The Shunning (The Heritage of Lancaster County #1)

by Beverly Lewis

Paperback, 2008

Status

Available

Call number

813.54

Series

Heritage of Lancaster County (1)

Genres

Publication

Bethany House Publishers (2008), Edition: Repack, 288 pages

Description

Fiction. Romance. Christian Fiction. HTML: 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. On the eve of her wedding, Katie Lapp hears startling news from her anguished parents. Nothing could have prepared her 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 but also a future of hope. The Shunning is the first book in a trilogy that re-creates the simple life of the Amish. Its themes of hope and reconciliation show us that even when we think we are far away, God's love is always present..… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member buckeyeaholic

UGGGHHHH!!! Getting through this was torture! But it was the only audio book that I had at work so....

A little science first...there are 2 types of traits; inherited & learned or nature vs nuture. Those we inherite through the genes from our parents (hair color, eye color) & those we learn from the

people around us (manners, ethics, skills). Dear Mrs. Lewis...Religion is not inherited.
If a Ukranian born baby is adopted & raised in the United States, they will not automatically speak with the accent of their motherland. A Jewish baby adopted by Aborigines will not automatically know that it was supposed to be Jewish. The same goes for Amish people. A child adopted into the Plain way of life cannot blame the fascination that she has for fancy things & music on the fact that she was born to an Englisher. If she has those yearnings it has nothing to do with her birth parents but rather a general liking for these things & being unsure about the relgion that she was raised in.
Sorry, but I didn't buy into anything this author was selling in this story. It was a shame too. There's a whole series & as I love reading about other cultures (& know some Amish & Dunkard families) I was very much looking forward to reading them all.
Funny thing though...I saw 4 books in another series by the same author today at a garage sale. The lady said she read the first one & was so dissappointed never read the others. She too had wanted to read the whole series.
I'll give you 1/2 star for writing it & finding someone to publish it & another 1/2 star for finding another publisher to put it on audio.

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LibraryThing member jessilouwho22

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.

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LibraryThing member hellonicole

The Shunning tells the story of Katie, a young Amish girl about to be married. But shortly before she makes a discovery that changes everything. The story seems to take a look at nature vs. nurture as the truth about Katie's birth is revealed. Not sure I agree 100% with what Beverly Lewis seems to

be portraying in the debate, Katie's actions don't necessarily sit well with me. But it is an interesting read nonetheless.

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LibraryThing member ark76

If you are planning to visit Lancaster or anywhere the Amish live, I highly recommned you read a Beverly Lewis book and this is a great place to start. She has many series and this first book in the Heritage of Lancaster County series is a sweet wholesome romance as well as a coming of age story.

The shunning refers to what happens when someone in the Amish community doesn't abide by the "rules"of the communit and refuses to confess. A young Amish woman must try to decide if following the rules and expectations of her family and everyone she knows and values is worth giving up her dreams (music) and marrying a man she respects but does not love.

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LibraryThing member pandareads

You know Amish novels are my guilty pleasure and this was one of the best Beverly Lewis novels I've read. I wanted to read it soon because Hallmark made a movie from the novel that's premiering on April 16th and I wanted to have read the book before seeing the movie.Katie Lapp has struggled with

her Amish heritage for as long as she can remember, often wanting to just indulge in a simple song. After her beau dies tragically, she struggles even more despite the fact that she's engaged to the bishop in her town. The bishop! It's a big deal. Life gets even more complicated when she finds a fancy baby gown in her parents' attic, too fancy to be from an Amish child. Soon she must come to terms with her past and figure out what to do with her future.The novel was a very good and quick read, I read it in an afternoon. Things really got interesting about halfway through and I just plowed through the end. I can't wait to see what Hallmark does with the story in their movie.Of course, the whole thing ended with a cliffhanger and thus the potential for Katie, who suffered with herself so much in this novel, to find happiness. I was hoping just this once I could get away with reading just the first book in a series, but no, now I have to get the second book, The Confession.

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LibraryThing member Robin661

The Shunning
Beverly Lewis
This is the first book by Beverly Lewis I read. I enjoyed this story and was able to read all of the series quickly since I was a late comer to the series. It started me reading all of her series. I enjoyed the series and found it well written and highlights the best in a

people. It is definitely written by someone who has a great love for these people. I have to say that it is a simpler lifestyle that resonates with me most and I acknowledge that I prefer a slower pace. I will keep going back to this simpler life in books.

