What do you think?
Rate this book
The Plainspoken Series
Hutterite Diaries: Wisdom from My Prairie Community
What would it be like to share all your possessions and live in Christian community? In Hutterite Diaries, Linda Maendel offers a rare glimpse into the daily routines and communal faith of her people, the Hutterian Brethren. From stories of working together to bring in the fall potato harvest to laugh-out-loud tales of sisterly love laced with revenge, Maendel invites readers into her Bruderhof, or colony, nestled on the prairie of western Canada. Here children and adults work, play, eat, and worship together, crafting a community of goods and living out an alternative to the individualism and consumerism of mainstream society.
Few outsiders know anything about the Hutterites, a Plain Christian group related to the Amish and Mennonites. Maendel's story invites readers into deeper understanding of this community of faith, calling us to take seriously the example of Jesus and the early church in our daily living.
Hear straight from plain Christians as they write about their daily lives and deeply rooted faith in the Plainspoken series from Herald Press. Each book in the series includes "A Day in the Life of the Author" and the author's answers to FAQs.
170 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 18, 2015
8 people are currently reading
437 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
August 13, 2018
I'm back to one of my major 2018 reading goals - to read a bunch from Alaska and Canada. You can't read the prairies of Canada without reading about the Hutterites. I read three books from their own voices, two of which I got from a Canadian reading friend who grew up on the prairies too. (The other two books are Born Hutterite: Stories by Samuel Hofer and I Am Hutterite: The Fascinating True Story of a Young Woman's Journey to Reclaim Her Heritage.
The Hutterites are similar to the Amish and Mennonites in belief (Anabaptist, dating back to the 1500s in Europe where Joseph Hutter was burned at the stake for refusing to renounce his new beliefs, forced to flee to America and then largely resettling in Canada because of war bonds issues as they are "historic peace churches.") In practice, their practice of communal living sets them apart from some other groups. Over 400 Hutterite colonies still exist today in North America, and this book is part diary, part memoir, part religious reflection from a woman still living as part of a community in Manitoba.
Maendel works as a teacher in addition to her other duties as a woman (Hutterites separate job responsibilities by gender), and her stories are about her daily life, the education system, the children, the friendships, etc. As an insider she does not share any criticism about the community, and any mention of specific doctrines are couched as positive and intentional (some of the other Hutterite writings speak more to the rigid rules and strict adherence.) I felt like I learned a lot about their historic traditions, the language, the food, and how these communities have thrived based on specific business practices that prioritize industry (efficiency, maintenance and purchase of equipment, shared labor) and offering what isn't in the market (kitchen cabinets, potatoes for McDonalds, etc.) They also have a specific process for starting a new community after they reach a certain size, to ensure that there is always enough people to do the work but isn't too many people to support with the money generated.
I've read a lot about "communal utopias" (one highly recommended book is America's Communal Utopias) and I would say this long history and seemingly successful management is pretty rare. This book came out in 2015, so it's likely that these groups are still going strong!
The Hutterites are similar to the Amish and Mennonites in belief (Anabaptist, dating back to the 1500s in Europe where Joseph Hutter was burned at the stake for refusing to renounce his new beliefs, forced to flee to America and then largely resettling in Canada because of war bonds issues as they are "historic peace churches.") In practice, their practice of communal living sets them apart from some other groups. Over 400 Hutterite colonies still exist today in North America, and this book is part diary, part memoir, part religious reflection from a woman still living as part of a community in Manitoba.
Maendel works as a teacher in addition to her other duties as a woman (Hutterites separate job responsibilities by gender), and her stories are about her daily life, the education system, the children, the friendships, etc. As an insider she does not share any criticism about the community, and any mention of specific doctrines are couched as positive and intentional (some of the other Hutterite writings speak more to the rigid rules and strict adherence.) I felt like I learned a lot about their historic traditions, the language, the food, and how these communities have thrived based on specific business practices that prioritize industry (efficiency, maintenance and purchase of equipment, shared labor) and offering what isn't in the market (kitchen cabinets, potatoes for McDonalds, etc.) They also have a specific process for starting a new community after they reach a certain size, to ensure that there is always enough people to do the work but isn't too many people to support with the money generated.
I've read a lot about "communal utopias" (one highly recommended book is America's Communal Utopias) and I would say this long history and seemingly successful management is pretty rare. This book came out in 2015, so it's likely that these groups are still going strong!
July 16, 2016
This review is also posted on Book by Book.
Linda Maendel’s Hutterite Diaries: Wisdom from My Prairie Community offers a brief and engaging glimpse at a unique community. The Hutterites, a faith community often associated with yet different from the Amish and Mennonites, have a strong and evident orientation to communal living, doing and sharing most everything together. To give readers a peek at the life inside this community, Maendel tells entertaining and interesting stories of her everyday life and discusses the shared values and customs. A well-written, quick book, Hutterite Diaries is a worthwhile read - I certainly enjoyed and appreciated the opportunity to read it, as I did not know anything about this particular community beforehand. Readers interested in learning a bit about the Hutterites should definitely take the time to read Linda Maendel’s book.
Thanks to LitFuse Publicity Group, I received a copy of Hutterite Diaries and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own.
