The Photograph

I have read most of Beverly Lewis's books, and this one was another great story! A nice 'gentle' read that you can fall into and just relax and enjoy. Trusting in God, and forgiveness are again themes, as 2 sisters fear they have lost their youngest sister to the 'English' world. Lewis takes you there, with her description of the simple life, and enough details that you feel you are there! Overall, the story gives a glimpse into the Amish way of life, and the great sense of community they share.

I'm not sure if this will be the start of a series, or a 'stand alone' book, but it would work as either. Things are 'wrappe' up' at the end! I'd certainly enjoy reading more about the characters, go back into their world for a bit! I like it show more when a book has an ending....I hate to be left hanging until the next book comes out! (That's why I usually don't start a 'series' until they are all out!) show less

I finished this last night and really enjoyed it---for two reasons. 1---it was a great story with a believable plot line, likable characters, and a happy ending. 2---it was refreshing to see Beverly Lewis back in the game. The last two I read by her were highly disappointing with weird coincidental plot lines and holes in the story that left me frustrated.

One thing I enjoyed, as I do with many of her stories, is that Lewis makes it possible for me to get so wrapped up in the culture of the Amish that I don't realize what time period the story is actually taking place. Besides the reference to Omar wanting to vote for Reagan, you'd never know whether this took place in 1894 or 1984.

I've got her newest novel sitting on my desk to start show more sometime soon. After this redeeming book, I can get excited about it now! show less

The Photograph by Beverly Lewis is her latest Amish fiction book. It is 1980 in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Eva Esch lives with her sisters Frona and Lily in the family home. Both of their parents have passed away and the farm went to the youngest son, Menno (a pompous blowhard with a big head). Menno has been working the farm since their father passed away, but his family does not live on the farm. Menno has decided to take over the farmhouse and the three sisters cannot stay (can you believe him). Menno said that there would be room for one sister if she would agree to be his wife’s helper with the children (how considerate of him). Eva has helped support the sisters with her candy shop, The Sweet Tooth. Their father added the show more structure to the house when Eva was a young teenager and showed a gift for making confections. Menno considers it a nice hobby, but told Eva that she cannot expect to do it forever (you just want to slap him).

Lily is the youngest sister and she has been acting strangely since their mother passed away. The day after Menno announces he is going to move in, Lily is gone. She left a note stating she does not wish to stay Amish. She is going “fancy” and does not wish to be found. The family wants to find her as well as the bishop. They start sending out letters of inquiry to family and friends. Can they find Lily before it is too late?

Jeb is an apprentice buggy maker in Berlin, Ohio. He lost his fiancé, Lydiann a year ago. He had been hoping to take over his Uncle Ervin buggy business when he retired, but things have changes since a new apprentice has arrived. The new apprentice, Perry Hostetler is already a member of the church and has plans to marry. Just the type of person Uncle Ervin wants to leave his business to. Jeb had planned to join the church with his fiancé before their wedding. Uncle Ervin is sending Jeb to Pennsylvania to learn how they make their buggies (just for a week) from Jonas Byler. While on the train, Jeb discovers a copy of Little Women. It has notes in the margins about the book (he likes how thoughtful and insightful they are) as well as a photograph. He finds himself intrigued about the woman who wrote the notes (as well as the photo) and wonders if he will meet her. A couple of days later at an auction, Jeb is pleasantly surprised to meet the woman in the photo, Eva Esch.

Jeb and Eva get a chance to spend a little time together before he has to go home. But then he shows her the photograph. Will these two be able to overcome a misunderstanding (as well as a lack of communication)? Who will find Lily and will she be willing to come home? You will just have to read The Photograph to find out.

I enjoyed reading The Photograph. It is just a lovely book. It is well-written and makes the book so easy to read (the book just flows beautifully which makes it pleasurable to read). I did get frustrated by the lack of communication between people in the book. Speaking plainly would be so much easier than all the misunderstandings (and confusion). I also could not understand how a father could leave his daughters without a home or any provisions in his will (or even making sure that the brother would always give them a home). The brother who inherited can just walk in and toss them out. To me this seems to go against what we hear about the Amish (how they embrace family). Without these things, though, we would not have the book to read! I give The Photograph 4.5 out of 5 stars. I look forward to reading Beverly Lewis’ next book.

