The River

by Beverly Lewis

Paperback, 2014

Status

Available

Call number

813.54

Publication

Bethany House Publishers (2014), 318 pages

Description

"When two sisters return home for a visit after leaving the Amish world, both are troubled by the secrets--and the people--they left behind"--

User reviews

LibraryThing member macnoid
I have read many Beverly Lewis books, and was very happy to receive one of her books this month. As usual, she doesn't disappoint! I read the book in one day…..it was a lazy summer day to lounge on the porch swing with a good book, and I couldn't wait to start this one. Rather than idealize the
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Amish and their way of life, Lewis portrays them as real people who face many of the same life issues as the non Amish. Family dynamics are explored as the story moves along, and the characters are developed. There is pain and hurt to be worked through, and ultimately there is reconciliation and forgiveness. Interesting also, is the glimpse into the Amish culture, and the reasons why some Amish make the choice to leave . As the book portrays, many who leave do not turn from their faith in God, but have embraced a more personal relationship with Christ and are active in living their faith. I really enjoy faith based inspirational books that point to Biblical principles as guidelines for how to live our lives, especially when we are facing difficulties. Lewis gets these points across quite well!
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LibraryThing member kykim
I am a huge fan of Beverly Lewis and her Amish books. Was very excited to get an ARC of The River by Beverly Lewis. Two sisters Tilly and Ruth have left their Amish roots behind to live fancy as their Amish family calls it. They have also left bad memories behind as well. Then they recieve a call
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from their brother inviting them to come home for their parents anniversary celebration and they decide to go. Tilly leaves her twin daughters with her English husband while she takes this trip with her sister, not sure how her family will react to them or her English husband - none of which they have yet met. There seems to be a lot of unresolved issues for both sisters as they go home and the past meets the present. Secrets have been kept hidden over the years can they be forgiven? One of my favorite bible verses that is quoted in this book has to do with forgiveness.

“For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: but if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Matthew 6:14-15 KJV

I read this in one day , as I found it to be a page-turner that I couldn't lay down. I highly recommend this book if you like reading a feel-good book.

I received a free copy of this book from Bethany House Publishing in exchange for my honest review rather it be good or bad. Thank you.

Look for this book on September 2, 2014
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LibraryThing member hope3957
This was another great book by Beverly Lewis. I always enjoy her Amish books.
I enjoyed the story of what had happened when the sisters have left their Amish upbringing. Secrets always have a way to come out. I really liked the way they were each forgiven. Ruth really had made the correct choice
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when she had left her beau in the first place.
I really enjoyed the family gathering. It was a very interesting time watching them come together with their opinions expressed in many different ways. I really enjoyed reading this book.
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LibraryThing member starbritejan
This book I could not put down! Read it in one sitting! I always really enjoy Beverly Lewis's books.This story shows how God's Love, Forgiveness and Grace always shines through!
LibraryThing member Bandings
I have read many of Beverly Lewis' books set in Amish country, and other Amish-themed books. The book "The River" stands out in that it features two sisters who have chosen to leave the Amish to become "Englischers" and their return to the home they grew up in at the invitation of their brother for
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the purpose of celebrating their parents' anniversary.

Often in Amish books there are characters who choose to leave the Amish for some reason. Most often, those people are shunned, and the story tells of the difficulties they face as being shunned. This story has a different twist. There is no shunning involved. Instead there is an attempt at reconciliation.

Sometimes when I've read a lot of one type of story or several by the same author, the books tend to kind of run together as they are so similar. "The River" will stand out in my mind because of the way Lewis weaves many different aspects of the lives of both the Amish and the Englischers.
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LibraryThing member passionforbooks
Touching and Heartwarming!

I hope everyone that reads this review gets a chance to read, The River. My wish is that everyone enjoys the good times in this story and mourns the bad times as I did. This story tugged on my heart. The emotions I went through and the tears I shed was cleansing. I was
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touched!

Author Beverly Lewis takes you on a trip to Eden Valley and places you in the Lantz family in such a way that you experience what each and every family member is going through. This family has some hidden secrets, holds unforgiveness, bitterness, pain, and hurt in their hearts.

Pick up a copy of this great read and let your mind and your heart take a trip to Eden Valley. I promise you, you will not be disappointed.

God’s Love, God’s Forgiving Way, God’s Mercy and God’s Grace shines through.

