All My Puny Sorrows

All My Puny Sorrows, originally published in Canada in 2014, is a work of fiction by Canadian author Miriam Toews. Since its publication, the novel has won the Rogers Writers’ Trust Fiction Prize and been shortlisted for the Scotiabank Giller Prize, the Folio Prize for Literature, and the Wellcome Book Prize. In 2021, Michael McGowan directed and produced the novel’s film adaptation. All My Puny Sorrows is in large part inspired by autobiographical events from Toews’s life. It is written from the third-person point of view and toggles between the past and present.

The novel tells the story of sisters Yoli Von Riesen and Elf Von Riesen’s relationship. They grew up in the Mennonite community (a Christian denominational sect) and have been close since childhood. However, Elf has depression and Yoli often feels desperate to keep her sister alive. After Elf attempts to die by suicide for a third time, Yoli and her family band together to help Elf recover. Yoli’s concern for her sister inspires the novel’s explorations of the Enduring Strength of Sibling Bonds, the Impact of Mental Health on Family Dynamics, and the

Unlock all 51 pages of this Study Guide

Plus, gain access to 8,900+ more expert-written Study Guides.

Including features:

+ Mobile App

+ Printable PDF

+ Literary AI Tools

Unlock Full Library