work, Lives Lived, Lives Imagined is a timely examination of Toews' oeuvre and a celebration of fiction's ability to simultaneously embody compassion and anger, joy and sadness, and to brave the personal and communal oppressions of politics, religion, family, society, and mental illness.

Toews' fiction is characterized by its exploration of complex themes and its commitment to social justice. Her novels often tackle issues such as gender inequality, religious hypocrisy, and the effects of war on individuals and communities. Through her characters, Toews offers a nuanced and empathetic portrayal of people who are often marginalized or misunderstood.

One of Toews' most notable works is the novel A Complicated Kindness, which won the Giller Prize and was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize. The novel tells the story of a Mennonite family in rural Ontario and explores the complexities of love, loyalty, and forgiveness. A Complicated Kindness is a powerful exploration of the human condition and the ways in which trauma can shape and transform individuals.

Another notable work by Toews is the novel The Flying Troutmans, which was shortlisted for the Scotiabank Giller Prize. The novel tells the story of a Mennonite family who emigrates to Canada from Russia and struggles to adapt to their new life. The Flying Troutmans is a poignant portrayal of the challenges of immigration and the search for identity.

Toews' writing is characterized by its sharp wit, insightful observations, and ability to create compelling characters. Her novels are often filled with humor and irony, but they also contain moments of profound emotional depth and tenderness.

In conclusion, Miriam Toews is a Canadian writer whose books have earned her a place at the forefront of Canadian literature. Through her exploration of trauma and resilience, Toews offers a nuanced and empathetic portrayal of the human condition and the ways in which individuals can navigate the challenges of life. Her fiction is characterized by its sharp wit, insightful observations, and ability to create compelling characters, and it continues to resonate with readers worldwide.

Weight: 363g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781772840094