I Am Hutterite

By: Mary-Ann Kirkby

Narrated by: Mary-Ann Kirkby

In 1969, Ann-Marie’s parents did the unthinkable, leaving a Hutterite colony with their seven children to start a new life. Overnight, the family was thrust into a society they did not understand and did not understand them in this powerful story of understanding how our beginnings often define us.

“Your mother and father are running away," said a voice piercing the warm air. I froze and turned toward home. To a Hutterite, nothing is more shameful than that word.”

When Ann-Marie's parents decided to leave their Hutterite colony in Canada with their seven children in tow, it was a complete shock. Overnight, the family was thrust into a society they did not understand, and which knew little of their unique culture. The transition was overwhelming. Desperate to be accepted, ten-year-old Ann-Marie was forced to deny her heritage in order to fit in with her peers.

I Am Hutterite chronicles Ann-Marie's quest to reinvent herself as she comes to terms with the painful circumstances that led her family to leave community life. Before she left the colony, Ann-Marie had never tasted macaroni and cheese or ridden a bike. She had never heard of Walt Disney or rock-and-roll. With great humor, she describes how she adapted to popular culture, and with raw honesty, her family's deep sense of loss for their community.

• Winner of the 2007 Saskatchewan Book Award for Non-fiction
• Unveils the rich history and traditions of the Hutterite people’s extraordinary way of life
• Includes a glossary of Hutterite words and phrases, family photos, and a family tree

In this insightful memoir, venture into the hidden heart of the little-known Hutterite colony. Rich with memorable characters and vivid descriptions, this ground-breaking narrative shines a light on intolerance, illuminating the simple truth that beneath every human exterior beats a heart longing for understanding and acceptance.

©2010 Thomas Nelson, Inc. (P)2010 Thomas Nelson, Inc.

Hate to push stop!

my 2nd full listen and next,year I,will probably listen again! A beautiful tale of how God's creation strive to know and please Him! But our humanity is our biggest obstacle whether you live in a "community" or in a single family home, the battle is the same- and so is the solution ( Jesus)

I grew up in North Dakota near a Hutterite colony.

I never knew much about them so I found this book quite interesting. I never really came into contact with them, I only heard about them mostly through my dad who often went to their colony to buy produce.

Real Life!

What made the experience of listening to I Am Hutterite the most enjoyable?

I loved listening to Mary-Ann tell her story in the language of the Hutterites and with the accent that has carried over from her heritage.

What was one of the most memorable moments of I Am Hutterite?

I was completely stunned to hear of the drastic upheaval experienced by the family when they left the Colony and its lifestyle. I never thought it could be such a drastic change, but it was a great time of change in the world in general. I grew up in the same time period as Mary-Ann did, my family was a lot like hers. I had a lot of difficulty fitting in, but I was already part of the outside world.

What does Mary-Ann Kirkby bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I said before, I loved her enunciation and accent. If only reading, this part would be lost. It adds so much to the overall story. It expresses the love they had for one another, it also explained the confusion they were living through when they left the Colony. I especially appreciated that this was Mary-Ann's story, narrated by her!

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I've visited Hutterite Colonies in the United States. There were many aspects of their life that I knew of, but the details added in this story cleared away questions I never knew I had. I wanted to cry when the book ended!

Any additional comments?

LOVED, Loved, loved this story and the author/narrator. I would gladly read more of Mary-Ann Kirkby's books, if she were to write again. Especially, if she were the narrator!!!

Not what I thought it was going to be

This book was hard to get through. It moved too slow for my fast paced mind.