The Atonement

I always enjoy Beverly Lewis' books, but this was one that took awhile to warm up to. I loved the message of redemption and forgiveness---the ending was sweet and respectful of Amish culture. In fact, that's one of the things I love about Lewis---her characters go different directions for different reasons---but in all instances, she has a great way of honoring the Lord, as well as respecting a culture that surely has some disagreeable practices.

The book was pretty slow moving, however. There wasn't a huge rise and fall in this one and it took too long to get to the point, in several cases. References to Lucy's "transgression" are too cryptic for too long. Readers unfamiliar with the Amish rules about shunning are going to have a show more difficult time understanding what's up because things aren't made completely clear until page 118. This wouldn't be so bad if the story required such secrecy---but it doesn't. This was way too long into the the story for a "revelation" that was easily guessed at only a few pages in. show less

A beautifully written Amish novel, The Atonement is a thought-provoking journey of healing, forgiveness and atonement by Beverly Lewis.

Lucy Flaud is dedicated to helping others. In between volunteering at a local hospice center, serving food to the homeless and organizing donations, she helps her older sister Martie with chores around her house. She keeps up with her work at home but her twin sisters Lettie and Faye feel a little neglected since Lucy spends most of her days away from the house. When her father Christian befriends Englisher Dale Wyeth, her longheld anger and guilt over a dreadful mistake from her past can no longer be ignored. As she and Dale form their own friendship, her parents grow concerned that history is repeating show more itself. A surprise request from Lucy's good friend Tobe Glick adds yet another complication to her life but this might just be the impetus she needs to finally make peace with her past.

Lucy has never forgiven herself for a misguided choice she made three years earlier. Her once close relationship with her father has also never recovered and she remains quite angry with him for the way he handled the incident. In an effort to keep her guilt and shame at bay, she throws herself into her charitable works and while she has made a difference in other people's lives, she still has a huge hole in her heart. Meeting Dale brings back all of the painful memories she has avoided dealing with but, as he helps her with a homeless girl she has befriended, Lucy begins to repair her fractured relationship with God.

While Lucy is making strides in regaining her floundering faith, her relationship with her dad remains troubled. She never dealt with her grief over a tragic loss and because she does not want anyone, including the rest of her family, to know about her ill-fated decision, no one ever discusses what happened. When Christian invites her to join a grief support group, Lucy is at first reluctant to join him but she eventually agrees to go to one meeting. Although she still cannot bring herself to talk about her pain, she is pleasantly surprised by how comforted she feels by the support of other people in the group. As her bitterness and resentment begin to fade, Lucy finally opens to her father about her feelings despite his reluctance to revisit old wounds.

The Atonement is a heartfelt and moving novel of faith, love, family and redemption. Beverly Lewis skillfully handles difficult subjects in a realistic and sensitive manner. Lucy's journey is gradual and occurs naturally as a result of her new friendships and an unexpected decision by a longtime friend. Watching her make peace with her past and regain her lost faith is gratifying and uplifting. All in all, a very heartwarming faith-based story that fans of Amish fiction are sure to love. show less

Lucy can’t seem to get past a mistake she made a few years ago. She feels unworthy and has dedicated herself to volunteering to help those in need. But while she says she is sorry and forgives others, she can’t quite forgive herself. This tale is thought-provoking and the characters are quite interesting, as is Lucy’s ultimate journey towards forgiveness and ultimately, happiness.

I'm surprised Beverly Lewis still has new stories to write about the Amish, but she never seems to run out of themes and stories. I think this is the first book I've read that had part of the book written from the dat's point of view, but that was good. Although some people might predict that Dale would become Amish and marry Lucy, it was better the way it ended.

The Atonement tells the story of Lucy Flaud and how she had devoted her life to volunteering and and trying to atone for mistakes of the past. Due to something that happened long ago, she no longer feels worthy of having a family and a normal life. Through her father, she meets Dale Wyeth, who is an Englisher. She soon grows closer to him and soon begins to realize that redemption and forgiveness is possible.
I felt bad for Lucy for feeling that there was nothing she could do and that others would not forgive and accept her for who she was. I was glad to see that she was able to open up and allow herself the opportunity to grow again.
I received this book from the publisher to review.

The Atonement
Beverly Lewis

Book Summary: he mistakes of the past haunt Lucy Flaud, who years ago stopped attending the activities for courting-age young people in her hometown of Bird-in-Hand. Now twenty-five and solidly past the age of Amish courtship, Lucy has given up any hope of marriage, instead focusing her efforts on volunteering in both the Plain and fancy communities of Lancaster County. Yet no matter how hard Lucy strives, she feels uncertain that she'll ever find redemption. Dale Wyeth has a deep mistrust of modern-day "advances" and the dependency they create. The young Englisher's interest in living off the grid is fueled further when he meets Christian Flaud, Lucy's father. Dale appreciates the self-sufficient ways of the show more Old Order Amish, and Christian invites him to learn more about them by staying at the family farm. As Christian and Dale grow closer, developing a father-son rapport, Lucy begins to question what Dale's being there might mean for her. Could God be testing her? Or is it possible that even the most unworthy heart--and two people from very different walks of life--can somehow find a new beginning?

Review: I love Beverly Lewis and her books. I liked Lucy and felt great empathy for her. She had a multitude of reasons to be lost. Even though there were problems within the family with decisions and communication I found that all were tolerable to really likable. The tension about families moving to Colorado and those staying was unique. I find that the story flowed smoothly from beginning to end. I enjoyed the secondary characters, although I would have liked Tobe to have been in the story more. While his character was forth right, he was so likable and well written. Not perfect, but a true gem of a character.
I would like to thank Net Galley and Bethany House 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. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. show less

The Atonement by Beverly Lewis is a new Amish fiction novel. Lucy Flaud is twenty-five years old and spends the majority of her time doing volunteer activities (a lot of them) around Bird-in-Hand, Pennsylvania. Lucy is trying to atone for a past mistake (is such a thing possible). Her father, Christian Flaud is grieving (after three years), but only his wife knows what he is truly grieving. Christian starts attending a local grief support group where he meets Dale Wyeth. Dale owns a local hardware store and is looking for a simpler life style (off the grid). Christian volunteers his assistance (to teach him) and Dale starts spending time around the Flaud farm. Slowly, Lucy gets to know Dale and they become friends. People are worried, show more though, that the friendship will lead to more. The family is experiencing some issues with the twins, Lettie and Faye. They are enjoying their rumspringa, but they are taking it too far (and the parents are afraid to step in for fear it will push the girls away from the Amish community). Lettie is also not helping matters by continually questioning Lucy (prying and causing trouble). How will things resolve for the Flaud family? When will Lucy learn that forgiveness does not come from deeds?

The Atonement is not my favorite Beverly Lewis book. It had a slower pace (the book went on way too long) that I did not enjoy. The Atonement had a good message (about forgiveness) and it is an easy to read novel. I just felt that it was lacking (not up to Beverly Lewis’ usual standards). This will not, though, stop me from reading the next Beverly Lewis book (I have read all of her books). I give The Atonement 3.5 out of 5 stars.

I received a complimentary copy of The Atonement from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest evaluation of the novel. show less