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The Calico Quilt
“The Calico Quilt” offers a charming and insightful portrayal of life within the Pennsylvania Dutch Amish community. At its heart is Phoebe, a bright and inquisitive ten-year-old, living with her Aunt Maria in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Phoebe’s world is one of simplicity and tradition, yet her curious nature often leads her to dream of a life beyond the familiar boundaries of her community.
Phoebe's journey is marked by the tension between her desire for adventure and the expectations of her strict, yet loving, upbringing. Navigating the customs and values of the Amish people, she interacts with a variety of family members and friends, each encounter shedding light on the deep-seated traditions and the beauty of her heritage. As she grows, Phoebe grapples with the pressures to conform while yearning to explore the broader world, embodying the universal struggle of finding one's path while honoring one's roots.
Central to Phoebe’s story is her relationship with Aunt Maria, a robust and practical woman devoted to her faith and traditions. Aunt Maria’s guidance, a blend of affection and discipline, aims to instill in Phoebe the virtues of hard work, simplicity, and devotion. Their bond beautifully illustrates the dynamics of family life within the Amish community and highlights the generational differences that shape their perspectives. Through Phoebe's experiences, “The Calico Quilt” captures the essence of growing up, discovering oneself, and balancing personal dreams with cultural expectations.
This book is a retelling of “Patchwork” by Anna Balmer Myers. While her original story forms the foundation of this work, modifications and modernizations have been made to enrich the narrative.
Phoebe's journey is marked by the tension between her desire for adventure and the expectations of her strict, yet loving, upbringing. Navigating the customs and values of the Amish people, she interacts with a variety of family members and friends, each encounter shedding light on the deep-seated traditions and the beauty of her heritage. As she grows, Phoebe grapples with the pressures to conform while yearning to explore the broader world, embodying the universal struggle of finding one's path while honoring one's roots.
Central to Phoebe’s story is her relationship with Aunt Maria, a robust and practical woman devoted to her faith and traditions. Aunt Maria’s guidance, a blend of affection and discipline, aims to instill in Phoebe the virtues of hard work, simplicity, and devotion. Their bond beautifully illustrates the dynamics of family life within the Amish community and highlights the generational differences that shape their perspectives. Through Phoebe's experiences, “The Calico Quilt” captures the essence of growing up, discovering oneself, and balancing personal dreams with cultural expectations.
This book is a retelling of “Patchwork” by Anna Balmer Myers. While her original story forms the foundation of this work, modifications and modernizations have been made to enrich the narrative.
286 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 3, 2024
117 people are currently reading
1067 people want to read
About the author
Samuel DenHartog
315 books114 followersSamuel DenHartog is a versatile and imaginative author whose works span a wide array of genres, including mythology, fables, fairy tales, fantasy, romance, mystery, science fiction, and children's books. His stories captivate readers of all ages, blending wonder with rich, timeless narratives.
What sets Samuel apart is his ability to breathe new life into ancient tales while preserving their core essence. Whether it's mythology, folklore, or fairy tales from various cultures, by carefully balancing tradition with modern touches, he creates stories that resonate with contemporary audiences, making historical and mythical narratives feel fresh, relevant, and engaging.
Off the page, Samuel is a lifelong learner, constantly expanding his creative horizons and engaging with innovative ideas. His journey is a continual pursuit of knowledge and creativity, bridging the worlds of tradition and imagination.
What sets Samuel apart is his ability to breathe new life into ancient tales while preserving their core essence. Whether it's mythology, folklore, or fairy tales from various cultures, by carefully balancing tradition with modern touches, he creates stories that resonate with contemporary audiences, making historical and mythical narratives feel fresh, relevant, and engaging.
Off the page, Samuel is a lifelong learner, constantly expanding his creative horizons and engaging with innovative ideas. His journey is a continual pursuit of knowledge and creativity, bridging the worlds of tradition and imagination.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
October 17, 2024
Congratulations to all the Goodreads Giveaway winners. You know own an A.I.-generated book.
Other reviews call out the very non-Amish details in this A.I.-generated product. That's because there's no actual "intelligence" involved, and neither the man nor machine gives a shit about Amish stories, it was just one more thing to try spitting out three times a week, every week for almost a year now: sci-fi, children's alphabet books, countless mythology and fables books created by shoveling public domain books into ChatGPT, and promoting it all while hoping potential buyers won't recognize its A.I. source. Why be honest when you can try to make some money off suckers?
Look, if you want to read something generated by A.I., go for it. And if you like it, fine. But wouldn't you want to know in advance?
