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Pennsylvania #1
Pennsylvania
Young Amishman Jedidiah Troyer is now a traveler. He's signed up for an emigration program that is colonizing the planet of New Pennsylvania. He just wants to start a farm and homestead on affordable land in a new Amish community. Space pioneering isn't as easy as it sounds when you're "plain." Jedidiah and his new friend Dawn arrive on New Pennsylvania in the middle of a rebel uprising, and TRACE, the resistance group that is rising up against TRANSPORT, has taken on the mission of getting Jed from the City to the Amish Zone. Being a stranger in the old world doesn't even compare to being a stranger in a new world... a world that is at war and where nothing is what it seems.
432 pages, Paperback
First published April 3, 2013
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664 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews
June 21, 2014
Amish science-fiction. Four stars for that concept alone, probably. The concept is developed in a way that I found quite convincing, and that was so delightful, I feel a bit mean complaining about some other things. Also - it's free. And I'd have been quite irritable if I'd read it when it came out and there was a non-ending, and whether or not anything more got written was up to readers and their enthusiasm (and word-spreading), but I didn't. I still was unfond of the ending, but ... free. The other complaint is that the background to the great wars, collapse of -- things, banks, stuff that went wrong wasn't the most coherent. (Possibly this was my fault, but it would not fall into place, while everything else did and did so easily.) This didn't matter hugely, as it happens, but I'd rather have been able to understand it when it was floated.
I'd forgive a lot for the protagonist's (pause a moment for appreciation of his name, which is Jedediah. Jedediah Troyer. There might have been a swooning moment or two in this house) likening of the Amish in his world leaving for another planet and their leaving the Old World for America on the sailing ships which were as alien to them as the spacecraft necessary for interplanetary travel. Just brilliant. And this isn't an author exoticising the Amish from an outsider perspective. As might be guessed, I bought the next...
I'd forgive a lot for the protagonist's (pause a moment for appreciation of his name, which is Jedediah. Jedediah Troyer. There might have been a swooning moment or two in this house) likening of the Amish in his world leaving for another planet and their leaving the Old World for America on the sailing ships which were as alien to them as the spacecraft necessary for interplanetary travel. Just brilliant. And this isn't an author exoticising the Amish from an outsider perspective. As might be guessed, I bought the next...
February 22, 2014
Michael writes an easy-to-read science fiction tale about an alternate future America on the brink of war. The worldbuilding is very interesting. An ominous government has turned a crowded civilization into doped-up internet vegetables. The Amish, with their refusal to take government prescribed drugs or install brain chips, are one step ahead to resisting the chaos about to ensue. One of them is our main character, Jed, who is about to leave his family to take a deep-space adventure to New Pennsylvania where he'll help colonize a new planet similar to Earth. He is an innocent sort with a kind, caring soul that makes him easy to root for. The girl he wins over offers us hope of a love story, and the strong Mexican he meets on the space ship speaks to an adventurous team that could take down whatever the enemy plans to do, if they're lucky.
I won't get into spoilers, but there are lots of surprises and conflict. I'm enjoying the characters and the sense of mystery about what has happened since he went to sleep on the spaceship.
I won't get into spoilers, but there are lots of surprises and conflict. I'm enjoying the characters and the sense of mystery about what has happened since he went to sleep on the spaceship.
September 6, 2017
For a free book this was really quiet good. This would have to be the simplest sci-fi I have ever read and mixing it with the amish world is an unusual twist but it works well. I loved the ending now I am going to have to get the next one to find out what happened lol
September 16, 2019
Pennsylvania by Michael Bunker turned out to be a surprisingly good recommendation. This short story is the beginning of a very fascinating experience that skillfully weaves two of my favorite genres, dystopian and post-apocalyptic fantasy, into a believable and well-written story.
I was very pleasantly surprised at how I found it to relate to the experience of the young Amish protagonist, Jed Troyer. Experiencing this complex story through Jed's perspective kept me reading to find out how he adapts and learns as he starts an unknown journey to leave all he knew to travel from earth to a new world, a New Pennsylvania on a world in another galaxy.
I was so enraptured by this story that I bought the entire Pennsylvania series and the Pennsylvania Omnibus to continue the journey of Jed navigating through a war between the government and rebel forces seeking to colonize a new world.