Linda Maendel’s Hutterite Diaries: Wisdom from My Prairie Community offers a brief and engaging glimpse at a unique community. The Hutterites, a faith community often associated with yet different from the Amish and Mennonites, have a strong and evident orientation to communal living, doing and sharing most everything together. To give readers a peek at the life inside this community, Maendel tells entertaining and interesting stories of her everyday life and discusses the shared values and customs. A well-written, quick book, Hutterite Diaries is a worthwhile read - I certainly enjoyed and appreciated the opportunity to read it, as I did not know anything about this particular community beforehand. Readers interested in learning a bit about the Hutterites should definitely take the time to read Linda Maendel’s book.
Thanks to LitFuse Publicity Group, I received a copy of Hutterite Diaries and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own.
June 3, 2015
Although I don't read many of them anymore, I once enjoyed reading Amish books. I know that the Hutterite lifestyle is very different, but I couldn't help but be curious when I heard about this book. I find the idea of quieting some of the clutter of the typical American lifestyle appealing. With the Hutterite lifestyle, I find some parts of the community lifestyle appealing. I wanted to learn more, so I jumped at the chance to read Hutterite Diaries.
I have to admit, this book was a bit different than I was expecting. It's somewhat of a mash up of things, with a diary/memoir type of feel. The author shares stories from her childhood, and more than not, it's reminiscing about her community and family. There's some historical information, and peeks into the life of the Hutterite community. It's a gentle and simple kind of read, and one that I think I would have enjoyed more reading a bit of each day, as opposed to straight through. If you choose to read it straight through, it's a quick read. Even though I didn't get quite the look into a typical day that I thought I would, it was still a sweet read, and I did get a peek at it. In the back, though, there are a few pages of questions and answers with the author, giving us a bit more detail of the Hutterite lifestyle.
I expected the Hutterites to be closer to the Amish, for some reason. I was surprised to see that they use internet and electronics so much. Being a community is a big deal to the Hutterites. They share responsibilities and chores with others in the community. Part of me would love not having to cook everyday! They gather at a cafeteria of sorts and share cooking/cleaning/working responsibilities. The other part of me enjoys getting to spend meals with my family. I really do dream of the closeness they seem to share, though. Sometimes, it gets very lonely in my little spot in the woods! ;)
Overall, this is a sweet and simple read. I enjoyed the peek into the author's Hutterite lifestyle.
*I was provided a review copy, in exchange for my honest opinion.
I have to admit, this book was a bit different than I was expecting. It's somewhat of a mash up of things, with a diary/memoir type of feel. The author shares stories from her childhood, and more than not, it's reminiscing about her community and family. There's some historical information, and peeks into the life of the Hutterite community. It's a gentle and simple kind of read, and one that I think I would have enjoyed more reading a bit of each day, as opposed to straight through. If you choose to read it straight through, it's a quick read. Even though I didn't get quite the look into a typical day that I thought I would, it was still a sweet read, and I did get a peek at it. In the back, though, there are a few pages of questions and answers with the author, giving us a bit more detail of the Hutterite lifestyle.
I expected the Hutterites to be closer to the Amish, for some reason. I was surprised to see that they use internet and electronics so much. Being a community is a big deal to the Hutterites. They share responsibilities and chores with others in the community. Part of me would love not having to cook everyday! They gather at a cafeteria of sorts and share cooking/cleaning/working responsibilities. The other part of me enjoys getting to spend meals with my family. I really do dream of the closeness they seem to share, though. Sometimes, it gets very lonely in my little spot in the woods! ;)
Overall, this is a sweet and simple read. I enjoyed the peek into the author's Hutterite lifestyle.
*I was provided a review copy, in exchange for my honest opinion.
September 2, 2015
“Creating word pictures is like collecting treasures; it makes me take a closer look at things. Via my blog and newspaper articles, I get to share my musings with people around the world.”
Hutterite Diaries is a slim volume of these very musings. Therein lies the problem with many slim volumes these days. The collections of blogs and articles of most bloggers and article writers aren’t always required reading. David Foster Wallace, Roxanne Gay, Woodward and Bernstein or Mitch Albom are a varied list of YES writers that come to mind. Linda Maendel would not probably make my “must be bound” list. She writes interesting blog entries and articles about Hutterites and if my eleven-year-old had to write a report on the subject I would hand her this book.
It is very factual. Hutterites are modern with equipment like the use tractors and trucks but not dress. The book is very informative with …information. But not much else. The author’s brothers died in a fire. The author finds out Hutterites were slaves in Cyprus until the 1800s. The author travels to other countries. All subjects seemingly surrounded with emotions and stories. Right? Wrong. At least not for this version. The lack of feeling or personal observation and reflection were a missed opportunity to make this a true “diary”.
The author does tell the reader how many French fries the potato shed holds. But no spoilers here! Read it for general info and to know the difference between the Amish, for example. Otherwise stick to reading Maendel’s blog. It is very informative. http://www.hutterites.org/author/lind...
