The Parting

October 1, 2007
Beloved bestselling inspirational author Lewis kicks off The Courtship of Nellie Fisher series, dishing up her usual sort of Amish meal. Amish teen Nellie Fishers grief over the death of her sister, Suzy, in a drowning accident is just beginning to heal. It helps that Caleb Yoder has asked her to be his girl, and wedding bells ring in her imagination. Her baked goods shop also provides solace. But change blows through her Pennsylvania Amish community, threatening to divide families and thwart her newfound romance. Other storylines are set up: Rosanna King seems unable to have children, but is promised a forthcoming baby by a woman who has many; Nellies father reads forbidden scripture and becomes intrigued with salvation by grace. Amish dialect is used judiciously throughout, and although some items (like an old journal) seem like tired clichs, Lewis creates the tension necessary to get the series started. Some Christian readers will wonder about a theology that finds Suzys death and a crop failure part of Gods plan, and there may be confusion for readers unfamiliar with the Amish about the boundaries of Rumschpringe (rumspringa, or the running-around period for some Amish teens). Lewis has a gentle narrative style, however, and her fans will line up for this latest fictional slice of Amish life.

May 1, 2008
Seventeen-year-old Nellie Fisher and her family are deeply involved in the controversy over the change in the Amish Old Order way of life. Mourning the death of the youngest daughter, Suzy, they all try to come to grips with the changes in their lives and beliefs. Nellie too often finds herself at odds with her family. This is Lewis's first book in a new series, "The Courtship of Nellie Fisher," ranked number one on the November 2007 Christian Marketplace best sellers list and number eight on the November 2 New York Times best sellers list, the highest ranking any of Lewis's works have ever attained. Raised in the Pennsylvania Amish country, with ties to the Amish community through her maternal grandmother, Lewis is a prolific writer who's won nine awards (so far), her latest being the Christy Award for Contemporary Series in 2007 for The Brethren. Unfortunately, this title didn't translate well into audio; there are so many characters popping in and out of the story that sometimes it's difficult to keep track of them. Rachel Botchan is an excellent reader, but she has difficulty making the myriad characters all sound unique. Recommended for libraries where Lewis is a favorite. [The Parting is also available as downloadable audio from Audible.comNancy Reed, Immanuel Baptist Church Lib., Paducah, KY

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