I was very pleasantly surprised at how I found it to relate to the experience of the young Amish protagonist, Jed Troyer. Experiencing this complex story through Jed's perspective kept me reading to find out how he adapts and learns as he starts an unknown journey to leave all he knew to travel from earth to a new world, a New Pennsylvania on a world in another galaxy.
I was so enraptured by this story that I bought the entire Pennsylvania series and the Pennsylvania Omnibus to continue the journey of Jed navigating through a war between the government and rebel forces seeking to colonize a new world.
December 26, 2017
I have no idea what I just read. Did they leave the planet? Why were they lied to about where they left from? What is going on about the window? Maybe if the author could explain one thing and then leave the others for the next book it would have made me want to read more. But I'm going to stop right now.
July 28, 2014
Earth is overpopulated and at war, and many people are moving off-planet to New Pennsylvania. As their ancestors traveled by ship to the wilderness of a new world, so modern-day Amish are moving to the wilderness of New Pennsylvania to start a new and better life. There's no way back, and only the unknown ahead. Only, when Jeb arrives on New Pennsylvania, everything seems to have gone horribly wrong.
I downloaded this a while back when it was temporarily free (it's still free), and saw it mentioned on NPR this weekend in a news story about self-publishing. Apparently some publisher approached this author and offered him a $5000 advance. He laughed and told the publisher he made that much yesterday. Anyhow, I thought I'd see how I liked it if he made $5000 yesterday. I do like how self-published ebooks has brought back the serial novel. Tempt me enough in your free teaser and maybe I'll keep plunking down a few dollars at a time to read the whole story. Right?
I have to say that this author won my heart by insinuating that the worst place someone could be exiled to is Oklahoma. I have to concur. Get me out of this state. Ha.
I'm on the fence about committing to the sequel, but I probably will since the first novella in the series is well-written, and sometimes you just want the promise of an enjoyable read whether you feel compelled to find out what happens later or not.
I downloaded this a while back when it was temporarily free (it's still free), and saw it mentioned on NPR this weekend in a news story about self-publishing. Apparently some publisher approached this author and offered him a $5000 advance. He laughed and told the publisher he made that much yesterday. Anyhow, I thought I'd see how I liked it if he made $5000 yesterday. I do like how self-published ebooks has brought back the serial novel. Tempt me enough in your free teaser and maybe I'll keep plunking down a few dollars at a time to read the whole story. Right?
I have to say that this author won my heart by insinuating that the worst place someone could be exiled to is Oklahoma. I have to concur. Get me out of this state. Ha.
I'm on the fence about committing to the sequel, but I probably will since the first novella in the series is well-written, and sometimes you just want the promise of an enjoyable read whether you feel compelled to find out what happens later or not.
March 30, 2016
Pennsylvania- Book 1... I had no idea really what to expect when I decided to read Pennsylvania, an Amish/Sci-Fi serial but I'm glad I did pick it up because it has started off pretty good. There are five short novellas that make up the serial story. Book 1 starts off in this dystopic society called the North American Union which is divided into two groups of people; the Amish a.k.a. the Plain People and the English a.k.a. the city people. An Amish guy named Jedediah or "Jed" Troyer lives in Old Pennsylvania in the Amish Zone but he has signed up for a one way trip to a distant planet, New Pennsylvania, as part of an emigration program that's intending to colonize that planet. He is hoping to buy land and start a farm on some affordable land in the Amish community in this New PA colony. He runs into some issues though during his transport and all may not be as it seems...
What I enjoyed most about this story was the world building. It's really unique and imaginative and you can tell a lot of thought when into the details. It's very interesting and I look forward to learning more about it. There were a couple of instances in the plot though that I thought were a little too contrived and there wasn't really a backstory given for them but maybe we'll find that out in the next novella. I am definitely going to continue with it. It's really an interesting concept!
What I enjoyed most about this story was the world building. It's really unique and imaginative and you can tell a lot of thought when into the details. It's very interesting and I look forward to learning more about it. There were a couple of instances in the plot though that I thought were a little too contrived and there wasn't really a backstory given for them but maybe we'll find that out in the next novella. I am definitely going to continue with it. It's really an interesting concept!
October 30, 2016
This series was recommended to me by another author after I read and enjoyed his book. As Phillip Harris’s book The Girl in the City is set in the society/world created in the Pennsylvania Series by Michael Bunker. So I decided to give reading the first part of the series a go. I am quite fascinated with the Amish culture so that was another point that drew me to the book.
I was quite quickly drawn in and my attention was definitely held throughout this book. I really didn’t want to put this book down and read very late into the night on a few occasions.