Provided by publisher
Hutterite Diaries is a slim volume of these very musings. Therein lies the problem with many slim volumes these days. The collections of blogs and articles of most bloggers and article writers aren’t always required reading. David Foster Wallace, Roxanne Gay, Woodward and Bernstein or Mitch Albom are a varied list of YES writers that come to mind. Linda Maendel would not probably make my “must be bound” list. She writes interesting blog entries and articles about Hutterites and if my eleven-year-old had to write a report on the subject I would hand her this book.
It is very factual. Hutterites are modern with equipment like the use tractors and trucks but not dress. The book is very informative with …information. But not much else. The author’s brothers died in a fire. The author finds out Hutterites were slaves in Cyprus until the 1800s. The author travels to other countries. All subjects seemingly surrounded with emotions and stories. Right? Wrong. At least not for this version. The lack of feeling or personal observation and reflection were a missed opportunity to make this a true “diary”.
The author does tell the reader how many French fries the potato shed holds. But no spoilers here! Read it for general info and to know the difference between the Amish, for example. Otherwise stick to reading Maendel’s blog. It is very informative. http://www.hutterites.org/author/lind...
Provided by publisher
June 10, 2015
[I received this book free from the publisher Herald Press, through NetGalley. I thank them for their generousity. In exchange, I was simply asked to write an honest review, and post it. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising]
This is a collection of writing that have all been published in other sources. Put together, they introduce Hutterite community to a public that may have a skewed view of this and other Anabaptist sects from "scripted reality shows" we see on cable TV.
Linda Maendal weaves her teaching with her own discoveries, educating not only herself, but others who have been lost in history's footnotes. She also writes about daily life in her blog, which I am about to sign onto, because I feel I want to educate myself more. That's the goal of a book like this and the others in this series.
This is a collection of writing that have all been published in other sources. Put together, they introduce Hutterite community to a public that may have a skewed view of this and other Anabaptist sects from "scripted reality shows" we see on cable TV.
Linda Maendal weaves her teaching with her own discoveries, educating not only herself, but others who have been lost in history's footnotes. She also writes about daily life in her blog, which I am about to sign onto, because I feel I want to educate myself more. That's the goal of a book like this and the others in this series.
May 29, 2015
About the Book:
What would it be like to share all your possessions and live in Christian community? In Hutterite Diaries, Linda Maendel offers a rare glimpse into the daily routines and communal faith of her people, the Hutterian Brethren. From stories of working together to bring in the fall potato harvest to laugh-out-loud tales of sisterly love laced with revenge, Maendel invites readers into her Bruderhof, or colony, nestled on the prairie of western Canada. Here children and adults work, play, eat, and worship together, crafting a community of goods and living out an alternative to the individualism and consumerism of mainstream society. Because few outsiders know anything about the Hutterites, a Plain Christian group related to the Amish and Mennonites, this book offer a rare-glimpse into Hutterite life.
My Review:
I first learned of this community from a television show, not too terribly long ago. So when news of this review came across my inbox I sort of had a feel for what the book would include. The Hutterite community is very similar to that of the Amish or Mennonite communities. The community that the author belongs to seems to have richly grounded beliefs. They hold to many traditions like that of the Amish or Mennonite communities. I found the sharing of her stories to be refreshing especially in today's world when such legalism and consumerism has taken the world by storm--the Hutterite community shares with one another and relies on each other like brothers and sisters in Christ should.
I particularly liked the chapter on Christmas. Many of the stories that the author tells us are similar to what goes on between my children. I love how she tells the stories word for word so we aren't left to our own imagination. Many of the stories are heartfelt and encouraging. I loved learning about this community!
**Disclosure** This book was sent to me free of charge for my honest review from Litfuse.
What would it be like to share all your possessions and live in Christian community? In Hutterite Diaries, Linda Maendel offers a rare glimpse into the daily routines and communal faith of her people, the Hutterian Brethren. From stories of working together to bring in the fall potato harvest to laugh-out-loud tales of sisterly love laced with revenge, Maendel invites readers into her Bruderhof, or colony, nestled on the prairie of western Canada. Here children and adults work, play, eat, and worship together, crafting a community of goods and living out an alternative to the individualism and consumerism of mainstream society. Because few outsiders know anything about the Hutterites, a Plain Christian group related to the Amish and Mennonites, this book offer a rare-glimpse into Hutterite life.
My Review:
I first learned of this community from a television show, not too terribly long ago. So when news of this review came across my inbox I sort of had a feel for what the book would include. The Hutterite community is very similar to that of the Amish or Mennonite communities. The community that the author belongs to seems to have richly grounded beliefs. They hold to many traditions like that of the Amish or Mennonite communities. I found the sharing of her stories to be refreshing especially in today's world when such legalism and consumerism has taken the world by storm--the Hutterite community shares with one another and relies on each other like brothers and sisters in Christ should.
I particularly liked the chapter on Christmas. Many of the stories that the author tells us are similar to what goes on between my children. I love how she tells the stories word for word so we aren't left to our own imagination. Many of the stories are heartfelt and encouraging. I loved learning about this community!
**Disclosure** This book was sent to me free of charge for my honest review from Litfuse.
January 16, 2016
I enjoyed reading this book very much! I love to read about ways of life other than my own. I find it fascinating. I love the idea of living in a "community", my friend and I actually tried to start one when my daughter was a baby but we never got it off the ground.
