Book Review:

Thicker than Water: A Story of Faith and Courage,

by Henry Klippenstein.

Reviewed by Linda Falk Suter.

In writing Thicker than Water, Klippenstein has recaptured the personal story of his family's struggles, hardships, courage and faith in their transition from the pre-World War I tranquility and prosperity in Southern Ukraine to the terror, killings, typhus and starvation of the Russian Revolution and finally the journey to a new country. In this new land the rich farming land of the Ukraine has been replaced by the dust bowl of Saskatchewan, and "Plautdietsch" replaced by the harsh-sounding English. In the midst of this, Henry's parents, desperately poor, maintain integrity and dignity as they scrape out a living for their growing family.

Thicker than Water begins with a brief summary of Mennonite history from its 16th century origin to the invitation from Catherine the Great in the late18th century to settle in the Ukraine. Then in 1870's came the first wave of immigrants to America followed in the 1920's by the second wave. The Klippensteins belong to this 1920's group. After stopping briefly in Manitoba, they settle in southern Saskatchewan.

The story is told by Hendrijk (Low German for Henry), the infamous middle child of a family of seven children. Through his persona the reader learns to know the characters of Pa and Ma Klippenstein and their five sons and two daughters. So Hendrijk's story becomes a kind of Bildungs-roman as he conveys the impact of the immigrant experience during his formative years.

Although it is Hendrijk's story, it is in fact the story of all Russian Mennonite immigrants, and, indeed, in a larger sense it represents any immigrant who leaves the old and familiar to dare to venture into the unknown. One could even say that Hendrijk's story becomes the metaphor for the struggle, pain, disappointment, courage and faith for anyone who chooses to embrace life fully. Thus it is not a story of defeat, but one of "the courage to be".

The author concludes with several short stories that feature somewhat embellished episodes of Hendrijk's life. The style changes and "with touches of wry humour and a healthy dose of proverbial prairie seed stuck firmly in his teeth" (quote from Forward), the author recalls little vignettes that serve well for oral readings. (One is reminded of the early Mark Twain's short stories.) It is within the detail, the exact setting and the explicit word choice that the humour lies. The delight is that Hendrijk can not only laugh at the circumstances, but also at himself as his inquisitiveness gets him into countless troubles.

The author's story comes full circle as he takes the 1800KM bus trip from Vancouver to Saskatchewan for his 50th high school reunion. He is apprehensive--what will he find? It is a good experience. He relives his growing up years, the bittersweet school days; he revisits the site of the old farm with only the barn foundation and a few scraggly caragana bushes remaining. He grieves for "the incredible hardness of his parents' life". But in all this he also experiences a catharsis, a healing that in all that has happened on his life's journey, he now theologically finds himself "back on the Mennonite bus".

Thicker than Water is delightfully entertaining, yet profound. The reader enjoys the escapades of the Klippenstein children and of course the ever-curious Hendrijk. At the same time, the reader stands in awe marveling at the invincible spirit of survival of this immigrant family--no it is not mere survival--it is a celebration of affirming life fully.

(Linda Falk Suter is Emeritus Assoc. Prof. Of English at Bluffton University in Ohio.) The book is available from the author for $20.00 (including postage) Henry Klippenstein, 814 Frederick Rd., North Vancouver, BC V7K2Y3 (604) 987 1506

Acquisitions
by Hugo Friesen

• Family Histories and Genealogies - We have received 40 or more of these informative books and binders containing a great deal of information for family research.

• EWZ microfilms - Dr. Tim Janzen has graciously donated another 92 microfilms of family information of the Mennonites coming from Russia to Germany during the 1940's. The microfilms are purchased from the National Archives in Washington, D.C.

• Cedar Hills Mennonite Church files and documents - This church began around 1939 and their first church building was located near the east end of the Patullo Bridge at New Westminster. Originally, this church was known as the United Mennonite Church of South Westminster but in 1964 they moved to a new location on 100th Avenue in Surrey and the church was renamed, Cedar Hills Mennonite Church. At this time they are amalgamating with the Living Hope Christian Fellowship and asked us to house their historical collection of files, records and documents.