Runaway Amish Girl: The Great Escape

by Emma Gingerich

Growing up Amish and leaving the fold, Emma Gingerich left her Amish community in Eagleville, Missouri, at the age of eighteen. Her memoir Runaway Amish Girl: The Great Escape captivates even the timid reader. Disagreeing with the beliefs of Amish traditions and upbringing, the pressure became too much for her to bear. Forced to make a personal decision, Emma found the courage to leave the only life she had ever known. She had no idea the emotional turmoil she'd inflict on her family and friends. The emotional reaction of her parents, brothers and sisters, are gut wrenching. Considered no longer a daughter and a sister, temporarily exiled, Emma finds a way to be free. Education becomes her priority as she finds her place in this "English" world. This true story is a rare glimpse into the life of a brave young woman - Runaway Amish Girl: The Great Escape.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Amish, Biography, Audiobook, Autobiography, Christian

182 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2014

Reviews

[Saadia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emma uses her own voice to share an unflinching candid picture of the primitive, strict, patriarchal sect of the Amish in which she was born. As the eldest girl in the brood, she learned that the religious rites were conducted in an incomprehensible German tongue, that family ties are stoic, not physically demonstrative, non-communicative; expected to have only a rudimentary education; work like a drudge at house chores and make products for sale to help the family earn an income; and marry early in order to have a brood of children. She gives a candid insight into her own inner dialogue, how she felt different from her family and community, and longed to experience a different life. These thoughts crystallize as she reaches age 18 and willingly chooses to run away, with only a phone number as her lifeline to the unknown. Emma shows great courage as she navigates the obstacles to life in our modern day: she fights loneliness and ignorance and commits herself to earn her own way and to pursue more education. She is shunned by her original community now although she has returned to visit her birth family.
I was pleased to meet this inspirational young lady a few days ago and I want to share my review here. Her escape occurred about 9 years ago. Emma has studied the Bible and learned much that she did not know about the Christian religion; she has had the opportunity to travel around the US and recently even joined a mission on a trip to Nepal. She has the courage of her convictions and she follows her personal lodestar. I wish her the very best! Please tell others about this book.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always knew that the Swartzentruber Amish were stricter than even the Old Order Amish but I had no idea that they were so severe. I can understand her need to escape. She lived in a strict, non-loving family, where nothing was open to discussion or interpretation. I don't know how she lasted until she was 18 before she left. In spite of the non-loving family, they are still her family and it is obvious that she loves them, so I cannot even imagine how difficult leaving was for her. Hardly able to speak English, totally naïve and secluded, this brave girl ventured out on her own to begin a new life. The stories of her visits back to her family are heart-wrenching. Emma has gotten her GED, gone to college and gotten her degree and is making it on her own. The journey was not easy, but I applaud this young lady's strength and determination. Even though this is not great literature, it provides a fascinating look into the Swartzentruber Amish lifestyle.

[♥Milica♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like Amish memoirs more than I do Amish fiction, because they tell it like it is (or was). But not every Amish experience is going to be exactly like another so I'm not going to assume all Amish are like Swartzentruber Amish.

After reading this book, it's very clear why Emma decided to leave, and I'm happy that she managed to find happiness after doing so.

The audiobook was great and the story interesting, but it was very jumpy and some things weren't explained fully. I wish it was longer to answer some of those questions.

3.5

[Winter Sophia Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intriguing, Encouraging, Fascinating, Refreshing, Insightful, Touching & Informative! An Amazing Read! I Loved It!

[Diane Lybbert · Rating 2 out of 5]

The life and story itself is probably much more interesting than the book. Gingerich was raised Amish, in a very strict community. She is raised with rules, but no explanations; with religion, but no explanations; with expectations, but no explanations. She is left to guess what her actions should be, what the proper response to certain activities should be, etc. Her family and her community show no physical affection for one another. A rebellious child by nature, she becomes increasingly unhappy, starts getting excruciating headaches, and suffers depression. At age 18 (the age of 'adulthood') she runs away to live in the outside world. She has no experience, no knowledge, no exposure to the society outside her community so again she has to kind of feel her way through studying for her GED (Amish only allows 8th grade education), learning English (her community was German-speaking), getting a job, etc. The memoir was amateurish in its writing, and obviously self-published. A sharp professional editor could probably take this raw material and make a really engaging book out of it. As it is, the author comes across as whiny and selfish.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

getting ready to start this one. was a good book to read

[Melissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

She was brave to leave her home and set out to create her own life, but I found her storytelling style to be a bit sporadic. The story jumped around a lot and I wanted her to share more of her feelings so I could sympathize with her more than I did. I know her life was hard, but I didn't like how she lumped all Amish families in one category. I believe there are good people and good parents within the Amish community and there are bad people and bad parents in the "English" communities. I wanted to like this book, but I felt too removed from the author's story.

[Jo Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fairly brief memoir detailing the authors “escape” from the extremely strict Swartzentruber Amish community in which she’s been brought up. I have to admit that I’ve never heard of Swartzentruber and frankly it sounds cult like and horrendous. I feel it’s important to acknowledge that it’s it own extension of Amish though. I’m glad for Gingrich’s freedom, and her ability to live as she now chooses. It’s miraculous that she lasted so long.
Currently included with audible 🎧

[Danielle · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had to wonder at times where the editors were. The writing style lacked, and she jumped around alot with the sequence of happenings. I know some Amish are quite strict and unloving,(especially the Swartzentruber) but I happen to have some very good Amish friends who are the total opposite. True, this is her story and how her family was, but not ALL Amish are like this. It almost seems like she was trying hard to make it appear that Amish are just dumb and senseless. But aren't there a lot of people like that no matter what religion/belief they are? I am glad she was able to find a way to "escape" and find what she was lacking, though. And I hope her family is able to love and accept her for who she is, even if she doesn't fit into their mold.

[Abby Goldsmith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anyone who runs away from a stultifying environment to forge their own path is my soulmate. Much respect to Emma Gingerich. She might come across as shy in real life (I don't know her, but that's the impression she gives of herself), but she clearly has a backbone of steel. She is kick-ass and humble about it.

I can't quite give this book five stars, because the writing and storytelling felt overly simplistic. Stylistically, this is written on a middle grade level, although it does touch on dark and disturbing subject matter (not in graphic detail). There is a lot to read between the lines.

It's hard to be critical, though, since English is not her first language, and she had to start very far from a modern education. She's come a long way.

[Readasaurus Rex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yikes

Some of these people are downright abusive. I can see why so many women want to leave. The world makes it difficult for these women to escape

[Amanda Flickinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 I wish it was longer. Love reading books about religious cult escapes. Didn’t know much about the Amish before I read this.

[Lorna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emma lived a real-life Handmaid's Tale. Although her family clearly loves her very much they are impossible to reach or question due to the hive-like collective mind of Anish society.
Emma is an amazing young woman, so full of mettle. This was beautifully written, a truly great bildungsroman.

[David Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully crafted and impeccably told, Emma Gingerich’s memoir of her escape from the Amish into the “outside world” is simply breathtaking. Ms. Gingerich proves she’s a natural storyteller despite being raised in a society replete with repression and ignorance, and as I read her story I had to keep reminding myself it wasn’t a novel but a true-life experience. A powerful testament to persistence, determination, and faith, Ms. Gingerich’s story is an inspiration to anyone struggling to break free of the bondage of cultural expectations and answer God’s call to lead the life you were meant to live. Emma’s story is truly life changing.

--David C. Hughes, Writer/Editor, http://davidchugheswriter.com

[Menorah · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Amish life had always intrigued and captivated me ever since I saw the movie "Witness" and visited the Pennsylvania Amish of Lancaster County in the early 80s. I had read many Amish fiction (by Beverly Lewis) which I enjoyed. This memoir is no exception. It was an interesting eye-opener into their strict and rigid rules. A very candid sharing of the author's experiences inside and outside the 'walls'. I would have given this novel 5 stars if the writing were more professionally done. I found the use of too many cliches and common idioms rather irritating. I almost gave up on it but fortunately at about 57%, the writing thankfully improved.

[Stephanie Rollins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ignorance. Emma was raised with ignorance--about life, the Bible, and "English" people. Regardless of this ignorance, Emma, who has a bit of a rebel side, left her family and community.

Emma was treated no better than a heifer while growing up in her Amish home. Unfortunately, her ignorance and lack of street smarts led her to more sexual abuse on the outside.

Emma tells of the difficulty Amish women have--arguably more responsibility than the men. She tells of the transition to the English world, and she tells of the mind-blowing dating practices of the Swartzentrubers.

This book was easy to read. I recommend it.

[Alex · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is an extremely short and ultimately unsatisfying memoir about a girl who left the Amish community behind when she turned 18. The tidbits about growing up Amish were interesting but few and far between, and the book ends so suddenly that I actually thought I was missing a few pages.

