What I wrote halfway through:

"I love the writer's style and the narrative techniques she uses. At first, I was upset that the narrator was a man, but I think I understand why the author chose that. She needed a neutral note-taker—someone from the outskirts, who wasn't involved.
"It makes me feel the way I thought it would—akin, like I am in it with them. I can feel their blocked anguish, the hurricane beneath their still waters."

What I think now, at the end:

Every time someone swore I cringed, and mostly because I don't think that aspect was realistic. I kept on having to remind myself that I was unattached, that this was only a representation of Molotschna, not of the religion as a whole. Of course it was very different in their situation. They had a bishop; it was more of a cult than a church group. In that sense, I can believe it was at least very close to an accurate picture.
But otherwise—it was a phenomenal story. I did like August. Even if I wasn't interested in the narrator in the beginning, I definitely was by the end. I am glad the author included his story, even if it wasn't necessarily so important to the overall plot.
It felt raw and open, but in a gentler way, if that makes sense. It wasn't too much, but it was enough to make it effective and worth it. I'm glad I read it.