I want to add that I am a huge fan of Beverly Lewis. I have read all of her Amish fiction books. This one is by far one of my favorites.

I won this book on LibraryThing to read and review. The opinions expressed are mine alone.
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LibraryThing member mom2acat
Tilly Barrows and Ruth Lantz are two formerly Amish sisters, who each left the community for different reasons. They are still plagued by unresolved issues when they are called back home by their eldest brother Melvin for their parent's anniversary.

Tilly is married and the mother of two twin girls,
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and she is nervous about facing their father again; she feels that she has never been good enough in his eyes, and that he blames her for the drowning death of her 5 year old sister Anna nine years ago.

Ruth is still unmarried, still smarting from a failed courtship with her first beau, Will Kauffman. When she sees him again, it stirs up old feelings, and she wonders if she should consider rejoining the community.

As Tilly and Ruth struggle to find redemption and forgiveness, Tilly learns a long buried family secret.

I really enjoyed this story; I have read quite a bit of Amish fiction, and Beverly Lewis is one of my favorite authors, and I think this is one of her best. What really made this one stand out for me was the fact that it was not a romance story like so many of this genre are, but instead the focus was on family relationships.

This book will not be released until September 2, 2014, but I received a free advance readers copy from Library Thing. The opinions expressed are entirely my own and I was not required to give it a good review, just an honest one.
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LibraryThing member alekee
Tilly has tried to put her past behind her, she is happy now living with her husband and twin daughters. She still lives rather plain, but does live in the English world. She has one member of her Amish family living English near her, and enjoys Ruth and her new life.
Tilly was the black sheep of
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her Amish family; she blamed herself for the death of her baby sister Anna. When the note comes that the family is holding an anniversary party for her parents, she doesn’t want to go. Ruth also has decided they will not attend.
Then comes a call to Ruth about their Dad’s health, and their decisions are reevaluated, and both go home to face the family. Can’t even imagine, you feel almost split in two. Leaving behind your safe life, and wanting to see your family, but knowing how they feel about your leaving.
This is the story of secrets, forgiving, and a loving relationship with God. How life changes and feelings are soothed when we submit to God’s will, not our own. A very hard, fulfilling way to live, with God in the center, but will all be able to accept what he wants?
A different Amish story here, things are not always as they appear, and not just Tilly blames herself, others also feel responsible, and all need forgiveness. Will this family ever find peace, a locked room, a stolen cap, and an old love?
This is a great page-turner of a read, I wanted to find the answers to the clues that were offered, and what a surprise. Also the title of the book, and the effect that the River has on this story. Enjoy!

I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Bethany House, and was not required to give a positive review.
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LibraryThing member RobbyeFaye
The River by Beverly Lewis focuses on the lives of two sisters, Tilly and Ruth Lantz, previously of the Amish faith.

One day, Tilly receives a letter from one of her brothers, requesting she and Ruth return home to Eden Valley for their parents' anniversary get together. A few days later, the same
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brother calls Ruth, urging them to come home, because their father is very ill.

Tilly ran to avoid memories. She married an Englisher and has two daughters, twins Jenya and Tavani. She rebels at the thought of going back to Eden Valley.

Ruth left Eden Valley after the heartbreak caused by a philandering boyfriend. She is both excited and resistant to returning home.

Neither Tilly nor Ruth really want to return home. Both are happy and settled into their new lives, far from the Amish and Amish way of life. Going back would resurrect memories and hurts best left alone. Memories of sweet Anna, their baby sister, drowned at age five; memories of a father who never seemed satisfied with Tilly and memories of Ruth's boyfriend, who left her broken-hearted and bereft.

How will the sisters be able to fit into the Amish lifestyle again, even for a short period of time? They both love the ease of Englisher life and are reluctant to go; after all, it's not really like the Amish to have celebrations.

Finally, overcoming the roiling, disconcerting memories, Tilly and Ruth set off for a visit to Eden Valley. As the visit advances, things seem to have remained the same even though many years have passed. Tilly and her father still have deep issues, and Ruth's boyfriend wants to pick up where he left off when he broke her heart.

Through much soul-searching, painful honesty and openness, the sisters are able to resolve many issues before realizing they made the right choice leaving Eden Valley.