Other reviews call out the very non-Amish details in this A.I.-generated product. That's because there's no actual "intelligence" involved, and neither the man nor machine gives a shit about Amish stories, it was just one more thing to try spitting out three times a week, every week for almost a year now: sci-fi, children's alphabet books, countless mythology and fables books created by shoveling public domain books into ChatGPT, and promoting it all while hoping potential buyers won't recognize its A.I. source. Why be honest when you can try to make some money off suckers?
Look, if you want to read something generated by A.I., go for it. And if you like it, fine. But wouldn't you want to know in advance?
December 2, 2025
No desire to read past the first sentence. AI SLOP
February 20, 2025
In a Goodreads and Facebook post on 13 Feb 2025, Samuel Denhartog admitted to using AI in his works to write and create covers.
July 29, 2024
I love amish stories
July 30, 2024
The Calico Quilt by Samuel DenHartog has to be the most unusual Amish tale I have ever read. Mr. DenHartog tells the story well, but his story does not ring true. Makes one ask what kind of research about Lancaster Amish did he do? I have been reading and reviewing Amish Stories since 2005, and the storyline in this book just does. Not ring true.
For one thing, the Amish teacher is Amish. I find it hard to believe they would hire an Englisher to teach in a country Amish school.
Second, Amish just attend until 8th grade. They do not attend high school and graduate. They would never go to college.
Amish usually do not serve in the military. And especially they do not fight. They usually serve in the forest or in a hospital. The Amish people do not believe in violence of any kind.
There are just too many discrepancies throughout the book.
I really love the characters. The time when David told Phoebe how to fix her face to be a prima donna was hilarious. I could see 10 year old children doing something just like that. I even laughed out loud.
The author offered a free download from Amazon, but I can say, with all honesty that this Amish story was disappointing.
The
For one thing, the Amish teacher is Amish. I find it hard to believe they would hire an Englisher to teach in a country Amish school.
Second, Amish just attend until 8th grade. They do not attend high school and graduate. They would never go to college.
Amish usually do not serve in the military. And especially they do not fight. They usually serve in the forest or in a hospital. The Amish people do not believe in violence of any kind.
There are just too many discrepancies throughout the book.
I really love the characters. The time when David told Phoebe how to fix her face to be a prima donna was hilarious. I could see 10 year old children doing something just like that. I even laughed out loud.
The author offered a free download from Amazon, but I can say, with all honesty that this Amish story was disappointing.
The
July 19, 2024
Samuel DenHartog's breadth of prose is astonishing. I have now read many of his tales but this one seems so personal. The story of Phoebe Mertz, brought up "plain" but envying the outside world echoes stories I have read in the past. However, this story will stay with me as it may echo understandings of growth,acceptance and forgiveness that we all might wish to emulate as we grow older. Highly Recommended 5/5
January 10, 2025
A heartwarming story
This book gives a look into the lives of the Amish. It captivates the simple lives and hard work that they do. I recommend this book to anyone who wants a heartwarming tale
This book gives a look into the lives of the Amish. It captivates the simple lives and hard work that they do. I recommend this book to anyone who wants a heartwarming tale
February 2, 2025
Hack. The author is a hack. Does anyone really fall for this AI-generated garbage? How else could this guy produce 159 books over the past year?
And no, I didn't bother to read this book, but the "author" didn't bother to write it, either---fair is fair.
And no, I didn't bother to read this book, but the "author" didn't bother to write it, either---fair is fair.
August 7, 2024
A delightful read! Phoebe is Amish and itches for beautiful worldly things. When she comes of age, she leaves to study music. Will she stay or go home to what she knows?
January 27, 2025
A good read.
The book was well written and kept my interest until the very end. I loved the way the two ways of life were told.
The book was well written and kept my interest until the very end. I loved the way the two ways of life were told.
March 30, 2025
Details
Details abound. Pace of book is plodding.
Interesting that she has money to follow up on her p!ans. And That she is allowed to make her own decisions.
Details abound. Pace of book is plodding.
Interesting that she has money to follow up on her p!ans. And That she is allowed to make her own decisions.
June 4, 2025
Love above all
I felt it book was slow. Too simplistic for my taste. I wouldn’t recommend this book to my friends. Sorry.
I felt it book was slow. Too simplistic for my taste. I wouldn’t recommend this book to my friends. Sorry.
October 14, 2025
Woefully inaccurate for an Amish story but that's what you get when you have ai do your research for you.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews