The Believers by Janice Giles

by Janice Giles

Paperback

Reviews

[Beth Wyant · Rating 5 out of 5]

This and Hannah Fowler will now have their place in my favorite books of all time. I could not put it down. I learned so much about the Shakers and the Kentucky frontier. I’ve been so immersed, I’m not even sure how to come out of the stupor/book hangover I’m feeling. I would warn readers about racism from the time it was written (1956). It felt shocking and I would love to see this reworked into a more modern retelling.

[Anne Hendricks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just completed a re-reading of this Kentucky classic.
I recommend Hannah Fowler, the first book, before this one.

Imagine your husband converts to the Shakers. As you are a 19th century woman on the settling frontier of Kentucky, you have no real choice but to go. The sexes are separated. There is no intimacy between husband and wife. Plus, you do NOT want to be in this cult.
What does she do? Where does she go?

You will not put this book down - and you get a good look on the Shakers, their movement, and the 19th century background to understand why this cult was attractive. The Shakers gave us practical furniture, but they failed in the most important function: if you do not procreate? Your cult will die out. :D

[Amy Bramblette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book the first time when I teenager spending time with my grandmother during the summer. She collected Janice Holt Giles books. I read several but for my teenage self THIS one stood out. I think it was the young woman deeply in love with her husband who then chooses to go a very different path than their families that got me. I read it straight through and thought about it for weeks. Now some 40 years later, I reread. And guess what? It was even better. As often happens when you revisit a book from your teens, it hits totally different. But it still hit.