This is the third book about the Hutterties I have read. The other others were - I am Hutteriute, by Mary Ann Kirkby and My Hutterite Life, by Lisa M Stahl - both of these were very good as well.
I loved this author's style of writing. It was very descriptive, nice, kind of what you would see in older literature.
"I walk leisurely to the communal kitchen for breakfast, soaking up the morning air and the surrounding splendor. Autumn has painted trees and shrubs in shades of orange, yellow, and red; and some leaves have escaped onto the neatly trimmed, stillgreen lawns. Dew-kissed grass blades sparkle as if somebody shattered crystals." I love this - beautiful!
Each chapter is like a different short story explaining a different aspect of their life.
This book really goes in depth about the Hutterites' ways and their customs, as well as a lot of history! That actually was one of my favorite parts - the history, where they came from and why.
If you are the least bit curious about other ways of life - you will enjoy this one!
Thank you Litfuse for sending me this e-book for my honest review!
This is the third book about the Hutterties I have read. The other others were - I am Hutteriute, by Mary Ann Kirkby and My Hutterite Life, by Lisa M Stahl - both of these were very good as well.
I loved this author's style of writing. It was very descriptive, nice, kind of what you would see in older literature.
"I walk leisurely to the communal kitchen for breakfast, soaking up the morning air and the surrounding splendor. Autumn has painted trees and shrubs in shades of orange, yellow, and red; and some leaves have escaped onto the neatly trimmed, stillgreen lawns. Dew-kissed grass blades sparkle as if somebody shattered crystals." I love this - beautiful!
Each chapter is like a different short story explaining a different aspect of their life.
This book really goes in depth about the Hutterites' ways and their customs, as well as a lot of history! That actually was one of my favorite parts - the history, where they came from and why.
If you are the least bit curious about other ways of life - you will enjoy this one!
Thank you Litfuse for sending me this e-book for my honest review!
May 28, 2015
This book is an enlightening in-depth look at the Hutterites, while there is a lot of books about the Amish, and some about the Mennonites not much is known about the Hutterites. These churches all come the Anabaptists and evolved in different directions. We also touch on where their faith was practiced and evolved out of. How they were persecuted for their beliefs and how they came to the US and Canada
The way the villages are set up made me think of the Amana Colonies, where they were separate, but together. The author told about their weddings, where the couple is married at the groom’s village, and how a parade comes out to meet the guest coming from the bride’s home.
The story the author presents is very enlightening and gives you a real look at this communal living, each family has their own home and some personal possessions, but the meals are taken together with men on one side of the room and woman on the other. There are lots of other interesting facts, including their clothing.
The author shares a lot of her own personal experiences, along with her family. Come along for a memorable read of a little know sect of Christians, the book is a fast page-turner.
I received this book through Litfuse Publicity Book Tours, and was not required to give a positive review.
The way the villages are set up made me think of the Amana Colonies, where they were separate, but together. The author told about their weddings, where the couple is married at the groom’s village, and how a parade comes out to meet the guest coming from the bride’s home.
The story the author presents is very enlightening and gives you a real look at this communal living, each family has their own home and some personal possessions, but the meals are taken together with men on one side of the room and woman on the other. There are lots of other interesting facts, including their clothing.
The author shares a lot of her own personal experiences, along with her family. Come along for a memorable read of a little know sect of Christians, the book is a fast page-turner.
I received this book through Litfuse Publicity Book Tours, and was not required to give a positive review.
June 3, 2015
The Hutterite Diaries is a delightful and interesting read. The book is written like you are sitting and talking to your friend over a cup of coffee. Hutterite Diaries flowed easily and it only took a couple of hours to read. What was different about this memoir compared to others I have read is that it is divided into sections. Each chapter has an applicable quote at the beginning which gives the reader a preview of what is to come.
Linda shares a lot of her culture and herself. Her love of her people shines deeply though her words. She is honest and caring. The humor and stories she adds to the book make the book fun and joyful. The way Linda uses description makes you draw mental pictures in your mind; it is as if you are right there with her in her community.
Linda includes some of the history of the Hutterite people. This really gives the reader a bird's eye view of what their people have gone through, yet survived. Linda also discusses some threats to her culture. Her honesty is refreshing.
I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.
Thank you to the Litfuse Chicks for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. No monetary compensation has been received and all views expressed are my own.
Linda shares a lot of her culture and herself. Her love of her people shines deeply though her words. She is honest and caring. The humor and stories she adds to the book make the book fun and joyful. The way Linda uses description makes you draw mental pictures in your mind; it is as if you are right there with her in her community.
Linda includes some of the history of the Hutterite people. This really gives the reader a bird's eye view of what their people have gone through, yet survived. Linda also discusses some threats to her culture. Her honesty is refreshing.
I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.
Thank you to the Litfuse Chicks for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. No monetary compensation has been received and all views expressed are my own.
