This book is about so many things within a relatively simple premise and resolution. As a reaction to a heinous act of violence against them, women who have been raped, some many times, by members of their own (separate) Mennonite communities, they hold a secret meeting to discuss what they should do, and what each option truly entails.

A male minute keeper is used to translate for the two groups who speak different languages. This somewhat skews the narrative as it’s peppered with the man’s thoughts, which I think is bold and purposeful, and there to show the lack of agency the women have enjoyed and frustrate the reader similarly. It becomes even more pertinent by the end, though.

In their frequent digressions and interactions the conversation shifts from grief to anger to many different, sometimes unexpected emotions, as they come to grips with what’s happened and what is right and what is Good for them.