3 1/2 stars"These days, my thoughts, even my convictions, seem to shift with the fickle hues of a Pennsylvania sky...a blending of what was true for me as the young preacher's daughter with what I now see and know. Is there no way to blend my opposing desires? Will I ever understand all of the shades of goodness, faith, and even someday, love?"Annie Zook grew up in an Old Order Amish community in Pennsylvania and is the only daughter of a Preacher. At twenty years old, Annie is reaching adulthood in the church and must decide if she will make the life-long devotion and be baptized into the Amish faith. Her long-time beu, Ruby Esh has recently broken off their relationship because she could not make a commitment to the church. Annie wants desperately to please her parents, but her secret love of art is holding her back. Art is a forbidden activity by the Amish and Annie has bad to hid her talent since she was a young girl. She has a hidden studio in her cousin Julia’s attic where she can create her masterpieces, but if she is found out, Annie will have to leave the church, her family, and the only live she’s ever know.Louisa Stratford has been Annie’s pen pal since the girls were very young. They have never meet, but have become over close over the years and share their thoughts, secrets, and love of art. Louisa is an art teacher from a very well to do family. Against her parent’s wishes, she has recently broken off her engagement to her fiancé Michael and is looking for an escape from her life. She contacts Annie and asks if she can stay with her Amish family for a while. Annie’s family agrees and Louisa is thrown into the “simple life” of the Amish that is very different from her own. Dealing with decisions of her own, Louisa must also help Annie decide which path is right for her.I have not read many Christian Fiction novels, but this book was generally enjoyable. The dialogue seemed a little forced at times and the plot was somewhat lacking, but I would assume that this is true for most novels in this genre. The author brought a unique environment to life in regards to the Amish community and I was interested to learn that her mother was from an Amish background. The conflicts that Annie faced when deciding between her people and her love of art seemed very realistic and I enjoyed the contrast of her live with that of Louisa’s.See my full review and others here: http://onceuponatime-bookblog.blogspo...
From my book review blog: www.addbookreviews.blogspot.comThis story is about an Old Order Amish girl in her late teens, Annie Zook. The main story line in the first book of this trilogy focuses on the experience of bringing Annie’s “fancy” (not Amish) pen pal to stay at her family’s peacock farm for a while. It was really interesting to read about the “fancy” girl’s experience of adjusting to the “plain” life. Also, this first book focuses on the Annie’s indecision about choosing between the art she loves (which is strictly prohibited by her Ordnung and preacher-father) and joining the Amish church. What I like most about this story is the genuineness of the characters. Sometimes Lewis’s work can seem cheesy to me, but considering that she’s writing from the perspective of a very conservative young Amish woman, I don’t have a hard time believing that the character of Annie would really act, speak and think in this somewhat “cheesy” way. I also thoroughly enjoy reading about other faiths, especially ones that I know virtually nothing about. Because Lewis’s mother was part of an Old Order Amish family, I don’t feel like I have to worry about whether what I am reading is actually correct in terms of the faith. I don’t take everything she writes and assume that it is true for all Amish people, but I enjoy the insight she brings readers about the Amish community and lifestyle. The ending of the first book definitely made me want to get my hands on the second book in the trilogy even faster.While this novel is a bit slow in some places, I would still recommend it. I think this book is best suited toward Christian women, but could easily be enjoyed by anyone that has an interest in the Amish culture or the pressures of being a preacher’s daughter. I’m not sure whether this book would be good for any specific analysis, as I didn’t read it for that purpose. I’m currently reading the second book of this trilogy, The Englischer, which is about a “fancy” young man Annie meets living in her Amish community. It’s interesting so far!
What do You think about The Preacher's Daughter (2005)?
Having lived in Wayne County in Ohio for 15 years, I have had some experience with the Amish and had heard about these books but never picked one up until it was on the freebie shelf at the library. Funny thing is now I live near Lancaster, Pennsylvania - so both places were mentioned in the book. I had to laugh when Annie mentioned the hitching post outside Walmart (at least I think it was Walmart)because I could visualize it from the hitching post at the Walmart in Wooster, Ohio where I used to live! Too funny! The Harrisburg Airport was also mentioned and I have been there several times too! Love when I can read about places I am familiar with in real life!The story was decent but at times I felt some of the details just weren't there - such as the skeleton of the young boy that was found and the whole situation with Zeke. In my mind, I personally feel Zeke was connected to his brother's death but the story never went there. I also really don't understand completely why Esther was shunned in the book. Also, what happened exactly with her relationship to Zeke. Just a lot of under-developed loose ends. What about Annie and Ben?I may or may not read more by this author.
—Jodi
This book is a soap opera with an Amish setting. I like to read fiction about the Amish and their lifestyle, and this book, while well written and well characterized, gave a very hollow view of Amish life and preached a mainstream Jesus message. The author is not Amish, but has lived near an Amish community. I prefer Carrie Bender's books. Carrie Bender is Amish and writes fiction (instead of quilting) in the winter. Her books actually have more religion in them, since thought and religion seem to be combined for many Amish, but don't feel preachy. Carrie Bender also is a less conventional writer and her style varies from the mainstream, probably because she doesn't read much genre fiction so she is occasionally weak on plot construction. Anyway, I found Beverely Lewis' supposedly insider view of Amish life to be vaguely distasteful and 'English', as the Amish call those of us outside of their religion.
—Laura
In the midst of a busy life a book about the Amish can be a simple pleasure and this one is no exception. Two young women, one Amish and one modern, are torn between their love of art and family expectation as they plan their future. The two women are funny, interesting and strong and both question the life they had lived and their hope for the future.I've read a number of novels about the Amish but this was the first one to tackle the dark side of the submission of women and spousal abuse. The ending left a few things dangling and I hope the next book in the series brings closure to some of them.No sexNo violence
—Patricia