I think it’s awesome that Emma went on to college and is thriving in the “English” world, but it just wasn’t enough to sustain a book - especially because it’s barely 160 pages long.

[T.A. Munroe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although the prose isn't sophisticated, Emma's first-person story of why and how she left the culture of her birth is fascinating. Emma's family is imperfect, but it's mostly the restrictions of her religion she wants to escape. Besides a first-hand look at what it's like to grow up Amish, it offers a perspective of the modern culture, as well. A quick but thought provoking read.

[Ilana · Rating 2 out of 5]

It is an interesting story, especially given the very bizarre customs of the Swartzentruber Amish group Gingerich belonged too - that I personally never heard about - but the style and the writing are unfortunatelly very limited.

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

A simply written autobiography of an Amish girl's rejection of a stifling religious community.

[Kris Ziegelhofer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Perhaps I should have felt empathy for Emma, but I just didn't. She did not come across as likeable to me, and I just couldn't find myself rooting for her.

[Alyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars. i applaud this young woman for following her inner voice that so loudly and persistently told her to leave the only family, home, and community she ever knew. i can't imagine how determined she was, despite her upbringing that taught her to feel guilt and shame and embarrassment about everything. that purposely kept members in the dark about most of regular life. i was at times, however, still shocked at how naive she was in the outside world, she had to learn everything the hard way it seemed. because she was taught to keep quiet and never ask questions she seems to hold a lot of questions in even in the outside world, and i feel so bad for her. she wants to plow forward without examining her past. i hope she is doing well though.

[Michelle Pick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Couldn’t decide between 2-3 stars, so went with 3 in the interest of generosity. I was truly interested in the subject matter: Amish life, and in particular, this girl’s story. So that’s the good. However, the writing was just not good at all. Granted, English is not her first language, and she didn’t have a traditional education, but was there no editor? There were a few grammar and punctuation errors that were distracting, but worse, there were just so many cliches. The story kind of jumped around. The tone was inconsistent. Unfortunately, the writing just detracted from the importance of the subject matter. Here is value in her story, though, and I will look for similar books (as far as this type of memoir) in the future.

[Nina Foster · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found Emma’s story very interesting. I always enjoy auto-biographies and memoirs more than fiction, because they are true person accounts of things that happened in someone’s life. I thought the writing and structure of the story was excellent. It’s understandable why she hated living as an amish person. It sounds like a difficult life. It took a lot of courage to leave, and an equal amount of courage to return for visits to the family she loved and missed. Those visits were no more easy than the leaving. She had a great deal of determination and wisdom. I wished it were longer! If there is a sequel I will read it.

[Cris · Rating 3 out of 5]

We listened to this on our weekend trip away. I have to admit, my husband and I both were disappointed in this. It starts off with Emma sharing bits of her Amish life with you but so much didn’t make sense. She talks about almost cutting her finger off with a saw? Using the phone in the shop? Amish are not supposed to have electric tools or phones. Then there are some very shocking revelations, such as their dating practices!! I also don’t understand how after she escapes, she is allowed back for her brothers wedding…that’s a big no no in the Amish culture. You might be allowed to visit, but not for things like that. Then she just stops the book. Very poor editing.

[Martha Handrick · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read a short article about this young woman and wanted to know more, so I quickly read the short autobiography. It was ok. Don’t expect any lyrical prose, just to the point information. While I can appreciate the desire to live off the grid and embrace a simple life, it strikes me as sad and misguided that so many of the “rules,” especially for women, are so harmful and irresponsible, while passed off as God’s will with so little Biblical basis. She was beyond brave to leave, and I was happy to see her find a loving relationship with Christ and others.

[Mr. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book

When I grew up in northern Ohio we lived near the Amish area. They framed our house and did good work. My grandmother would sometimes take me along when she would buy food from the Amish. The family we visited had a huge kitchen, very old-timey. All my observations were always very positive. I enjoyed this book as it shows Amish as real people with human struggles just like everyone else.

[Lisa · Rating 1 out of 5]

I wanted to read this to get a more nuanced picture of amish life than the romances I read, but this book was so completely focused on the negative I actually think the romances are more nuanced. She does nothing but whine, and when she even started to complain about how unattractive one of her first dates was I had enough. DNF

[Kylie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting read! I know absolutely nothing about the Amish, so this was really insightful. I'm glad Emma was able to escape to lead a normal life. It's always so sad to see people blinded by cult like behavior.

[Dorothy Dilger]

Good starting point to learn some inside information on being Amish