I received this book from LibraryThing in exchange for an honest review.
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LibraryThing member JaymeWill
I was very excited to receive Beverly Lewis’ new book, The River. I had heard it was coming out and read the summary of the book ahead of time. I really enjoyed this book. It is about two sisters who were raised Amish, but left the community for the “English” world. They now dress in pants,
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drive cars, and one sister is married to a non-Amish man. Both are happy with their choice and have no plans to return to the Amish faith.

Then the elder sister, Tilly receives a call from her brother asking both sisters to come to their parents’ anniversary celebration. After much debate, they decide to go back to their family for the weekend. The book has a good storyline, good character development, and some unsolved mysteries that to know the outcomes, the reader will have to finish the book. What happened to their dead sister nine years ago? Why does Tilly’s father despise her so much? Where does the river fit into the story? Over all, a very good Amish Fiction story.
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LibraryThing member AnneSteph
The River keeps you reading and wanting to know why... Tilly's relationship with her dad is the most painful and poignant aspect of this story. I think that it also mimics reality for many daughters from the Amish, as well as daughters from all backgrounds. Again we see pride rear its ugly head in
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this story. Tilly's father cannot let go--an aspect of the story that makes the reader hungry to probe for more. Tilly's pride is obvious as well, and as the reader, I marveled at their similarity-- which is often the case in father-daughter relationships, although this one turns out rather different. As the story unfolds you become aware of the deep pain and secrets that Tilly's mother, and entire family are suffering under. And here is the universal connection--suffering and holding on to our suffering. Regardless of one's denomination, as children of God we are told to let go. This is another crux of Beverly Lewis's writing that I enjoy. She most always illustrates the pull between justification by works and justification by faith. It is exceptionally tempting for us( so well illustrated in the Amish world of the "Ordnung") to believe we are in control and can by doing good save ourselves, rather than let go to Christ so that we may truly boast of nothing. This is a precious story of letting go and finding the outstretched arms of our loving savior waiting for us on the other side of our pride. Beverly manages to always remind her readers of the true Gospel.
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LibraryThing member drebbles
While sisters Tillie and Ruth have left the Amish and become English and built new lives for themselves, they still have mixed feelings about the family they left behind. Both are still mourning the loss of their youngest sister Anna who drowned. Tilly has always wondered why she couldn't get along
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with her father. Ruth is single and interested in Englisher but hasn't forgotten her courtship with Wilmer Kauffman. When they find out that their father is ill, they decided to return home to celebrate their parents’ anniversary. In doing so will they finally be able to make peace with the past?

Beverly Lewis is well known for her Amish fiction and “The River” is the perfect example why. It is a deeply layered novel featuring a family that loves each other but is troubled by past events and secrets which have been kept for years. While each sister’s story is compelling, Tilly’s touched me the most. Her struggles with her father were heartbreaking especially when readers finally learn the reason why the relationship is so strained. Compared to that, Ruth’s relationship with Will Kauffman, while interesting, felt like it could have been developed more. Haunting the whole family is the death of young Anna - this is extremely well-done especially as Lewis slowly reveals how it still affects members of the family. The family dynamics are what drives this book and makes it such a great read.

“The River” is the touching novel of a loving but troubled family. Well done.
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LibraryThing member mbarkman
5 stars ***** out of five
Contemporary Fiction

Do you want fiction novel that is not based on Romance?
It has been a while since I disappeared into one of Beverly Lewis' novels, but once again, she did not disappoint. I saw the Amish through new and delightful eyes ... from the view point of young
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women who had grown up in the lifestyle that many people who have not lived it now admire. Filly and Ruth never were baptized, and so they do not experience the shunning. What can the base do a novel be, if not romance? Forgiveness of oneself and moving on. The Conestoga River hovers in the background like a viable character in the story, as it is the scene from which the story carries on. Heartache comes to everyone at some point in life, and Beverly, through the use of vivid imagery, skilfully immerses the reader into the lives of the Lantz family. A fantastic book that I recommend to all readers, whether you are a fan of Amish or romance, this book will thrill you.