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LibraryThing member GrannyNanny

I love reading the stories of the Amish. Their lifestyle is so simple and less complicated. Being shunned however would be very difficult to go through. I've read several of these series but I think my most favorite is Abrams daughters.

LibraryThing member Robin661

This is the first book by Beverly Lewis I read. I enjoyed this story and was able to read all of the series quickly since I was a late comer to the series. It started me reading all of her series. I enjoyed the series and found it well written and highlights the best in a people. It is definately

written by someone who has a great love for these people. I have to say that it is a simpler lifestyle that resonates with me most and I acknowledge that I prefer a slower pace. I will keep going back to this simpler life in books.

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LibraryThing member spellfone

I had never read a book in this genre before, and The Shunning caught my attention for some reason...I have to admit, I was expecting to feel proselytized, but I was pleasantly surprised that 90% of the book can be read by the most secular of us as a gentle and entertaining piece of anthropological

fiction. I, like many, saw the "surprise" at the end a mile away, but I was still very excited to see that I was right all along! I don't think I will spend any time reading the rest of the series, but this was a fun easy read, so I finally understand why it (and its counterparts) are so popular at my library.

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LibraryThing member KamGeb

I could not get into this book. I didn't really like the characters. And I guess I was hoping to read about Amish people who love being Amish. Also the ending was a bit bizarre.

LibraryThing member Maydacat

Katie has tried to embrace her Amish faith and the ways of the ordnung, but it has always been a struggle for her. Just before her marriage to the bishop, she discovers some upsetting news that explains why, at least to her way of thinking. But others don’t agree, and she has been shunned for her

behavior. Distraught by losing everything she knows yet still unable to fully commit to the Amish ways, she leaves her family and the only home she ever knew. Author Beverly Lewis has penned an interesting conundrum in this first book of the trilogy. The characters are quite well developed, and the problems they face because of a decades-old secret illustrates just how impossible it is to keep past actions buried.

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LibraryThing member SheriAWilkinson

The Shunning (The Heritage of Lancaster County, #1) by Beverly Lewis

Set in an Amish community of Hickory Hollow Pennsylvania, twenty-two year old Katie Lapp wants a good life. She is set to marry the Bishop who is widowed, much older than her with children. She feels a bit disconnected (and is)

still longing for her true love, who suffered a tragic death. Then she discovers a family secret which sets in motion events that will drastically change her life.

A fascinating story of one young woman, who just wants happiness. I was able to connect with Katie on her thoughts, emotions and feelings, I truly wanted her happy. I did enjoy reading of a different culture/religion/society than my own. This is my first Amish story, at times I was a bit angry with the community. Overall I enjoyed The Shunning and recommend to those that like Amish stories. I look forward to reading more by Beverly Lewis.

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LibraryThing member witchyrichy

The Kindle has ongoing challenges that last for three months at a time. They track the number of books and days that you read. They also require certain categories with suggested books to read. A recent one was page to screen, and after browsing their suggestions, I decided to try out Beverly

Lewis, who was born and grew up in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, not far from where I grew up. Her Heritage of Lancaster County series tells the story of an Old Order Amish community located in the fictional Hickory Hollow. In The Shunning, we meet Katie Lapp and her family, friends and community members as they prepare for Katie's wedding to the church bishop, the man with ultimate authority over the community. Katie's discovery of a small, satin baby's dress changes everything. The story continues in The Confession and I am looking forward to the third book, The Reckoning.

Lewis creates an authentic picture of Old Order Amish life. Her descriptions of Lancaster County capture its landscape of rolling hills and neat farms. She obviously respects and loves the Amish people, getting beyond the stereotype to show their human struggles, even as she is critical of the strictures placed on them by their leaders that are not always Biblically based.

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LibraryThing member classyhomemaker

I read this for the first time in about 15 years and was surprised at the difference between her current works and this first one written over 20 years ago. She's definitely got a different style here. In many cases she tells the reader what to think about the characters' personality traits, as

opposed to her later works where she leaves us to form our own opinions about them. I was really surprised by her discussion and allusions to intimacy---very much not a thing anymore. This was the first Lewis I read and I remember being fascinated by the new-to-me Amish. For all the criticism I've given her most recent works, I've got to say I've got a more positive perspective now as I believe she's definitely improved over time.

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