I Am Hutterite
The Fascinating True Story of a Young Woman's Journey to Reclaim Her Heritage
- History & Biography
- Publisher: W Publishing Group (Thomas Nelson)
- Published: 2011
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Publisher's Description
In 1969, Ann-Marie’s parents did the unthinkable, leaving a Hutterite colony with their seven children to start a new life. Overnight, the family was thrust into a society they did not understand and did not understand them in this powerful story of understanding how our beginnings often define us. “Your mother and father are running away," said a voice piercing the warm air. I froze and turned toward home. To a Hutterite, nothing is more shameful than that word.” When Ann-Marie's parents decided to leave their Hutterite colony in Canada with their seven children in tow, it was a complete shock. Overnight, the family was thrust into a society they did not understand, and which knew little of their unique culture. The transition was overwhelming. Desperate to be accepted, ten-year-old Ann-Marie was forced to deny her heritage in order to fit in with her peers. I Am Hutterite chronicles Ann-Marie's quest to reinvent herself as she comes to terms with the painful circumstances that led her family to leave community life. Before she left the colony, Ann-Marie had never tasted macaroni and cheese or ridden a bike. She had never heard of Walt Disney or rock-and-roll. With great humor, she describes how she adapted to popular culture, and with raw honesty, her family's deep sense of loss for their community. Winner of the 2007 Saskatchewan Book Award for Non-fiction Unveils the rich history and traditions of the Hutterite people’s extraordinary way of life Includes a glossary of Hutterite words and phrases, family photos, and a family tree In this insightful memoir, venture into the hidden heart of the little-known Hutterite colony. Rich with memorable characters and vivid descriptions, this ground-breaking narrative shines a light on intolerance, illuminating the simple truth that beneath every human exterior beats a heart longing for understanding and acceptance.
Endorsements (2)
“A beautifully crafted memoir of a simple, faithful life. I read it with the intense conviction of the many years I spent in judgment of people serving the same God in a different way than I. Reading I Am Hutterite allowed a personal glimpse into a private world, leaving me with the impression that Mary-Ann Kirkby and her beloved Hutterites are the same kind of different as me.”
“Mary Ann Kirkby, in her outstanding book, I Am Hutterite, shares her own true story of moving out of the Hutterite culture in Canada as a youth, adjusting to the freedoms of eclectic culture today, but then reclaiming some of the outstanding character traits and faith and courage of the Hutterite culture she originally came from. I strongly endorse this book to understand another family of our own brothers and sisters both past and present.”
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