May 30, 2015
I knew next to nothing about the Hutterites prior to reading this book, so I was fascinated by this account of their lifestyle. This particular colony allows modern conveniences like telephones, computers and vehicles, but the people still dress plainly and simply, with values that include thriftiness, conservation and service. What also differentiates the Hutterites from the Amish and Mennonites is a more communal lifestyle, where meals are all taken in a central location, and money is pooled and parceled out to each individual and family. I was intrigued by the turbulent history of the Hutterites, which involved a great deal of persecution and relocation. One thing I missed in reading this book was a personal look at Maendel’s life and the people in her community. Apparently, she never married nor had children, but she rarely addressed such personal details (Is it difficult to find a spouse in such a small community?), and the other people in the colony were broadly drawn so I never felt like I really got to know anyone who lives as a Hutterite. Overall, though, I learned a great deal about these inspirational people who choose to live peacefully through the Scriptures.
April 13, 2015
Before reading this book, I had only barely heard of the Hutterite branch of Anabaptists. Hutterite Diaries is not just a wonderful reference for outsiders, but a loving look at everyday life in the Canadian Hutterite community. There are stories from the current day, background history of the group, and personal accounts of the past and present. I loved the section Weathered Wood, about recycling, frugality, and the Hutterite involvement in Take Pride Winnipeg. Recycling is such a relevant and current topic all over North America, showing that the Hutterites aren't a backwards people, but a people that already know what the rest of us are just finding out. Hutterite Diaries is an excellent choice for anyone interested in learning more about this group, or for anyone wanting to read heart-warming stories.
May 31, 2015
This was a very interesting book to read. I have not heard of the Hutterite group before seeing this book. I knew about the Amish and the Mennonites but not this group out of Canada. The way the author wrote this book it was very easy to read and understand. It was very interesting to see how this group of people have a communal way of living in their villages. The author does a very good job of describing their lifestyles and culture. Hutterite Diaries is a park of a series called Plainspoken that tells the real life stories of the Amish, Mennonites and Hutterites. Even though this is a part of a series you can read each as a stand alone book as they each tell a different person’s story. I also like how they tell a day in the life of the author and a question and answer section. All in all a good story that I recommend to fans of Amish stories.
June 2, 2015
A must read for fans of the "plain lifestyle" and those interested in learning about Hutterite community. While not a cohesive memoir or story, it is still an engaging romp through memories and experiences. Hutterite author, Linda Maendel shares many stories about growing up in her community, values, and family living. Knowing next to nothing about this religion/culture, I thought it was definitely eye opening and not at all what I expected. I think I thought it would be closer to Amish living, but in fact it is quite different. Linda outlines many differences and misconceptions common folk have about their lifestyle as compared to the Amish. A quick, informative read, I was able to complete it within about two hours. I can see this being wildly popular at libraries.
I received this book for free from Litfuse Publicity in return for my honest, unbiased opinion.
I received this book for free from Litfuse Publicity in return for my honest, unbiased opinion.
June 9, 2015
This is a very well written book about life of the Hutterite Colony. The Author, Linda Maendel writes with such ease that you feel like she is speaking directly to you. I didn't read all of the stories, but I did read most of them. I knew about "Amish" , but not the "Hutterites", so being able to learn about the difficulties the Hutterites had to go through, SHOULD make us a little more compassionate for those who walk a different path. This is a wonderful book, and I enjoyed reading it. I will def go back and read the stories that I didn't read the first time. I recommend this book to anyone wanting to learn more about the Hutterites!
*Disclaimer*
I received this book free from LitFuse Publicity in exchange for my honest review. I am not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are 100% my own.
*Disclaimer*
I received this book free from LitFuse Publicity in exchange for my honest review. I am not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are 100% my own.
May 28, 2015
When we lived in Montana, we lived not far from two or three Hutterite communities. We often saw them on the sidewalks and in the stores in our little town, as well as in Great Falls. I was intrigued by their lifestyle.
I was happy to have a chance to read Hutterite Diaries, and learn a little bit about their community life. Especially fascinating to me was Linda's sharing of the history of Hutterian Brethren in Euroupe, as well as that of the Anabaptists. My own family ancestry traces back to Anabaptists, as well (so I have been told).
If you are interested in learning more about the communal life of the Hutterites, you will find this book fascinating.
I was happy to have a chance to read Hutterite Diaries, and learn a little bit about their community life. Especially fascinating to me was Linda's sharing of the history of Hutterian Brethren in Euroupe, as well as that of the Anabaptists. My own family ancestry traces back to Anabaptists, as well (so I have been told).
If you are interested in learning more about the communal life of the Hutterites, you will find this book fascinating.
June 9, 2015
I loved the perspective that Linda shared, and she's writes with a wonderful style that I found so warm and easy to read. My disappointment in the book lies with wanting MORE.
There was a quote in the book that stuck with me; "I make sure my students know that their Hutterite stories are worth writing about, because they are interesting, heartwarming, and valuable". It's funny that I marked that quote because I truly hope that Linda takes to heart her own words and writes another book, and gives us "plain-curious" or "plain-seeking" the info that we crave. She shares her stories so beautifully! Give us more!
There was a quote in the book that stuck with me; "I make sure my students know that their Hutterite stories are worth writing about, because they are interesting, heartwarming, and valuable". It's funny that I marked that quote because I truly hope that Linda takes to heart her own words and writes another book, and gives us "plain-curious" or "plain-seeking" the info that we crave. She shares her stories so beautifully! Give us more!
