All My Puny Sorrows in Crazy Challenge Connection

Oct 20, 2021 Olivermagnus rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: contemporary, favorites, canada, fiction, 2021

Words cannot express how much I loved this book.

All My Puny Sorrows is the story of two sisters Elfrieda (Elf) and Yolandi (Yoli) Von Riesen. They grew up in a Canadian Mennonite farming community outside of Winnipeg. Elf becomes a world renowned concert pianist, married to a wonderful man who supports her emotionally. She's leading a life that, on the surface, seems brilliantly successful according to all of society's standards. Her younger sister, Yoli, has been divorced twice and is struggli Words cannot express how much I loved this book.

All My Puny Sorrows is the story of two sisters Elfrieda (Elf) and Yolandi (Yoli) Von Riesen. They grew up in a Canadian Mennonite farming community outside of Winnipeg. Elf becomes a world renowned concert pianist, married to a wonderful man who supports her emotionally. She's leading a life that, on the surface, seems brilliantly successful according to all of society's standards. Her younger sister, Yoli, has been divorced twice and is struggling to cope with raising her two children as they approach adulthood, as well as financial, romantic, and career difficulties.

At the start of the novel Elf has already tried to commit suicide a couple of times. She suffers from crushing depression and desperately wants to end her life, although her attempts have all ended in failure. Yoli is bewildered by Elf's death wish and she becomes determined to keep her alive. "She wanted to die and I wanted her to live and we were enemies who loved each other.” This is the simple but profound conflict between these two sisters.

There are flashbacks to earlier days, which helps the reader feel like Elf and Yoli are completely real people. The author references books and poetry throughout the story, which help to fully develop Elf, beyond a figure who lies in bed, begging her sister to help her die. Their mother also plays a humorous role, which provides some relief and diversion from the suicide discussion.

Beyond the main thread of mental illness there is a powerful story of the love sisters feel for one another. I know I've grown closer to my sister as we have aged. If you have a close relationship with your sister, this novel is even more meaningful.

I was shocked at how little sympathy Elf received from caregivers other than family. When a relative is hospitalized for heart ailments her treatment is much different from the contempt that Elf receives in the psych ward.

When I picked up this book I knew it was going to be filled with sadness but was surprised to find a sharp, dry humor as well. I would have to say there is much more than sadness and grief.

Miriam Toews writes beautifully. I was glad I read this on my Kindle because I highlighted so many passages to read again later. I didn't realize that this book was based on some biographical content from the author's family. I thought she did a great job of capturing the helplessness of what it must be like to deal with someone suffering a mental illness. This book will stay with me for a long, long time and I will definitely read more of Toews work. ...more

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Oct 20, 2018 BookishStitcher rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Read this book on the plane. It's an extremely sad story of two sisters. One who has given up on life and the other sister who is fighting to keep her alive. ...more

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May 14, 2015 Taleisin (Tales of a Bookwyrm) rated it did not like it

Shelves: adventure-fiction, fiction, family-drama

This is the most depressing book I have read in a long time. You cannot help but feel for the family, especially Yoli, who is stuck in the middle of all this drama. One thing I enjoyed was all the references to Winnipeg. I've been to some of the restaurants mentioned and Wolesley is right by where I grew up. ...more

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Jul 21, 2024 Chaitra rated it it was ok

Shelves: ala-notable-books, literary-fiction, grief, mental-illness, sisters, mental-health

I liked Yoli, but this book seriously glamorizes depression. There's even a part in the book where Yoli rates people on their ability to kill themselves, and values them accordingly, with higher marks to those who can kill themselves apparently - just what is this rot. ...more

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