SUMMARY

A Complicated Kindness is a novel, which is about Naomi Nickel who is a sixteen-year-old girl who struggles to stay strong in the Mennonite culture. The novel takes place in a small Mennonite community called East Village from the late 1970's to the early 1980's. The beginning of the novel starts off with Naomi living at home with her father. Naomi's dream is to move to New York and discover the freedom in other cultures. She explains how "the better-looking half" (Toews 1) of her family is missing. Everyday is a challenge to get through, as she feels no purpose in living any longer. Her rebellious attitude flourishes throughout the course of the novel. A main contributor to her rebellious personality is when she is influenced by her sister's departure. Naomi's uncle, who is the head pastor of the Mennonite church, convinces Naomi to believe that her sister is destined to burn in hell as a result of her departure. Naomi's mom cannot take the fact that her brother is so against changing his mindset, leading her to leave as well. Naomi is left with her father, and everyday is another useless day. Naomi begins to smoke, drink, dance, and stay out beyond nine o'clock, which are all activities restricted in the Mennonite community. Naomi eventually gets excommunicated due to the fact that she breaks the set laws. Her father is the only support Naomi has left in her life since he allows her to be free and plan for her future. By the end of the novel, Naomi believes that it is possible that one day, her family will unite and be happy and loved as they once were.