May 17, 2015
My long awaited release of "Hutterite Diaries" arrived yesterday and I read until I reached the end. I am very pleased how Linda Maendel writes as if she was speaking to you in person. The Hutterites are mostly unknown to a lot of the world, but she explains how they live everyday, the love they all share, the sadness they have endured through their long road to religious freedom in the United States and Canada. There is much to learn about these dear people and they kindly share it all with us. A good read and I am proud it is now part of my library.
June 11, 2015
A fascinating look into a Plain lifestyle. Each chapter stands alone as its own story while together, as a whole, they give a wonderful glimpse into what it means to live within this unique community of faith. Maendel shares heartbreak and humour in an easy-to-read style that captivated me. Think short articles you might find in the human interest section of a newspaper. And each one captures her faith-filled spirit and no-nonsense attitude. A winning combination.
My thanks to Herald Press and Litfuse Publicity for providing me with a review copy of this book.
My thanks to Herald Press and Litfuse Publicity for providing me with a review copy of this book.
May 25, 2015
A well-written and interesting collection of memories, which give an unprecedented look at the lives of Hutterites in Western Canada.
Living in Alberta, I have seen Hutterites, driven by the colonies, and even purchased food at Farmer's Markets, but I still didn't know anything about everyday life. Linda Maendel gave me a glimpse of ordinary daily life, customs, beliefs, celebrations and disasters. I very much appreciated reading this book.
Living in Alberta, I have seen Hutterites, driven by the colonies, and even purchased food at Farmer's Markets, but I still didn't know anything about everyday life. Linda Maendel gave me a glimpse of ordinary daily life, customs, beliefs, celebrations and disasters. I very much appreciated reading this book.
June 10, 2015
This is a lovely book by Linda Maendel full of anecdotes nd stories from her home Colony, It is full of insights that other books about Hutterites don't have as they are written by non-Hutterites.
May 29, 2015
I’ve been fascinated by the Hutterite culture and religious beliefs since I saw a movie that was about Hutterites and a Levite marriage and read the book, I Am Hutterite. When this book, Hutterite Diaries by Linda Maendel came up to review I knew I had to read it – this reads more like a fire side chat than a book, and I liked that cozy feeling. Hearing about the devastating loss of her brothers in a fire to how the whole community pulls together to help one another makes me long for that life – the way the original Christians lived, in community, sharing what each had and sharing back. They have their Anabaptist roots like the Amish, Mennonites, and Old German Baptists however their dresses are more colorful and they don’t wear the capes that the other groups are known for. The women’s head coverings are black with polka dots and tied under the chin and they can wear elbow length sleeves.
Linda’s story is real, it comes with the joys and the issues that whether you live in a communal life or not that we all go through – her writing is very real and as I said it’s almost as if you’re sharing a drink and chatting with her at her fireplace (I assume she has a fireplace, maybe I’m romanticizing a bit). As with all things there will be aspects I don’t agree with – such as placing young children in the care of others for many hours a day, I understand they do this so the children learn from an early age how their community works. I also know that my children learn about our community, the world at large and also about our faith every day even though they are homeschooled. I’m looking forward to following Linda’s blog and her Twitter feeds and maybe one day I’ll get to visit a Hutterite colony, which would be a neat way to really experience that world.
If you’d like to see what others thought please visit the Litfuse Landing Page.
Linda’s story is real, it comes with the joys and the issues that whether you live in a communal life or not that we all go through – her writing is very real and as I said it’s almost as if you’re sharing a drink and chatting with her at her fireplace (I assume she has a fireplace, maybe I’m romanticizing a bit). As with all things there will be aspects I don’t agree with – such as placing young children in the care of others for many hours a day, I understand they do this so the children learn from an early age how their community works. I also know that my children learn about our community, the world at large and also about our faith every day even though they are homeschooled. I’m looking forward to following Linda’s blog and her Twitter feeds and maybe one day I’ll get to visit a Hutterite colony, which would be a neat way to really experience that world.
If you’d like to see what others thought please visit the Litfuse Landing Page.
May 27, 2015
I had never heard of the Hutterite community. Apparently, they live their lives in a communal setting. They share everything, take meals together, etc... I thought this book sounded really interesting because I love memoirs and I wanted to learn more about this colony. They use modern conveniences, unlike the Amish, but they just live like Acts 2:44,45 tell us the disciples and early church lived.
"And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need."
Unfortunately, this book was not at all interesting. It didn't really tell you anything at all about their community. It was a few stories about the author's life and they did not hold my interest at all. Not even one! I was really surprised by this. I hate to give a bad review, but there wasn't a single thing I liked about the book.
Thank you, Litfuse, for this book. As always, this is my honest opinion. Here's to many more!!
"And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need."
Unfortunately, this book was not at all interesting. It didn't really tell you anything at all about their community. It was a few stories about the author's life and they did not hold my interest at all. Not even one! I was really surprised by this. I hate to give a bad review, but there wasn't a single thing I liked about the book.
