Book Review: Mennonite in a Little Black Dress by Rhoda Janzen
- Paola Santana
- May 2
- 3 min read
Updated: May 28
Janzen's prose is so beautiful and so entertaining that Mennonite in a Little Black Dress has become one of my references for good writing. I originally gave it two stars, because I loved the writing but didn't like the story. So it was only fair I revisited my review after rereading it this year.
BOOK SPECS:
Number of Pages: 272
Format: Paperback
Genre: Memoir, Book Club Lit
Trope: Self-discovery
BACKGROUND INFO:
Mennonites are usually confused with the Amish people. Easy mistake to make as the Mennonites are a faction of the Amish. The former, though, are more "liberal" regarding modern living, allowing themselves to drive, go to college, use of technology like computers, mobile phones and electricity. However, they are still deeply rooted in their Christian faith. They are not dissimilar to the Quaker's descendants you can come across in the UK today.
SHORT REVIEW:
An interesting and thought provoking read if you look in between the lines, otherwise an entertaining one. If, like me, you like romance and action packed books... This might not be the book for you, but I cannot deny it is brilliantly written and very funny. Not to mention a heck of a revenge on her ex. Nothing says f**k you better than telling your story, naming the bully, and becoming a best selling author while at it. I take my hat off to you, Janzen. Full, detailed review below.
HEART RATE:
SMUT SCORE:
FULL REVIEW:
Plot
Rhoda's life is at a crossroads. Everything has basically gone wrong - she got sick and the surgery she needed ended badly; her husband left her for a man he met online; she was injured in a car crash; and to top it all off, she's about to lose the house her husband insisted on buying because she cannot afford it on her own.
It all sounds very sudden and unexpected, almost as if she has been dealt an unfair amount of bad luck. But as you keep reading, you realize things are not what they seem. Janzen was in an emotionally abusive relationship and all the wrong things had been happening for quite a while. She was simply in denial.
As everything is falling apart, Rhoda decides to go home to her Mennonite family. Now, she has spent most of her life running away from her heritage and her people. And I can easily understand why - she just wanted "to be normal" and fit in. A feeling or need she could have developed during her teens, when she went to a regular school but was dressed and had to behave like a Mennonite and, therefore, stood out like a sore thumb.
Still, when everything failed and her life went haywire, her family and close friends were the ones who received her in her broken, scarred state with open arms and no reservations. Going home is what starts Rhoda's healing journey, returning to her roots, facing harsh truths, and reconsidering her views on her heritage.
Characters
Janzen is a scholar and very fond of her status. No wonder, as she worked hard to get herself there. Admittedly, scholars are not my favorite type of people as they seem to think that their academic intelligence gives them the right to belittle others. Nick, Janzen’s ex-husband, is a good example of that.
Holding a Masters Degree or a P.H.D., however, does not make them other than human and, despite her intelligence and education, Janzen has done what a lot of woman in abusive relationships do: deny it's happening. This novel sees her not just realizing this and blaming others, but also taking accountability herself for ignoring a lot of red flags and not tackling issues early on.
Smut and Romance Score
Although Rhoda mentions different relationships, sex included, there is no smut to be found here. There are a couple of really interesting meet-cutes, though. One of which leads to the romance on her second memoir.
Writing
Mennonite in a Little Black Dress is really a self-discovery tale and, for me, it cut quite close to the bone. Since I read for escapism, I cannot really say I enjoyed the storyline. As an aspiring writer, however, there is no denying that Janzen's poetry background makes her a brilliant wordsmith. She managed to tell quite a soul destroying story and still make it funny and engaging.
OUT OF CURIOSITY:
Rhoda Janzen is a poet. She has only ever written two novels - her two memoirs. Everything else is either academic or poetry related.
As you might expect, the Mennonite community was split over Janzen's novel, giving it mixed reviews. But she has since wrote the sequel to this book - Mennonite Meets Mr. Right.
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