I finished the book this morning.
If you're looking for Christian reading material, then I recommend Betrayal, by Beverly Lewis. I normally read mystery and/or thriller type novels, but decided to try Beverly Lewis for something different.
The story is full of observations about the Amish culture. The prevailing message throughout the book is that you are saved by the grace of God and not by works. I like the characters of Sadie, Leah and Lizzie for different reasons. I found myself pulling for Leah throughout and feeling disdain for Sadie. Toward the end, empathy for Lizzie grew stronger.
Maybe it's just me being overly sensitive, or maybe I missed the point being new to Beverly Lewis, but I found the character of Abram a little surprising and dishonest. I didn't see it coming at all. For such a devout character, it surprised me that he would stretch the truth, so to speak, with Jonas' father toward the end of the story. I guess that marks some of the strength in the novel -- that devout conservative Christians struggle with "right" and "wrong" just like everyone else.
The strength of this novel is definitely in the character development.
I doubt that I'll read the entire Abram's Daughters series, but I will definitely choose another Beverly Lewis book in the future. Maybe I'll try The Shunning or The Covenant.
For the past several weeks I've been attending a weekly bonsai training course in Bokeelia, FL, which is located on Pine Island near Cape Coral, FL on the west coast. It's a 2 hour drive from my home and I decided to use the driving time to try out a new author. Today I made it through the first 13 chapters of The Betrayal, written by Beverly Lewis, which is in the Abraham's Daughters Series.
Having family friends, acquaintences, and high school classmates that attended Amish and Mennonite elementary schools, I've had more contact with Amish and Mennonite families than most Americans, but I'm new to Beverly Lewis.
Set in post-WWII 1940's Pennsylvania, the book is on the long-side and presented from a historical perspective.The book is Christian-oriented and deals with the struggles and temptations faced by the Amish as they attempt to co-exist with the "English".
So far, I've enjoyed it a lot. I now understand why Lewis has won so many literary awards.
