Miriam Toews

Elfrieda, a world-renowned pianist, glamorous, wealthy, happily married: she wants to die. Yolandi, divorced, broke, sleeping with the wrong men as she tries to find true love: she desperately wants to keep her older sister alive. But Elf's latest suicide attempt is a shock: she is three weeks away from the opening of her highly anticipated international tour. Can she be nursed back to "health" in time? Does it matter? As the situation becomes ever more complicated, Yoli faces the most terrifying decision of her life.

All My Puny Sorrows

Grace Edwards

4.5. SO sad but excellent. I didn’t realize that Miriam Toews wrote Women Talking but now I want to read it even more.

Jeannette Ordas

Such a well written and an engaging story about two sisters - plus, I loved the quirky force of a mother. I did find the first part of the book, when they were kids, so interesting and good that a few chapters later when it was a decidedly grown up book, I have to say I was a little disappointed.

Stephanie Honour

Miriam's ability to infuse quirky light-heartedness into tragic situations is so refreshing; there's a great balance of gravity and humour in her writing that allows readers to digest the novel's often grim realities with the promise of a mischievous smirk peeking around every corner. And how much do I love its Canadian setting, Winnipeg and Toronto, two places my own life is occasionally set? Very much. Not to mention the book is thoroughly saturated with literary references, including Norwegian Wood, a complete anomaly of a read that I just completed! Miriam, we're kindred spirits.

Melanie Richards

margot colville

beautifully, painfully human. the entire novel feels like sitting at a coffeeshop processing with a friend. beautiful thoughts written with beautiful words and syntax. there is at least one profound thought embedded in every single page without fail.

Halsted Mencotti Bernard

A devastating rumination on choosing to live, choosing to die, and who exactly owns these choices. Not an easy read but a necessary one.

All My Puny Sorrows

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