|
|
 |
The Brethren (Annie's People Series #3) |
| |
|
|
Author:
Beverly, Lewis
By Bethany House Publishers
Average Customer Rating:  
List Price: $19.99
Our Price: $3.36
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Product Description
Annie Zook, the Amish preacher's daughter, is caught between two worlds. Living with shunned friend Esther, Annie longs to return to her forbidden art and the idyllic days spent with Englisher Ben Martin, before her father ordered her never to see him again. Stunned when family secrets come to light, Ben determines to solve the mystery of his past. Will his future include Annie--or will the Brethren always stand between them?
|
|
I love Beverly Lewis's books!, 2008-12-09
I have read nearly all of Beverly Lewis's books. I loved the "Annie's People" series but I have to say my favorite has been the "Abram's Daughter's" 5-book series.
The Annie's People series is a close second. Ms. Lewis does a fantastic job of bringing us into the Amish world in the 21st century and what that kind of life is like, esp for the young people who see the "English" world and its bells and whistles and have to choose between The People and the world.
I would have given "The Brethren" 5 stars if the dialogue of the "Englishers" didn't seem so forced at times, with Louisa's and Courtney's characters sounding kind of stereotyped.
Also, the ending, to me, was a bit unsatisfying (I won't spoil the ending!!); everything just seemed to get all wrapped up so neatly, too neatly.
Overall, though, this was great. When I tell my friends I'm reading Amish fiction, they think I'm ready for the old folks' home, but Ms. Lewis's books have very, very good story lines and even suspense to them. I love learning about the Amish culture and especially, I'm grateful to her for Christian literature that isn't so formulaic. I don't feel the characters are pie in the sky; they have real struggles living out their Christian faith. It's gut!
Thanks Ms. Lewis!!
A readable and uplifting story. , 2008-07-19
Beverly Lewis writes with a gentle hand to portray characters as they might behave toward one another and work through life's challenges. I always enjoy her books.
Read it because there was nothing else to do, 2007-11-16
If you're an adoptive parent, or an adopted child, there's a good chance this book will really insult you. There are several mentions of Ben's endeavor to find his "real family," i.e., the Amish people he was taken from. The overall portrayal of his search is like a return to his purer self, his true self. What the bleep? So adoptive families are not true families? Adoptive parents are just secondary mother and fathers, not nearly as good as the biological ones?
I found that part of the plot very narrowminded and ignorant. I suppose it served as a device by which Ben and Annie could finally be together, without her leaving her People altogether. But this really bothered--no, DISTURBED--me.
I bought this book in a grocery store in an isolated mountain community, because my husband and I were staying in a cabin in the middle of nowhere with not much to do. There wasn't much selection, so I picked it up. I am not Christian, but I am openminded to it and didn't mind all the heavy religious overtones and messages. The book had me wanting to find out what would happen, and keep turning the page. But the part about Ben being reunited with the people whom he truly belongs with--what malarkey. It completely ruined it for me.
There are too many kids in need of good homes, and too many people aching for children but unable to conceive so wanting to adopt; we don't need this BS mindset being spread that blood is thicker than water. Anyone is lucky to be raised in a good home with a loving family--no matter what DNA is in common.
The Brethren ~ Reviewed, 2007-10-01
In The Brethren, the third and final book in the Annie's People series, Beverly Lewis continues to give her readers what they have found irresistible in her previous best-selling books. Set amongst the Amish in Paradise, Pennsylvania , the book opens with main character Annie Zook at odds with her strict father, preacher Jesse Zook, and living away from home. The fact that she has chosen to stay with her banned friend Essie (Esther Hochstetler) to help look after Essie and Zeke's four children while Zeke is being held in jail after confessing to a murder makes the rift all the more galling to the elder Zook.
As is typical in Lewis's books, more than one serpent has found its way into the Amish paradise. Under the settlement's idyllic surface are misunderstandings, grudges, and secrets that even strict rules and authoritarian leaders can't keep hidden forever. The result is a twisty plot that raises questions like did Zeke actually commit that murder, who is Ben Martin really, and will Annie make peace with her father and remain a plain woman or follow her heart to pursue her beloved art and become the fancy wife of her English beau?
Characters play an important part in this story. (As someone who hasn't read the first two books in the series, I must admit the large cast of them, many of whom were introduced in earlier volumes, had me a little confused, though with close attention I got them all straight.) Main character Annie is a vital young woman who doesn't always understand herself, is impulsive and strong willed yet hard-working, thoughtful, and kind. Zeke, in his mentally disturbed state is an interesting study. Preacher Jesse Zook seems the most complex character. While unyielding in his rigid stance toward Annie, he is demonstrably tender with his wife and shows a largeness of character at the end of the book that took me by surprise. Off-site characters Lou and Ben provide an interesting non-Amish viewpoint of Paradise.
The setting is also integral to these books about the Amish. Lewis, obviously familiar with their home and farm routines, describes these in satisfying detail, giving readers a sense of living in this picturesque and simple place. Yet even here progress is making inroads - though the juxtaposition of cell phones and automobiles with Amish life did feel a little bizarre. Lewis introduces just enough Amish-isms into the conversation of her Paradise characters ("Wonderful gut," "purty," "Ain't so" etc) to keep them feeling authentic throughout.
Romance is woven through this book, as is the exploration of other relationships - parent-child and husband-wife. The ability and willingness of the Amish to forgive is a theme that plays a big part in the resolution of several of the story's threads. As is typical in Lewis's books, the Christian faith and its outworking is also a theme that remains front and center. In The Brethren there is a clash of the Amish belief system versus beliefs more in sync with a personal and literal interpretation of the Bible. Various characters risk being misunderstood and even banned by turning to evangelical ways. In the end, Lewis seems to come down on the side of having both - the outward simple lifestyle plus a personal though secret faith, as expressed by Annie and her beau: "They'd made a secret pact, vowing to live out their days with their eyes fixed on the Lord Jesus."
If you've read the other two book in this series, The Preacher's Daughter and The Englisher, you'll not want to miss this conclusion to the story. If you haven't read any Beverly Lewis before, this book is certainly representative of her popular storytelling style - a style that has seen previous books in this series, and this one, achieve a place on such prestigious bestseller lists as The New York Times and USA Today.
Violet Nesdoly
http://vnesdoly.blogspot.com/
A very good read, 2007-05-18
I love all of Beverly Lewis' books, and this is no exception. This is the third book in her latest series. I never thought I'd enjoy reading fiction about Amish people. I like to read fast-paced, exciting stories, and these books don't exactly fall into that category. Until I got used to her style of writing, it was a little slow-going. After a while I found myself becoming so involved in the story developing that I couldn't put the books down. I always look forward to the next new one. I'm hooked!
|
|
Binding: Audio CD
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.54
EAN: 9780764202339
Format: Abridged
ISBN: 0764202332
Label: Bethany House Publishers
Manufacturer: Bethany House Publishers
Number Of Items: 3
Publication Date: 2006-10-01
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
Studio: Bethany House Publishers |
|