I received this book free from Emily Davies Robinson ant Bethany Books through their Nuts About Books program in exchange for an honest review. A positive critique was not required. The opinions are my own.
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LibraryThing member Books4Nana
The River
by Beverly Lewis

Can one truly 'Never Go Home Again'? In Beverly Lewis' newest book she brings us the life of two Amish sisters and their struggle to return home after leaving their family, homes and lifestyle to begin new lives in the modern world. An invitation to their parent's
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anniversary celebration bring Tilly and Ruth out of their comfort zone and to a place an important decision has to be made. An invitation has been extended to their parent's anniversary party. Why? They are not sure as they have not been home in years. Knowing a trip home will stir up old feelings, the kind best left alone, their initial thought is to decline. A call from their brother changes that and soon the girls are on a road.
Beverly Lewis is known for her storytelling about the Amish life. Her books have educated many, dispelling misconceptions about this quaint lifestyle. As we come to love her characters and are swept into her stories we see a people much like ourselves. Daily life, however is resplendent with differences. As Lewis weaves her story we begin to see in our mind's eye the farms, the kitchens, the quilting bees, and the home church.
The River, Lewis' newest book, is much like her other Amish fiction. While we are given no real surprises in her focus or how she delivers we are once again taken captive with her storytelling. As she brings her characters to life, we want to know them better and as she moves through her story leaving bread crumbs, we readily follow. Always intriguing. Always entertaining. It is impossible not to be swept into this story as we witness this family's response to tragedy, their facing of fears, their misconception of each other, their mistakes and their courage.
Lewis gives us a strong main character in Tilly allowing us access to Tilly's heart and mind. We hurt with her as she seeks love and acceptance. Lewis' development of her other characters leaves us guessing at times which seems to be part of keeping the suspense in the story.
I enjoyed this book and recommend it. I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
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LibraryThing member rjmoren
Good read about an Amish pair of sisters that never join the church. Their English ways significantly bother their Amish family. Tilly has not seen her family in nearly 8 years and for Ruth it has been 3 years. When their father's health declines, they are invited home for their parents'
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anniversary. They decide to go and Tilly discovers the truth about her father's treatment of her during her childhood. And to top that off, she and eldest brother Melvin discover they each have harbored guilt for their youngest sister's drowning.
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LibraryThing member barbjan10
Unsure of what the title “The River” had to do with an Amish story, my choice to read this book was easily made when I saw Beverly Lewis was the author. This story is written with twists and turns different from other Amish writings. The Point of View was about two Amish sisters who had left
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Eden Valley, Lancaster, Pennsylvania before their baptisms to live the “fancy” life – in the English world. The Conestoga River plays its part as the location where little sister Anna drowned one July afternoon leaving behind broken emotions on the entire family. Tilly blamed herself that she was unable to save Anna and locked her feelings deeply within. Tilly left her plain life behind – the memories of Anna’s drowning still raw and real. She couldn’t face seeing the Conestoga every day. She moved to Rockport, Massachusetts and eventually married Kris and gave birth to twin daughters, Jenya and Tavani. Tilly’s younger sister Ruth left for different reasons two years after Tilly. Will Kauffman had been courting her for a couple of years and suddenly jilted her. With damaged emotions Ruth sought Tilly’s help to move to Massachusetts.

In 1977, eight years since Tilly had left; the Amish family was planning an anniversary celebration for their parents, Lester and Sylvia Lantz. An older brother Melvin wrote a note to Tilly about their plans. Tilly and Ruth decided to ignore the invitation and not attend – until Melvin called Ruth and told her of the recent news that their father was very ill and needed a pacemaker. They reluctantly decided to go for the four day weekend. They were apprehensive about being accepted and dreading their time in Eden Valley for different reasons. For reasons unknown to Tilly, she and her father batted heads constantly and no love shown in Daed’s sternness toward Tilly. Ruth did not want to see Will. Particularly because she had a new love interest in her life, Jim Montgomery who was quite active in the church she and Tilly had joined.

Ruth planned to stay in her parent’s home, but Tilly decided it was best to stay with her favorite Uncle Abner and Aunt Naomi. The large Lantz family spread over Eden Valley included twins Melvin and Joseph, Chester, Sam and his wife Josie who had been Tilly’s best friend. The reunion did not go well at first mainly for Tilly – but wait – there is plenty to come!! Tilly had kept Anna’s kapp without telling her Mamm and decided she needed to risk the telling of that secret. It seems everyone had secrets and I wondered how the web would ever be unwound. Ruth sees Will again and resists him at first, but finally joins him for a meeting at his insistence. Uh oh, would she be tempted to return to the plain life? You will need to find that out by reading the book.

