The Shunning

I had never read a book in this genre before, and The Shunning caught my attention for some reason...I have to admit, I was expecting to feel proselytized, but I was pleasantly surprised that 90% of the book can be read by the most secular of us as a gentle and entertaining piece of anthropological fiction. I, like many, saw the "surprise" at the end a mile away, but I was still very excited to see that I was right all along! I don't think I will spend any time reading the rest of the series, but this was a fun easy read, so I finally understand why it (and its counterparts) are so popular at my library.

The Kindle has ongoing challenges that last for three months at a time. They track the number of books and days that you read. They also require certain categories with suggested books to read. A recent one was page to screen, and after browsing their suggestions, I decided to try out Beverly Lewis, who was born and grew up in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, not far from where I grew up. Her Heritage of Lancaster County series tells the story of an Old Order Amish community located in the fictional Hickory Hollow. In The Shunning, we meet Katie Lapp and her family, friends and community members as they prepare for Katie's wedding to the church bishop, the man with ultimate authority over the community. Katie's discovery of a small, show more satin baby's dress changes everything. The story continues in The Confession and I am looking forward to the third book, The Reckoning.

Lewis creates an authentic picture of Old Order Amish life. Her descriptions of Lancaster County capture its landscape of rolling hills and neat farms. She obviously respects and loves the Amish people, getting beyond the stereotype to show their human struggles, even as she is critical of the strictures placed on them by their leaders that are not always Biblically based. show less

I read this for the first time in about 15 years and was surprised at the difference between her current works and this first one written over 20 years ago. She's definitely got a different style here. In many cases she tells the reader what to think about the characters' personality traits, as opposed to her later works where she leaves us to form our own opinions about them. I was really surprised by her discussion and allusions to intimacy---very much not a thing anymore. This was the first Lewis I read and I remember being fascinated by the new-to-me Amish. For all the criticism I've given her most recent works, I've got to say I've got a more positive perspective now as I believe she's definitely improved over time.

Katie has tried to embrace her Amish faith and the ways of the ordnung, but it has always been a struggle for her. Just before her marriage to the bishop, she discovers some upsetting news that explains why, at least to her way of thinking. But others don’t agree, and she has been shunned for her behavior. Distraught by losing everything she knows yet still unable to fully commit to the Amish ways, she leaves her family and the only home she ever knew. Author Beverly Lewis has penned an interesting conundrum in this first book of the trilogy. The characters are quite well developed, and the problems they face because of a decades-old secret illustrates just how impossible it is to keep past actions buried.

The Shunning (The Heritage of Lancaster County, #1) by Beverly Lewis

Set in an Amish community of Hickory Hollow Pennsylvania, twenty-two year old Katie Lapp wants a good life. She is set to marry the Bishop who is widowed, much older than her with children. She feels a bit disconnected (and is) still longing for her true love, who suffered a tragic death. Then she discovers a family secret which sets in motion events that will drastically change her life.

A fascinating story of one young woman, who just wants happiness. I was able to connect with Katie on her thoughts, emotions and feelings, I truly wanted her happy. I did enjoy reading of a different culture/religion/society than my own. This is my first Amish story, at times I was a show more bit angry with the community. Overall I enjoyed The Shunning and recommend to those that like Amish stories. I look forward to reading more by Beverly Lewis. show less

You know Amish novels are my guilty pleasure and this was one of the best Beverly Lewis novels I've read. I wanted to read it soon because Hallmark made a movie from the novel that's premiering on April 16th and I wanted to have read the book before seeing the movie.Katie Lapp has struggled with her Amish heritage for as long as she can remember, often wanting to just indulge in a simple song. After her beau dies tragically, she struggles even more despite the fact that she's engaged to the bishop in her town. The bishop! It's a big deal. Life gets even more complicated when she finds a fancy baby gown in her parents' attic, too fancy to be from an Amish child. Soon she must come to terms with her past and figure out what to do with her show more future.The novel was a very good and quick read, I read it in an afternoon. Things really got interesting about halfway through and I just plowed through the end. I can't wait to see what Hallmark does with the story in their movie.Of course, the whole thing ended with a cliffhanger and thus the potential for Katie, who suffered with herself so much in this novel, to find happiness. I was hoping just this once I could get away with reading just the first book in a series, but no, now I have to get the second book, The Confession. show less

The verdict is out

Beverly Lewis came highly recommended as an author, and I've enjoyed the stories I've read about the Amish....Plain Truth for one....I decided to pick this book up. (I made sure to start with the 1st in the series...I hate when I read a book and find out I started in the middle of a story!) So far, the verdict is out. The story is interesting enough, though a bit predictable. Without giving away too much...Katie is about to marry the local Bishop. She is an older (by Amish standards) bride, and worried that if she doesn't make this marriage she will be 'passed over'. You see, Katie has always had the problem with being attracted to beautiful, but forbidden "englisher' things....satin, guitar music, etc. She also lost show more her first love in a drowning accident. Days before the wedding, she finds a beautiful satin baby dress with the name 'Katherine Mayfield' inscribed...hidden away in the family attic! Her parents deny knowledge of the dress...but then hide it again. Katie has had doubts about the marriage all along, but believes she will 'learn' to love the Bishop. But chaos ensues when Katie learns the night before the wedding that she is NOT who she believes herself to be. As I said, the story is predicatable, and if you've read this far, you probably know that. If the story ended here, I would rate it as boring. But the story ends with an obvious lead in to a sequel...and for that reason is intriguing. IF that book and the next tie up loose ends in an entertaining, though possibly predictable manner, I will consider this book as one long lead in, and feel that possibly, the story could have been shortened into one or 2 books. But as I say...the verdict will not be in until I read the other parts of the trilogy. show less