I'm a sucker for all things Amish. I don't necessarily regret reading this book, but it certainly wasn't what I expected. I marked it as just "okay" because the story itself is dull, the characters don't shine and are somewhat one-dimensional and contradictory, but the insights into Amish culture are interesting, if one is so fascinated by this group as I am.Katie Lapp is a 22 year old Amish (Plain) girl who lives with her parents and two older brothers (one older brother is married and lives away) and is planning a wedding within a week to a Bishop in the Amish church. He is a widower in his forties with five children and basically needs a mother for them. Since Katie, at 22, is considered "old" by Amish standards to be getting married for the first time, people figure she better grab up Bishop John's proposal before she's ancient.Katie struggles with the "sin" of hearing music and being drawn to "worldly songs". The only singing that is allowed is the Singing of Hymns, and even then they must be slow and reverent hymns. Instruments are forbidden. At some time a few years back, Katie was in love with a liberal-thinking Amish boy named Daniel who had a wicked guitar. Together they would write songs and make up tunes, and Daniel shared with Katie that he had been sneaking off the Farm to a Bible study. Daniel drowns in the sea. Katie is devastated. She reluctantly accepts Bishop John's proposal. She doesn't WANT to marry him, or really be Amish, so she struggles (internally, through the whole book) with what she wants and what has been drilled into her head her entire life. Katie is rummaging in her parents' attic one day and finds a satin rose=colored baby dress with a girl's name embroidered in it. When she confronts her mother, her mother faints. Katie begins to piece together why she struggles with being drawn to music, or why she has auburn hair and everyone else in the community is blond, or why she was born in a hospital when everyone else is just born at home. No spoilers, but the book does end with a cliffhanger. So therefore, I had to find the sequel, even though I can easily see where this is going. The entire Amish belief system, the shunning process, the strict rules and order, are somewhat fascinating.The entire book takes place within a week. It's a pretty fast read, and somewhat predictable. But I'm not so turned off from the book that I haven't already started reading its sequel "The Confession". *sigh* Those addicting Amish.
This was a good book, and I'm glad I read it. I find Amish culture fascinating, so this book offered insight into a topic I've always wanted to read and learn about. Was this the best work of literature I've ever read? No. Frankly, I thought this book was pretty predictable. I saw the *surprise* ending coming from a mile away. However, I thought this was a nice, leisurely read, and I enjoyed the emphasis on the simple pleasures of the lives of the Plain people. At first, I was a little frustrated with the fact that it's not very fast-paced, which I've come to expect from books I enjoy. After some thought, I realized that the story of an Amish community shouldn't be fast-paced because, in all reality, the lives of Amish people aren't fast-paced. I think the amount of time and care Beverly Lewis has put into this story and its research is very evident, which makes the story all the more charming. I loved that she created characters that I ended up caring about. I was pulling for Katie the entire time. Although I wasn't sure at first, I can definitely say that I'm going to read the other two books in the trilogy. **8/11/10 Re-readUpon re-reading this, I actually enjoyed this book a lot more, even going so far as to bump up this up a star. I connected more with the characters on this go, so I was able to feel more emotionally invested in the story. One thing that I particularly enjoyed this time was that I was able to feel for each of the characters. Before, I was all about rooting for Katie, and therefore, I dismissed anyone else's part in the story. This time, though, I really felt for everyone. I'm also really anxious to start the next book. I really want to find out what happens to Katie. That being said, I still found the writing rather predictable and at some points mediocre. Really, I would not recommend reading this unless you're in the mood for a simple, predictable, romantic, Hallmark/Lifetime-esque book. Overall, I had a much better time with this book after reading it for the second time.
What do You think about The Shunning (2000)?
I like the phrase 'compelling story'. True, it's used so much it could almost be a cliche, but I can't think of a better way to describe this book. I love hearing about people, especially when their lives are so vastly different to my own and that's definitely true of the people in this book. The story also reminded me of two old TV shows I still love, the Waltons and Little House On The Prairie. It's blatant escapism but there's a lot to be said for reading about a simpler time, especially when life these days gets as complicated as it does. Anyway I don't see much wrong with taking a break from modernity sometimes. Just like a holiday in the country. All in all a lovely story that I'm glad I read.
—Simon Cowan
This series doesn't have as much detail on the Old Order Amish lifestyle as the Annie's People series had. It is mostly about an Amish woman who just hasn't felt like she fits in. She's had all these longings for things that aren't allowed. Throughout the book the reason for these longings comes out, and it changes her life.The idea of Shunning seems pretty awful to me. If someone who has joined the church does something against the Ordnung (the underwritten rules of the church), the membership of the church discusses it and decides if the person should be shunned (ignored--not even their family can speak to them without being at risk of being shunned as well). At one point the book talked about the idea being that the person will long to be back with the people that they'll "give up their sins" and repent because it is so awful being shunned by everyone. It just seems so harsh. If there truly is a sin, it is a nice idea that the person will give it up in order to be able to be with their loved ones, but it just doesn't seem like shunning is the right way to bring about change. The shunned person is so desperate for their family and friends to look at them and speak to them. It just seems like it'd be better for them to love the "sinner" back to their church instead of torturing them back. Apparently different sects of Amish have different rules. It's hard to understand these rules, and I found myself agreeing with some of the characters who bring out the difference between God's rules and the rules of men. It is interesting that the rules of the Old Order can be so different for each group, and that if they're not written down that over many years and depending on who is the bishop at the time, things might change slightly.I'm not sure the author really puts the Amish in a great light in her books. Most of the books have been about some Amish character in one way or another that finds problems with their church and wants to leave (or does leave). Any that do leave find a belief in God through friends or family in other churches, and through the Bible.Anyway, very interesting book, with lots to think about.
—Andrea
5 Stars!Excellent writing with an interesting story line.I truly enjoyed this read, being it was my first Amish book I've ever tried. I don't know much about the Amish community or their beliefs and such, just hearsay, so it was quite nice actually learning something new.In this story, you meet Katie Lapp, a young Amish woman who has only known her Amish friends and family and how to be a respectable Amish Woman. She finds a satin baby gown in her parent's attic one day and it troubles her to find this lying in secret. She wants to know why they have such a beautiful piece of clothing, when the Amish are plain. What she doesn't realize is that the baby gown represents something from her past she may or may not want to know...... Katie has always wanted more in life than being Amish. She wants beautiful things and wants to sing. She keeps most of this in, however, because to want these things is not right in the eyes of God, according to the Amish. Will Katie soon find out things that make her life better in the end? Or will she continue on her sinful ways and risk being "shunned" but the community? I will say, there's no way I could ever be Amish..... I am a Christian and I believe in God and Jesus, but the way they worship and believe is quite extreme!!! But, it was still enjoyable to learn about the Amish beliefs and their way of living.Anyway ~ I definitely enjoyed this book and can't wait to pick up the second in the series to find out what happens. Considering, this book kind of had a SHOCKING event at the end ;)
—Hayley
