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Almost Eden
It is the hot prairie summer of her twelfth year and Elsie is at a crossroads. Her beloved mother who is mentally ill has been hospitalized, and Elsie thinks that the breakdown is all her fault. Mental illness is simply not discussed in Elsie’s close-knit Mennonite community and she is rudderless. Nothing Elsie does seems to go there’s no pleasing her bossy older sister; she forgets to feed the cat, so her father gives it away; she’s supposed to watch out for her younger sister, but she lets her come home alone from the swimming pool (despite the lurking menace of a weird stranger around town); and she bargains with God to make her mother well again — to no evident avail.
Elsie’s conversations with God, her struggle to overcome guilt, and her honest desire to prove herself are laced with a wicked wit and clarity of vision. Almost Eden is a beautiful portrait of a town, a family, and a young woman willing to challenge the things that don’t make sense to her, and to fix the things that don’t seem right.
Elsie’s conversations with God, her struggle to overcome guilt, and her honest desire to prove herself are laced with a wicked wit and clarity of vision. Almost Eden is a beautiful portrait of a town, a family, and a young woman willing to challenge the things that don’t make sense to her, and to fix the things that don’t seem right.
288 pages, Paperback
First published April 4, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
September 11, 2019
I really enjoyed this book. I found it to be a mix between "Are you there God? it's me Margaret." & the movie "Now & Then" .
I certainly laughed out loud and thought about the book when I wasn't reading. I even found myself using some of the expressions. Cute story.
I certainly laughed out loud and thought about the book when I wasn't reading. I even found myself using some of the expressions. Cute story.
February 28, 2020
One of my favorite reads would recommend to anyone especially to any teens who enjoy reading books that have to do with family, friend dramas. There is also a big twist at the end that is very engaging and interesting. I found many details that I was able to connect with. Overall this is a great book! Totally recommend!
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September 22, 2020Very interesting and relatable. I love this book so much
December 31, 2014
I can't help but give this book 5 stars. I do agree that is was a well written book, but I also have to admit that I found myself wishing I had the words to write like that...to put my honest thoughts onto paper, even if the paper was simply a private letter to God, the way that Elise did.
Our main character, Elise, is a 12 year girl from a Mennonite family, which I've inferred to be a deeply religious culture. Elise is the middle child, and her older sister, Beth, takes on a motherly role to her and her younger sister, Lena. Their mother is in Eden, a mental hospital to help the mother's depression. The father is a loving father, but like most, not very open to conversation about anything too personal.
While Elise spends her summer wondering about her mother and God's hand in it all, she starts to distance herself from her friends. Elise and her family at home go through some pretty normal ups and downs, but she tends to put some guilt on herself when things aren't going as planned. She seems to become so overwhelmed with emotion that she herself has a difficult time talking about anything too personal. As a reader, though, you are provided with some insight into the conversations she wishes she could have when you read her prayers to God. Too many unanswered prayers to God and unanswered questions lead Elise to believe that he doesn't exist. That is, until she feels his peace and protection one night when she needs it most.
Though a series of events, Elise eventually tells her friends what is going on with her mother. Her friends graciously show support and help her to plan out an adventure of escape so that she can show her Mother what it's like to feel God's existence. As her mother says, "When the heart is full, the mouth overfloweth." Elise becomes so full of emotion she spills everything to her father, who still accepts her and allows her to share this adventure with her mother, to share God's existence with her.
Despite there being unanswered prayers and unanswered questions about the ills of the world, Elise comes to the conclusion that God really does exist. Some see him in different ways, feel him in different ways, and even talk about him differently. She may not know which is the way she sees Him, but she believes His existence is real and present.
Our main character, Elise, is a 12 year girl from a Mennonite family, which I've inferred to be a deeply religious culture. Elise is the middle child, and her older sister, Beth, takes on a motherly role to her and her younger sister, Lena. Their mother is in Eden, a mental hospital to help the mother's depression. The father is a loving father, but like most, not very open to conversation about anything too personal.
While Elise spends her summer wondering about her mother and God's hand in it all, she starts to distance herself from her friends. Elise and her family at home go through some pretty normal ups and downs, but she tends to put some guilt on herself when things aren't going as planned. She seems to become so overwhelmed with emotion that she herself has a difficult time talking about anything too personal. As a reader, though, you are provided with some insight into the conversations she wishes she could have when you read her prayers to God. Too many unanswered prayers to God and unanswered questions lead Elise to believe that he doesn't exist. That is, until she feels his peace and protection one night when she needs it most.
