Menno Moto - Cameron Dueck

⭐ 10.0/10

(Originally written by Joseph)

So I actually didn't really know this book existed, and mostly read it for research on my book, but also because researching for this book has made me super interested in Mennonite history. Then I come to Weview and everyone has already read it...

Like everyone here has said, this book is great. I was super skeptical as I started, because it is written by a guy who kinda left the Mennonite lifestyle, and in this book he travels south to visit colonies in Mexico and Central and South America to study them. Would he understand? Would he be respectful to my people?? I kinda felt like this would be a bitter person making fun of Mennonites.

I was totally wrong. For sure, I think Dueck points out (fairly) the flaws in Mennonite colonies, especially when he gets to Bolivia and discusses the male-dominated leadership structure that has led to exploitation. He also discusses some weird, contrary belief systems or inconsistencies. Still, I was totally okay with him doing this because it's rooted in a true curiousity and an understanding of what they were trying to accomplish. He is also quick to praise things Mennonites do well, and even makes comparisons to modern movements that seek to do things Mennonites have been doing for centuries.

So yeah, I ended up loving this book. I have been spending a lot of time lately trying to organize my own thoughts and attitudes towards Mennonite history, and I think this book helped me do that. Or at least it helped me appreciate that there are others like me. I felt a kind of kinship with Dueck, admiring some things from our past and wanting to hang on to them, while being embarrassed by others. Feeling pride at having this unique part of my identity, despite not really living within it. He also just seems to live a really cool life and I'm jelly.

I don't think this is a 10 for non-Mennonites, though I still think there is plenty to love. It's a cool adventure book about meeting a very interesting group of people, that become more and more interesting as you learn more, and start to hear the voices from behind all the mystery and tradition. But more than anything, I think it's an opportunity for Mennonites to explore their own identity.

This book came to me at a perfect time, a week before I head out to my own research-travel opportunity. Totally recommend for Mennonites, and still very much recommend for the weltmensch.