I received a complimentary copy of The Photograph from NetGalley and won a copy from the publisher through LibraryThing in exchange for an honest review. The review and opinions expressed are strictly my own. show less

The Photograph
Beverly Lewis

Book Summary: Eva Esch and her sisters are in a predicament. With the passing of their widowed mother, Eva's older brother Menno plans to move his growing family into the Eden Valley farmhouse where they all grew up, leaving little room for his three single sisters. Surely, Menno reasons, at least one of them will marry this coming wedding season. Eva does hope to marry, but she isn't sure she wants to give up her sweet shop for the life of a farmer's wife, and she has no other prospects. When younger sister, Lily, disappears in the night, leaving only a brief note, Eva fears she has been wooed away from the People by an outsider. And when Jed Stutzman, a young Amish buggy maker from Ohio, shows up in show more Lancaster with a photo of a Plain young woman, Eva's world begins to tilt. She feels powerfully drawn to the quietly charming stranger--but the woman in the forbidden photograph is no stranger at all. . . .

Review: I read Ms. Lewis’ newsletter where she made some comment about this was one of her personal favorites. I can honestly say that there is good reason for that. This story was riveting and I read it in one extended period of time. I found the characters to be so real I almost would expect to meet the if I were to go to the Lancaster area today. The time period was the 80’s and yet it could be today. I loved the main characters Eva and Jed while almost too perfect they were believable and lovable. The story was so seamlessly woven that I found I almost had to read it in a day to do the story justice. There was no long extended period of time occurring and things came together so effortlessly that I would have thought Ms. Lewis wrote it quickly, although from her newsletter it would seem the story was a long time coming. I am so glad that she was willing to share this story. It truly was ordinary and special all in one. The theme simple and magical. There is real tragedy all around both main characters and they do not down play the healing process, yet despite the tragedy this is not a story about weeping. There are many elements to the plot (loss of life, a wayward sister, uncertainty, and misunderstanding) and through it all I wanted the story to never end. I could go on and on but the best advice is dive in and see for yourself.

I would like to thank Net Galley and Bethany House Publishing for allowing me to read and review this book in return for a free copy and I was never asked to write a favorable review by anyone. show less

When her sister Lily disappears from their Amish community only a few months after their mother's passing, Eva Esch fears she has been wooed away from the People. Unfortunately, Lily's disappearance isn't the only concern for Eva and their older sister Frona. She and her sisters must relocate when their brother and his family take over the family farmhouse; where will they go? And will her only choice be to be marry, even though she is not ready?

Soon after Lily's disappearance, Jed Stutzmen, an Amish buggy maker from Ohio, shows up in Eden Valley with a picture of a Plain young woman, wearing Amish clothing, yet staring boldly at the camera. Eva feels drawn to the charming stranger, but the woman in the forbidden photograph turns out to show more be no stranger after all.

While this was an enjoyable story to read, I feel like I've read this same plot and storyline before. A lot of "bonnet books" (Amish fiction) are like that, especially if you've read as many of them as I have, but coming from the "Queen of Amish Fiction", I expected more from this author. I felt like this book was written just to "churn out another story" for the publishing company.

I won a free advance reader copy of this book from Library Thing. This book will be released for sale on September 8, 2015. show less

Eva Esch is grounded in her faith in God and her belief in her Amish community. The grief she feels with the sudden death of her father, and then just a few years later, when her mother, too, dies, is shared and lessened by the love of her sisters and one her mother's close friends. But when her brother Menno declares his intentions of taking over the family's home, her life is thrown into turmoil. Worse yet, her younger sister disappears. Now Eva must make some serious decisions. What can she do to find Lily? Should she marry someone she cares for but doesn't love just to have a place to live? Can she survive on her own if need be? And to complicate matters, a handsome man comes for a visit to her little community. Life may be plain show more for Eva, but it is anything but simple! Author Beverly Lewis has given us another interesting and entertaining Amish tale. A story of choices, of relationships, of family and trust in God, there are a few unexpected twists along the way to keep you wondering how it will all turn out. But whatever happens, you know it was meant to be. show less

I won this ARC through the LibraryThing Early Review Giveaway.
I have not read very many Amish books but I love Beverly Lewis' writing. It's clear, non-confusing with just the right amount of description and Amish language without bogging down the story. The Photograph is a sweet story of 3 unmarried sisters surviving after the deaths of their parents within a short time of each other.
The story emphasizes their love and obedience to God and the strong family commitment of the Amish while questioning the innocent desire for love; in the community and in the outside world.