This book guys, this book. What a ride! I’ve had some time to process my thoughts, and honestly I think I’m in awe of this book

The majority of the story takes place in a hayloft, in a barn in the middle of no where. 8 women are meeting to discuss their plans to leave the secluded Mennonite colony in which they live. They will leave behind their husbands, and sons over the age of 15. Their reason for leaving? The women of their colony have been drugged and raped, repeatedly, waking to think they had been attacked by ghosts or demons as punishment for their sins. Unheard of in Mennonite society, these 8 illiterate women ask a trusted man to take minutes of their meeting

Women Talking is an imagined response to a real life event, wherein over 100 women in a remote Mennonite colony were similarly attacked. With just two days to make their plans and leave, with no knowledge of the world outside their colony, no map to guide them, no arms to protect them and a shortage of food before they even left - these women show a graceful courage that I can only aspire to. The book raises questions of faith, love and familial loyalty. The trauma is only ever mentioned in passing, there are no graphic details - although be warned, in the book the youngest of those attacked is just three. I cried real tears, this was sensitively told and is the mark of a wonderful story teller.

4.5 stars rounded up