\\ About the Book \\ Come home to Hickory Hollow, Pennsylvania--the beloved setting where Beverly Lewis's celebrated Amish novels began--with new characters and new stories of drama, romance, and the ties that draw people together.She's English. He's Amish. Oh boy.
A wrong turn in a rainstorm leads Englisher Amelia Devries to Michael Hostetler--and the young Amishman's charming Old Order community of Hickory Hollow. Despite their very different backgrounds, Amelia and Michael both feel hemmed in by the expectations of others and struggle with how to find room for their own hopes. And what first seems to be a chance encounter might just change their lives forever.
Beverly Lewis never fails to spin an enchanting tale filled with Amish-English relationships. All said relationships are strained and few are deemed good by either culture. So, if you've read any of Lewis' books, you know that a young female Englisher meeting a young male Amishman (both of similar attractiveness) is not going to be all puppies and ice cream.
Let me preface the rest of my review by saying that I'm a bit disillusioned with Amish fiction. In recent weeks I've watched a couple of documentary type television shows about ex-Amish, and I'm not sure that Lewis paints a completely accurate view of the so-called happy Amish life.
In The Fiddler, at least, she gives us the character of Michael, a young man who should have at his age already been baptized into the Amish church but is bent on straddling the fence between the Amish and English. Yet, even in his situation, there is so much that seems unrealistic. His parents seem highly disapproving at first, but in the middle and at the end they are simply so-so. At least Michael owns up to the fact that he has to make a decision at some point, and, in the end, he does.
Amelia's case is equally dissatisfying. The thing I hate most about her is her sad treatment of her almost fiance. It's definitely sad, to say the least. And not really knowing why this love interest is so wrong for Amelia is disappointing. Nothing in his character besides his teensy bit of controlling attitude (seriously, is planning for the future so wrong?) appears bad. Why Amish guy over him? All Michael and Amelia really have in common is there desire to be free from the control of others. Otherwise there isn't much happening there.
More time was spent on Amelia's touring information (I couldn't care less about her itinerary abroad) and practice sessions than on the development of the characters and their relationships.
But, there is the anticipation of the happy ending you know is going to take place, the desire to know how it is all going to come together, and the hopefulness that Amelia's and Michael's parents won't disown them completely. That, along with Lewis' accomplished, well-seasoned writing, is what saves The Fiddler.
I can't say The Fiddler is one of Lewis' best (The Thorn is much better), but, if you are a committed fan, I'm sure you will find something in it to enjoy. I'm giving it a sad arrow, though. I would recommend other books by Lewis like The Thorn several times over before I would recommend this one, just because I know she has other books that are better developed and more intriguing than The Fiddler.
I can say with some excitement that the next book in the series will feature my favorite character from this novel, Joanna Kurtz.
\\ About the Author \\ Beverly Lewis, raised in Pennsylvania Amish country and both a schoolteacher and an accomplished musician, has been an award-winning author for over a dozen years. Her acclaimed novel, The Preacher's Daughter, was a 2006 Quill Book Award finalist in the romance category. Her books have appeared on numerous bestseller lists, including USA Today and The New York Times. She and her husband, David, live in Colorado."
\\ In Case You Were Wondering \\
Title: The FiddlerAuthor: Beverly Lewis
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
I too have found that most Amish fiction is portrayed in an "overly happy" environment, which is not the case at all. I too have seen Amish documentaries and I admire their way of life. It is hard and strict. But I also enjoy the Amish fiction. I enjoy most fiction because it is NOT reality. Thanks Jennifer for this review!
ReplyDelete