The Shunning by Beverly Lewis

I hadn’t really noticed the “Bonnet Books” that lined Christian bookshelves until I joined ACFW and from there I learned just how popular Amish fiction is.

Very popular.

Which I didn’t really understand. What is the fascination for Christian women to read about a specific group that is steeped in man-made ordinances and has little true understanding of the Bible? What I didn’t know is that apparently most of these books are modern-era, not historicals, making the question even more pronounced. What is so fascinating?

This weekend I found out that Amazon has a free Kindle for PC app that anyone can download (not just those with Kindles) and then on top of that Amazon has dozens of free books that folks can download. One of these books was The Shunning by Beverly Lewis. Aha! Here was my chance to maybe understand.

From Amazon.com

In the quiet Amish community of Hickory Hollow, Pennsylvania, time has stood still while cherished traditions and heartfelt beliefs have flourished. But a secret lies buried that could shatter the tranquility its inhabitants have grown to love. When Katie Lapp stumbles upon a satin infant gown in the dusty leather trunk of her parents’ attic, she knows it holds a story she must discover. Why else would her Amish mother, a plain and simple woman who embraces the Old Order laws, hide the beautiful baby dress in the attic? On the eve of Katie’s wedding to widower Bishop John, startling news staggers out of her anguished parents, and nothing prepares Katie for the devastation their confession brings. Feeling betrayed, Katie watches as the only life she has ever known begins to unravel, leaving in its wake a furrow of pain…and a future of hope.

Likely written in the mid 90′s the book is evidence of the criticism that Christian fiction received in its infancy – and deservedly so. The book felt like it had either been written very hurridly (where they didn’t have time to go back and make sure that everything lined up) or had been written over such a long period of time that Lewis began forgetting some of her details from earlier in the story. There were lots of moments were I was left scratching my head due to the timeline. There were also lots of exposition aka “telling” moments that could have easily been re-written into showing moments and times where as a reader I felt like Lewis was bashing me over the head trying to drive in a piece of Amish culture that she had just explained several pages before.

But… this was written in the infancy of Christian fiction (its come a long way in 15 years!) and it was Lewis’ debut adult fiction novel…..so….lets set aside the critique of the craft and talk about the story.

Because something kept me riveted to my computer screen from start to finish (minus the time for dinner). I adored Katie, and Rebecca, and the Wise Woman. I loved how Katie had the same problems as all the rest of us, despite growing up in such a completely different culture. I desperately want to get Books 2 and 3 in the series so I know how Katie’s story ends.

As I was falling asleep that night after finishing the novel, I reflected, again, on why these books are so popular and part of the reason hit me. Its because we “modern” women live such horribly busy lives that the thought of knowing how each day turns out (minus illness or emergancy) is quite attractive. I remember reading on my friend, Ardell’s, blog that many people are turning back to the Orthodox and “liturgical” churches because they crave the order presented there and not the chaos in our modern churches.

As I fell asleep I was determined to pray for the Amish people; in many ways they exhibit the way Christians are supposed to act; community, charity, forgiveness; but I fear too often they don’t know why they act in those ways. This book helped me not only to understand them, but the appeal we have for their lifestyle.

Who should buy the book: Well right now its free at Amazon.com – you have to download the Kindle for PC program first – so you should get it while its free. If its not free anymore and you are like I was – curious- concerning Amish Fiction, you should get it, its a pleasant enough read (though the ending IS a cliff-hanger).