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This really is a book of women talking, but oh my what they are talking about. The author has based this on the true story of a Mennonite colony in Bolivia. Over several years, hundreds of women and girls believed they were raped in their beds by ghosts" or demons". These were found to be men of the colony who were drugging and raping the women. This horrendous crime is the starting point for the novel, where the women (who are all illiterate) are discussing the options of what to do when the men (who have been discovered) are brought back. The women discuss whether they should do nothing, leave or stay and fight, but given their circumstances there seem few options for them outside the colony. It is told by a male narrator because he can write, and he is the one taking the minutes. Unfortunately, the book comes off cold and distancing despite the horrible crime. They mostly discuss it within the purview of their religion, and there is a great deal of discourse about forgiveness. Perhaps if you are more into religion and philosophy you will love this book, but I found it too distancing for me to really like it.