Though a series of events, Elise eventually tells her friends what is going on with her mother. Her friends graciously show support and help her to plan out an adventure of escape so that she can show her Mother what it's like to feel God's existence. As her mother says, "When the heart is full, the mouth overfloweth." Elise becomes so full of emotion she spills everything to her father, who still accepts her and allows her to share this adventure with her mother, to share God's existence with her.
Despite there being unanswered prayers and unanswered questions about the ills of the world, Elise comes to the conclusion that God really does exist. Some see him in different ways, feel him in different ways, and even talk about him differently. She may not know which is the way she sees Him, but she believes His existence is real and present.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 22, 2012
My mom comes from a Mennonite background, and I've always felt rather close to Mennonite culture, so when I found this book randomly at Chapters, I bought it on sight. As it turns out, that's one instance of spontaneous book-buying that has turned out really well. The story is honest, raw, and so full of Mennonite things that I just can't help but love it. Language nuts will probably enjoy the Plautdietsch that's included (can't have a story about Mennonites without Plautdietsch), and anyone who loves chuckling at idioms from other languages will find the whole book a pleasure. Each chapter is named after a phrase used in that chapter that has origins in Plautdietsch, like "How shines it?" (Wo scheent et?) and "Everything comes to an end, except a sausage" (I have no idea how to translate that one -I only know a few phrases). Even the narration has Plautdietsch feel every once in a while, which gives it an added sense of reality, and it's entirely appropriate for a story told in first person.
As to the story, I'm really terrible at describing what I love without giving spoilers, so I'll just say that it's rather fantastic. The main character, Else, was likeable and I found myself slipping into her skin easily.
And that's about it, unless you want spoilers. Just know that I really like it. :)
As to the story, I'm really terrible at describing what I love without giving spoilers, so I'll just say that it's rather fantastic. The main character, Else, was likeable and I found myself slipping into her skin easily.
And that's about it, unless you want spoilers. Just know that I really like it. :)
July 13, 2011
There are some things the author shares such as origin as Mennonite family, Canada as their country, and German language. Not familiar with this language or Mennonite, but think this is cool since most books will do Spanish heritage or language and African but this is a first for me to read. Another great feature is to see at the end of each chapter and experience of the 12-year-old character, Elsie, shares her thought process and prayers with God, even if it seems petty to the average reader. Young people can feel, think, or see things when they envision and speak to God. Still trying to grasp why the mother is in the hospital.
Moreover, we see the young girl go through stages of praying, to not praying or believing in God anymore, and once she was able to see her mother again--bring her home, and later came home--she realized she always believed in God but then compares her belief with her younger sister Lena (like Santa Claus) and older sis, Beth belief in God. Long as her mom returned home again--knew God was always there.
Moreover, we see the young girl go through stages of praying, to not praying or believing in God anymore, and once she was able to see her mother again--bring her home, and later came home--she realized she always believed in God but then compares her belief with her younger sister Lena (like Santa Claus) and older sis, Beth belief in God. Long as her mom returned home again--knew God was always there.
August 1, 2011
Elsie's mother struggles with depression and must spend time in Eden Mental Health Centre in Mennonite Manitoba. Feeling responsible for her mother's hospitalization, Elsie struggles with the loss of her mother and the inability of the community to understand and support her family in a meaningful way. Elsie also wonders how she will retain her belief in God. She refuses to accept easy answers and by the book's end, comes to a more honest and pragmatic belief in God. Beautifully written.
On a personal note, this book caught my interest because of Eden Mental Health Centre. I went to seminary in the general area described in this book and one of my profs worked at Eden.
On a personal note, this book caught my interest because of Eden Mental Health Centre. I went to seminary in the general area described in this book and one of my profs worked at Eden.
November 28, 2015
Despite of all the German words I couldn't understand in this book, this fast-paced narraritive of a novel brought both happiness and thankfulness to my life. It was that kind of book that changed your life and made you think differently about the world.
It tackled some issues related to mental health, stress, and danger, but overall it was a great book and I really recommend it if you are willing to look up those thirty German words in it.
It tackled some issues related to mental health, stress, and danger, but overall it was a great book and I really recommend it if you are willing to look up those thirty German words in it.
June 12, 2010
I was a little skeptical about reading this book, but I love that it is the perspective of a 12 year old girl. This book is full of adventure and when I got into it I didn't want to put it down
July 28, 2013
This is a wholesome book with great lessons and messages within. I feel that all young reader should read this book. I loved the religious tone to it as well.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews