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51 pages 1 hour read

All My Puny Sorrows

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2014

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Book Brief

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Miriam Toews

All My Puny Sorrows

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2014
Book Details
Pages

330

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Canada • 2000s

Publication Year

2014

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

All My Puny Sorrows by Miriam Toews centers on Elfrieda and Yolandi, sisters from a conservative Mennonite community. Yolandi is a struggling writer and single mother, while Elfrieda, despite her success as a concert pianist, grapples with severe depression and suicidal ideation. Yolandi, who comes to help her family, must navigate her own troubled life while trying to save her sister. The novel explores mental illness, family dynamics, and sisterly bonds.

Melancholic

Contemplative

Emotional

Bittersweet

Heartwarming

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Miriam Toews' All My Puny Sorrows is widely praised for its poignant exploration of familial bonds, mental illness, and the complexity of sisterhood. Critics commend its emotional depth and dark humor. However, some find the story's pace uneven and its subject matter heavy. Overall, it is lauded for its empathetic narrative and compelling character portrayals.

Who should read this

Who Should Read All My Puny Sorrows?

All My Puny Sorrows by Miriam Toews will captivate readers who appreciate profound and poignant family dramas, exploring themes of mental health and sisterhood. Fans of Anne Tyler's Breathing Lessons or Elizabeth Strout's Olive Kitteridge will find this novel deeply moving and resonant.

Character List

Yoli Von Riesen

Yoli is the protagonist and first-person narrator, living in Toronto with her teenage daughter while dealing with a tumultuous personal life, including a divorce and a challenging relationship with her sister Elf.

Elf is Yoli’s older sister known for her musical talent and vibrant spirit, living in Winnipeg with her husband Nic, dealing with personal struggles that impact her relationship with her family.

Lottie is Yoli and Elf’s mother, navigating life in Winnipeg with resilience and positivity, especially in the face of personal loss and family challenges.

Nic is Elf’s husband and Yoli’s brother-in-law, providing support and care for Elf while sharing connections over a love of travel and music.

Julie, Yoli’s best friend since childhood, offers support and companionship during Yoli’s frequent visits to Winnipeg, forming a crucial part of Yoli’s support system.

Tina is Lottie’s sister who visits Winnipeg from Vancouver to support her family, particularly during times of crisis, reflecting themes of family connection and resilience.

Nora is Yoli’s daughter living in Toronto, balancing her dance commitments with providing emotional support to her mother.

Book Details
Pages

330

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Canada • 2000s

Publication Year

2014

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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