Unresolved issues and relationships continue to plague all concerned. It is not as though the sisters forgot the values and good upbringing they had, they remembered and still kept a deep faith In God. Unexpected circumstances complicated life even further when Daed had an attack and needed to spend time in the hospital. The sisters found out that their parent’s property had been deeded to Sam and plans were to move their Mamm and Daed into the Dawdy house. They decided to stay a week longer to help. Tilly moves to her parent’s house and sleeps in the Anna’s room where nothing had been changed since her death. It was there that Tilly discovered a box which holds a long kept secret. Now I must stop, because I’ll be telling you the entire story.

Let me just add that I felt much anger at the father for his treatment of Tilly. I speak from experience of a relationship close to me where the father treated his step-daughter in that manner. It is impossible to tolerate – only constant prayer will help. I was also angry with Mamm for allowing it. The truth will shock you, but good things begin to happen when God takes over. Ms. Lewis has indeed written a very intriguing story and I am thankful from a personal standpoint to have read it. There were some parts of the book that I deemed unnecessary to the story. Overall it was excellent and I congratulate Beverly Lewis for still coming through with new ideas after the numerous novels she has written.

I received a free copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my honest review.
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LibraryThing member gincam
Beloved Amish Fiction author Beverly Lewis spins a complex family tale in "The River". Beckoned by their brother, two formerly Amish sisters are invited to come home to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania for their parents' wedding anniversary celebration. Tilly has been gone for eight years, settling
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in Rockport, Massachusetts, and is now a happily married mother of twin daughters. Her sister, Ruthie, joined her in the same community a few years later, and established her own independent life. After much consideration, the sisters make the journey home. Tilly dreads the reunion with her father, whom she never felt approved of her, and she must also face "the river" which took the life of her young sister, Anna, so many years ago. Ruthie has her own hurtles to face, including her former fiancé, Will, who had broken her heart when their relationship failed. The sisters receive a mixed welcome--there are many issues to be resolved. A startling family secret will come to light, bringing with it the answers to many questions Tilly has wondered about throughout her life. Can Tilly and Ruthie blend their new way of life with the traditions of their past? Can their family find peace and healing through truthful revelations and the hope of forgiveness? "The River" is another lovely story from author Beverly Lewis.

Review Copy Gratis Library Thing
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LibraryThing member annaalvin21
I love Beverly Lewis books. Her writing keeps me interested at all times. This book is good knowledge on how forgiveness and family is possible at all times. If you like Amish Lit this is absolutely a good one.
LibraryThing member MandaT
I really enjoyed reading The River by Beverly Lewis. I thought the story was well written and quite interesting. I found myself wanting to learn more about the obscure history of the Lantz family. Why did two of their daughters give up being Amish to enter the outside world of the English? Beverly
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Lewis has done a great job drawing in her reader and keeping the reader's interest until the last page. I'd definitely recommend this one!
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LibraryThing member Lindz2012
This is a lovely book. It deals with several issues. This story is good as again. Beverly get you reader involves and keep you on in the book. It tell you the story about two sisters, Will Tilly and Ruth find their peace? Do They resolve their relationships? The family need to settle their issues
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with both sister that left the faith.

The sister find out their father is ill. It might be their last time for them to get together. There is a secret about one of the sisters that left. Their mother and their father are the ones that know what happen. Tilly finds out why she at odds with her father. They all have to deal with what happen at the river. It also heal some relationships in the family when they go to the River. I think this would be a good book for those that enjoy a little mystery though it does not have many but a few. One is the mystery is about their little sister. A another other with Tilly.
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LibraryThing member Maydacat
Two sisters who were raised Amish but are now “English” have returned to the old homestead to celebrate their parents’ wedding anniversary with the extended family. The relationship between the oldest daughter, Tilly, and her father has always been strained. The death of the youngest daughter
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by drowning and the fact that some blame Tilly for enticing her sister Ruth to the English world just adds fuel to the fire. Other complications in this tale include an unresolved romance between an Amish man and Ruth and the life-threatening illness of the father. Though this story had potential, I found that it was trite and superficial. The characters seemed two-dimensional and plot was predictable. Though it did explore familial relationships, it just wasn’t that well written.
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Language

Original language

English

Physical description

318 p.; 8.5 inches

ISBN

0764212451 / 9780764212451
Page: 0.5759 seconds