Thank you, Litfuse, for this book. As always, this is my honest opinion. Here's to many more!!
June 9, 2015
It's difficult to "rate/review" someone's life as it is the story of their life. I was curious to read about the Hutterite family, I'd never heard of them before. They do things similar to Amish but not the same and really I found it to be a mix of different ideas. The main idea is that they all "live together" not in the same house but community. They share money, food, kitchens, etc. This book didn't have as much info as I thought as it's more of a diary about Linda's life. Many things didn't seem that much different than our modern day life but it was still interesting to learn that groups of people live differently.
I wish the book would have been organized a little differently but I still consider this a good book.
"I received this book from Litfuse for free in exchange for an honest review."
January 8, 2023
This was a very interesting read..I never knew much about the Hutterites ..I had watched a few documentaries (that were pretty outdated) and I follow a few vlogs. Other than that I didn't know much. When I found out that there was a book about hutterite life written by a hutterite I was very interested. Hutterite diaries explores the Colony life of Linda and life for her colony. In her book Linda explains the hutterite way of life ...their traditions ..what she loves about communal living the reasons behind some of their traditions as well as where they came from and why she believes colony life is special. I really enjoyed getting an insider's look at the Hutterite way of life.
June 20, 2020
Book is a little boring but it was on shelf in church library and I thought that I might learn from this. It's also a fairly easy read - so I could read another book this year without it taking too much time. It's ok - but nothing special.
My score 48%
My score 48%
July 28, 2025
very interesting
February 7, 2016
I have always been fascinated by the life of those who live “plain” such as the Amish, Mennonite, ect. This fascination began long ago when I first heard of the lifestyle and some of the amazing crafts and such they made and has continued as I learn more and more about their simpler life style. Don’t get me wrong I love my conveniences but the thought of making due with less clutter and reusing things more and making more things for ourselves fascinates me. This fascination continued with me being obsessed with Amish Christian fiction (which to me just seems such a wierd turn of phrase such Amish don’t believe in grace through faith alone but whatever) but soon found it falling flat and realizing that most Amish would hate such literature.
Anyway, all that rambling to say when I saw the news about this book being written about a similar sort of lifestyle but from the perspective of someone actually living it I was intrigued. I would really love to find more of the books in this series. I learned so much about the Hutterite, although not much about their theology which bugged me a bit as I’m interested in that but I realize the normal reader probably isn’t as much. Linda recounts much of her memories of life in the colony and many of the stories came from her blog. It is nicely structured and her writing style is very conversational as if you are talking to an old friend. I loved this inside look at a group living in Christian community, sharing all things, yet not keeping themselves from technology and such. If it weren’t for the speaking German all the time and most likely a theology that doesn’t quite align with mine I think it might be a pretty nice life. The only part of the book that was tough for me was when she went in to some of the history. It got a bit confusing and I think part of that had to do with her being so immersed in the lifestyle she didn’t realize how much of it would go over our heads. That’s easy to do though and I did feel like I caught enough of it to understand what she was talking about. Overall, I think this is a good book and helps you learn about a Christian culture from someone who is in that culture and we could all do with learning more about that.
I received a free copy of this product from Litfuse in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions I have expressed are my own or those of my family. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC Regulations.
Anyway, all that rambling to say when I saw the news about this book being written about a similar sort of lifestyle but from the perspective of someone actually living it I was intrigued. I would really love to find more of the books in this series. I learned so much about the Hutterite, although not much about their theology which bugged me a bit as I’m interested in that but I realize the normal reader probably isn’t as much. Linda recounts much of her memories of life in the colony and many of the stories came from her blog. It is nicely structured and her writing style is very conversational as if you are talking to an old friend. I loved this inside look at a group living in Christian community, sharing all things, yet not keeping themselves from technology and such. If it weren’t for the speaking German all the time and most likely a theology that doesn’t quite align with mine I think it might be a pretty nice life. The only part of the book that was tough for me was when she went in to some of the history. It got a bit confusing and I think part of that had to do with her being so immersed in the lifestyle she didn’t realize how much of it would go over our heads. That’s easy to do though and I did feel like I caught enough of it to understand what she was talking about. Overall, I think this is a good book and helps you learn about a Christian culture from someone who is in that culture and we could all do with learning more about that.
I received a free copy of this product from Litfuse in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions I have expressed are my own or those of my family. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC Regulations.
April 23, 2016
Frugality, simplicity and a strong faith are qualities I identified with growing up Mennonite in Lancaster County, PA during the 1950s. Linda Maendel has painted in bold colors a realistic picture of life in a similar culture, her Hutterite colony in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Mennonites and Hutterites both have Anabaptist origins in Europe, value close family ties, and oppose war.
Using blog posts, newspaper articles, and historical research, Maendel recalls the hard work and strong sense of community that keeps the Elm River Colony thriving. Before reading this book, I had only a vague idea of Hutterite life. However, I learned that cooperation makes their world go round, basing this belief on the New Testament teaching in Acts 2:40-47. While the colony members do not have personal bank accounts, colony leaders distribute funds to individual families and pay all Canadian government taxes. They are skilled at re-purposing too. The author’s stories of fashioning an old desk into something new and creating lap quilts from patches are heart-warming.
