A Complicated Kindness by Miriam Toews tells the story of a Mennonite teenager, Nomi Nickels, and her response to increasing conflict and tragedy in her family. This novel, however, explores not only the life of a fictional young woman in the making, but also that of the author herself. The novel exists symbolically as a representation of Miriam Toews and her past experiences, particularly the disintegration of her family. Writing this novel was both therapeutic and an attempt to understand and reimagine her past life. The parallels between the story of the fictional Nomi Nickels and that of her creator, Miriam Toews, are effectively illustrated in the similarities between the narrator's voice, the father figure, and many aspects of the setting. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay First, the parallels between the author and the protagonist she created reveal not only that authors can lend their own voice to that of their narrator, but also that Miriam Toews intentionally created Nomi Nickels as a symbolic representation of itself. In a recent interview with The Guardian, Miriam Toews said: “I have a problem with the beginning… and the ending… and the middle. I find it very, very difficult to write. It takes it all." Similarly, A Complicated Kindness begins with Nomi Nickels introducing herself through a brief commentary on her writings. "I have a problem with endings," she explains. "I feel like there are so many to choose from. I'm already anticipating failure” (1). Furthermore, throughout the novel, Nomi Nickels refers to her desire to leave her Mennonite hometown for the bigger cities of New York or Prague, building a strong theme of dissatisfaction with the community. Miriam Toews was equally eager to leave behind the limiting values ​​and lifestyle of her hometown; After graduating, she traveled around Europe for three years as a self-described "punk" before settling in downtown Toronto , Miriam Toews' portrayal as the protagonist and narrator of A Complicated Kindness is further strengthened by the presence of a similar parallel in her other novels. For example, when she is asked about All My Puny Sorrows, a novel that follows the story of two sisters - one's struggle with depression and suicide, and the other's battle to keep her alive - Miriam Toews speaks openly about the inspiration she has drawn from the same struggle. with his sister, publicly placing himself as the protagonist. These examples clearly illustrate that, beyond coincidence, Miriam Toews created her protagonist, Nomi Nickels, as an image of herself. It can be said that A Complicated Kindness was an attempt to reunite a family permanently estranged due to depression and the confinement of religion. . Writing this novel could be seen as an opportunity for Toews to revive his father's existence and remember the quirks of his personality. On May 13, 1998, Melvin Toews, father of Miriam Toews, stood on a railroad platform near his Mennonite community, waiting for an oncoming train (Winnipeg Free Press, 2010). This marked the end of his life, also ending a lifelong struggle with mental illness. However, Melvin Toews reappeared in the world, brought back by his daughter as Ray Nickels, a character from A Complicated Kindness. In the novel, Ray Nickels lovingly supports his youngest daughter, Nomi Nickels, as she attempts to loosen the threads of a once happy family, years after hope has been lost with the departure of his eldest daughter and wife. This..