| Summaries and Customer Reviews are supplied by Amazon.com SOAP::Data=HASH(0xb592134) Average Customer Rating: What an awesome triolgy! | Customer Rating: | | I just love Beverly Lewis! I have read most of her books, and this series is probably my favorite! Nellie is a beautiful character with dilemas most of us can relate to! Lewis is so knowledgeable about the Amish...its nice to see them correctly portrayed! | SHAM | Customer Rating: | | I NEVER RECEIVED MY BOOK. NEVER RECEIVED AN ANSWER BACK FROM SELLER AFTER EMAILING THEM. NEVER RECEIVED REFUND YET FROM AMAZON.COM. NOT HAPPY AT ALL. WOULD'VE RATED BELOW 1 STAR IF SYSTEM WOULD'VE LET ME. | The Parting | Customer Rating: | | It's so refreshing to be able to pick up a book and read without all the trash that I find in most books. Anyone can enjoy reading these books, Young and old alike. | A MAN'S OPINION: A 5-STAR WARNING: READ THIS NOW BEFORE YOU BUY | Customer Rating: | Okay, the "five-star warning" is simply the fact that if you buy this "Book 1" of "The Courtship of Nellie Fisher" series, you will have to buy two more books. But you will enjoy doing it, for sure and for certain, the series by this leading Christian Fiction author, Beverly Lewis, is "wonderful-good".
From a male point of view: I enjoyed immensely reading of the division that happened in 1966 within the Amish community. The Old Order split as men and women of that faith began individual reading of the Gospel books and found grace, a previously ignored portion of the Bible. Men, women, even entire families, began thinking of God differently than what was allowed by the "rules of the Ordnung" as directed by the Amish Bishop. The struggle of faith and allowable worldly possessions (electric, tractors, cars) is a most interesting, yet historical, segment of this book.
There is a budding romance between Caleb Yoder (Old Order family) and Nellie, a young member of the Fisher famil--leaning toward a New Order. The book offerss a great deal of insight into how the youth of the Amish Order conduct themselves in "Rumschpringe", wild oat-sowing years. Also described are particulars of Amish courting & Amish weddings. Quite educational--more than just a romance. But plenty of sweetness from Nellie, the 19-year-old baker of Nellie's Simple Sweets.
Suzy, the youngest of Nellie Mae Fisher's family, died by drowning only a few months prior to the story's beginning. Rumors fly as to her activity and spiritual condition at the time of her death. Has she shamed the family? Has she abandoned the faith? What is in her diary that she made Nellie promise to burn upon her death? Did she know she would die? Did she want to die? Is Nellie to blame? How will Susy's death influence decisions of the Amish church leaders? How will it influence her family? Will Susy ultimately come between Nellie and her beau?
Those questions and more will cause pauses/delays in reading "The Parting" quite difficult, for sure and for certain. So you're ready to buy this book, jah? I could have guessed. Remember to order Book 2, "The Forbidden," and Book 3, "The Longing," as well--saves postage.
This genealogy-family tree will help. Rueben & Betsy (age 47) Fisher had 9 kids. Twin boys first (age near 30). Thomas married Esther; Jeremiah married Fannie [Jeremiah Jr.]. Ephram married Maryann [begetting Katie, Becky Sadie, plus a couple]. James married Martha [Benny(1st), Emma(2nd), Jimmy (3rd), & Matty (4th)]. Benjamin, the youngest son, was married. After 5 boys came 4 girls; the perfect order of things according to an Amish farmer/father. Rhonda(21), Nan, Nellie Mae(17), and last was the deceased Suzy, only 11 months younger than Nellie. Noah (Dawdi) & Hannah (Mamma) were Reuben's parents.
That should help through all 3 books and have a "wunnerbaar-gut" time, be ye an Englischer or Brethren, jah? | Beverly Lewis | Customer Rating: | | My #1 choice for reading. Her heart is in what she writes and I appreciate all the feeling and love that her stories show. | | |