Reading Linda’s memoir felt calming. As my friend Valerie Weaver-Zercher mentions in her book Thrill of the Chaste, readers are drawn to stories like these because of the moral innocence exemplified, “chaste residents in a defiled world,” as she puts it. I found it interesting that Weaver-Zercher was Maendel’s editor during book publication.
Maendel is a consummate storyteller, a quality students in her German and English classes must relish. Through wit, humor, and an authentic voice, Linda Maendel is giving her Hutterite community a legacy to savor and to those yet to come a roadmap to follow.
Using blog posts, newspaper articles, and historical research, Maendel recalls the hard work and strong sense of community that keeps the Elm River Colony thriving. Before reading this book, I had only a vague idea of Hutterite life. However, I learned that cooperation makes their world go round, basing this belief on the New Testament teaching in Acts 2:40-47. While the colony members do not have personal bank accounts, colony leaders distribute funds to individual families and pay all Canadian government taxes. They are skilled at re-purposing too. The author’s stories of fashioning an old desk into something new and creating lap quilts from patches are heart-warming.
Reading Linda’s memoir felt calming. As my friend Valerie Weaver-Zercher mentions in her book Thrill of the Chaste, readers are drawn to stories like these because of the moral innocence exemplified, “chaste residents in a defiled world,” as she puts it. I found it interesting that Weaver-Zercher was Maendel’s editor during book publication.
Maendel is a consummate storyteller, a quality students in her German and English classes must relish. Through wit, humor, and an authentic voice, Linda Maendel is giving her Hutterite community a legacy to savor and to those yet to come a roadmap to follow.
November 30, 2015
I have had the distinct pleasure of meeting the author of Hutterite Diaries, blogger and Linda Maendel, at the local book launch just weeks ago. Her selected reading was filled with humour and personality that had the audience captivated. A wonderful introduction to what we would find within the pages of her diaries.
Unique insights into the life of community as practiced by the Hutterites - a plain folk of anabaptist faith. Ms Maendel, writes personably of rhythms and routines of farming life on the Canadian prairies. Stories of her family's losses, adventures to other countries, historical background of the origins of the Hutterian journey to freedom of faith, language, values and perspectives that enlighten and clarify differences and similarities between Amish and Mennonite sects.
A fascinating read that enriches as it informs and enlarges our understanding of the lives of others in our world, both local and afar.
Appreciation to Linda for allowing us to share your world with both humorous anecdotes and grief of your losses. We are all richer for your telling...
*Appreciation to Herald Press for a copy to read and review without cost or compensation.
Christmas Spirit Readathon 2015 - 2 related stories re-read and enjoyed November 29.15
Unique insights into the life of community as practiced by the Hutterites - a plain folk of anabaptist faith. Ms Maendel, writes personably of rhythms and routines of farming life on the Canadian prairies. Stories of her family's losses, adventures to other countries, historical background of the origins of the Hutterian journey to freedom of faith, language, values and perspectives that enlighten and clarify differences and similarities between Amish and Mennonite sects.
A fascinating read that enriches as it informs and enlarges our understanding of the lives of others in our world, both local and afar.
Appreciation to Linda for allowing us to share your world with both humorous anecdotes and grief of your losses. We are all richer for your telling...
*Appreciation to Herald Press for a copy to read and review without cost or compensation.
Christmas Spirit Readathon 2015 - 2 related stories re-read and enjoyed November 29.15
June 21, 2015
My thoughts:
I have to confess I had never head of the Hutterite or the Hutterite Colonies until I was offered this book to review. I knew of course of the Amish and the Mennonite and the Amana. In fact I had hoped to visit the Amana Colonies up in Iowa someday as we drive past them on our way to a favorite reenactment.
The Hutterites differ from all the above as they live communally. They share everything within their community. Money and meals are both good examples of how they share. They all take turns preparing meals for the entire community and eat together for all meals. They also have a communal money fund or account and are given money when they leave so that they still have money for shopping.
I found this book very interesting and would like to learn more about the Hutterite Colonies. The author of this book lives in a Colony in Canada so it would be a bit far for me to drive and visit, but maybe someday I will be able to visit a colony. Until then I’ll content myself with learning more about them and where they have come from. I love learning the history behind people and would love to visit Germany someday as the author did.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I have to confess I had never head of the Hutterite or the Hutterite Colonies until I was offered this book to review. I knew of course of the Amish and the Mennonite and the Amana. In fact I had hoped to visit the Amana Colonies up in Iowa someday as we drive past them on our way to a favorite reenactment.
The Hutterites differ from all the above as they live communally. They share everything within their community. Money and meals are both good examples of how they share. They all take turns preparing meals for the entire community and eat together for all meals. They also have a communal money fund or account and are given money when they leave so that they still have money for shopping.
I found this book very interesting and would like to learn more about the Hutterite Colonies. The author of this book lives in a Colony in Canada so it would be a bit far for me to drive and visit, but maybe someday I will be able to visit a colony. Until then I’ll content myself with learning more about them and where they have come from. I love learning the history behind people and would love to visit Germany someday as the author did.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews