Levi's Will

If you're looking for a good book to read, but are turned off by the fact that this features Amish characters, don't be! Instead of the usual bland-as-bread romances, this is a fresh take on a tired story. Will runs away at 19 from his father's Amish community and creates a new life for himself, eventually marrying and having two children. Eventually, the two halves of his life intersect and it forces him to come clean about it.

This is a captivating story unlike anything else. It takes tired cliches: illegitimate children, rebellion from an Amish lifestyle, the resultant banishment, reconciliation with family, etc. and presents them in a new way that is excellently written.

The book flips back and forth between 1985 (written in show more present-tense) and different points in Will's life (written in past-tense) and that's the only part that is a bit confusing. Otherwise, it's amazing. show less

This was one of the best Christian fiction books I have ever read. The characters were so accurately flawed that it was easy to empathize with them and to imagine them in real life. I mean in some of the characters, I could instantly see people I know. The plot was very well written, and it got across a spiritual message while not being preachy or shoving it down your throat which I greatly appreciated.

For me, this was an in-depth look of a prodigal son returning to the Old Order Amish and the real difficulties that he must face. It was almost like a diary of Will Mullet, who ran away from his Amish way of life and become an Englisher. The way this was written seemed so real and so sad in many different levels. A boy leaves home, becomes a man and strives to make sense of his life. It was not a happily ever after story, but filled with sorrow and pain, but I loved the way forgiveness was shown by Will and how that freed him from the guilt of his past. I thought the book was summed up with Will's realization that, "No man could keep the Law; his only hope lay in the grace of God. The wrong Will had done and all the roots that had grown show more from it, all the lies had told and all the harm that had come to those he loved because of it, all of it was covered by the grace of God." This was my first book by this author and I thought he wrote a story that seemed so real that it shouldn't be in the fiction section. show less

Levi is Amish raised and in his family, his father is LAW. When he does something to go against their ways rather than face up to his father, he runs away and begins a life outside of the structured life he has known. His younger brother, Tobe, decides he as well wants a different life and goes with him. Levi soon realizes if he is to be in the 'English' world he must act the part. For him, there is no turning back, as he has already been baptized in the Amish order so this means banishment for leaving. Tobe, however, has not been baptized, so there is no ban on him. Levi encourages Tobe to return and sets off to begin his new life.

Excellent book!!! Although it is Christian fiction, there is no preachy feel to it. I was captured by show more Levi's story and found myself emotionally wrapped up in his journey. I learned quite a lot about the Amish that I hadn't known. There really wasn't a part of this book that I could find any fault with. From beginning to end it was a late-night page turner. show less

Plot Summary: What happens, When & Where, Central Characters, Major Conflicts
Follow the life of Will McCruder--also known as Will Mullet. Will changed his name after running away from home. He was raised old-order Amish by a father who is unyielding--so unyielding that when Will gets into trouble with a girl he doesn't want to face his father's wrath. Nor does he want to face the discipline of the Amish community, so he runs away and Tobe, one of his many brothers, joins him. Will knows how to work hard, and this enables him to survive in the world, and eventually he joins the Army. He also meets his future wife, Helen, and the reader follows his life as he eventually has to deal with his past and all the lies he has told people.



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Style Characterisics: Pacing, clarity, structure, narrative devices, etc.
The story switches back and forth between Will and his son Riley going to his father's funeral, and Will's memories of the past. It unfolds slowly and through Will's eyes we see the world of the Amish and the life man struggling to make it in the world. The author's descriptions are vivid and it really feels like as a reader you are stepping into the world of the Old Order Amish when Will tells us about it. The author has pulled from his own family experiences and crafted a poignant tale of families ripping apart and coming back together again.





How Good is it?
Savor this one, enjoy the look at Amish life with all it's weaknesses exposed, and the look at how God can help people reconcile and forgive. show less

He’s sneaky with his descriptive story-telling, never letting me know he’s being descriptive or telling me a story. I really had no expectations about the book when I bought it, aside from the rave reviews from others. I knew it had something to do with the Amish, but my knowledge of the Amish is limited to the cake-like bread we buy from them in the fall when we go to see the covered bridges in Parke County. W. Dale Cramer’s book changed all that.[...]
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Running away from his Amish home, Will abandons faith as well. Can the prodigal find his way back? Will his father ever accept him again?
This book compassionately shows the dilemma of the plain people in a modern world. "Banning" and its consequences on the family are clearly delineated.
An enjoyable, thought-provoking read.