The cover depicts quite a barren looking isolated landscape, and there’s the Amish carriage on the winding road.
The genres I’d personally say this book falls into are dystopian, and science fiction with some post apocalyptic aspects thrown in as well. It will be interesting to see how the Amish featured in the book cope with the genre aspects within it. On one hand their plain ways, and self sufficiency should make it easier for them to do without technology, however on the other hand there are science fiction parts in the book so how will they deal with what technology may be forced upon them. Will they continue to isolate themselves and keep to their own kind or will they reach out and help the non plain/Amish community.
So the actual book is a great introduction to what I personally hope will be a fascinating series. The setting is sometime in the future with advanced technology such as airbuses and the colonisation of other planets than earth. Earth has become over populated with less and less land to be purchased and worked. The Amish have to an extent been exempt from certain rules in this society such as having compulsory TRID’s fitted. TRID’s are an identity chip that is installed and does away with the old identification, passport papers. The Amish went to court and won their appeal against having them having them compulsory fitted like the English and rest of the society. The Amish also do not use the new currency that is placed on a card. This system is explained in detail within the book and was originally called Unilets which were derived from LETS. LETS = Local Exchange Trading System. The English keep their LETS on a card and pay for things electronically. Which to be totally honest is not a million miles away from our own contactless credit card system. Another popular technology that is widely available is B.I.C.E. which is a Beta Internet Chip Enhancement or as Jed refers to it as the “Internet in your head”. Not everyone is rich enough to pay for this chip and some still have to go to a place called an “Insta” where they can access the internet. Quadrille is a popular, and legal drug that the English seem to take in large quantities on a regular basis.
The book begins with the main character of eighteen year old Jedidiah Troyer (Jed) who is attending to the chore of milking a cow on his family’s farm with his fourteen year old brother Amos Troyer. Amos asks for what must be the hundredth time if Jed will tell him about the journey he will be beginning later today. Jed is a patient older brother and it seems he is secretly pleased to tell his younger brother what he wants to know over and over again. Jed goes on to explain the whole journey or as they call it a pilgrimage and the colonisation process too..
Jed is going to inhabit a new planet called New Pennsylvania which is almost the same size as earth, and lots of the Amish people are making this move, which when you think of the Amish culture means that even they are having to adapt to continue their way of life.
Saying that the whole trip does not go to plan is somewhat of an understatement! First there seems to be something wrong with the amount of LETS on Jed’s card but a Transport station operative conveys that he should not question this, so he rather naively just goes with the whole situation that becomes more strange as his pilgrimage progresses. The book covers the small mindedness and discrimination of the English as Jed is bullied on one of the airbuses he travels on. It is nothing for them but when another English man named Jerry comes to his aid he feels warmed by the actions, not all are prejudiced against the Amish.
Unfortunately for them it seems that Jed and Jerry have been unknowingly pulled into a much larger plan of resistance against the government. They also discover that New Pennsylvania id not as idyllic as they have been told.
I love the character of Jed, the brave and curious eighteen year willing to leave everything he knows and loves at a chance of working hard and eventually purchasing his own land. Jed is described as being a younger version of his father who believes in hard work. Working on the farm has made Jed a strong, lean and sturdy man, prepared to work hard for the prospect of a new life. He has long term plans, hoping that when old enough his younger brother will come out to join him on his land in New Pennsylvania. I did also like the younger character of Amos, and hope to see him, featured somewhere in the future of the series. Jed shows he is adventurous going to a new country but that he dearly loves and will miss his family and their love. There are some quite poignant, emotional moments within this book. One is the moment when Jed thinks back to the old barn window he broke when he was younger and the punishment his father gave him was to fix the window. Jed did fix it, just not with glass. He found a tin can and flattened it our filling the gap the glass breaking had created.
I loved reading this book and can’t wait to read even more of it soon! I really liked the mix of the society and cultures. I could go on and on about this book! Oh wow! what a place to end! What a cliff hanger! loved it, loved it, loved it! I want to read more... much more of this series.
I was quite quickly drawn in and my attention was definitely held throughout this book. I really didn’t want to put this book down and read very late into the night on a few occasions.
The cover depicts quite a barren looking isolated landscape, and there’s the Amish carriage on the winding road.
The genres I’d personally say this book falls into are dystopian, and science fiction with some post apocalyptic aspects thrown in as well. It will be interesting to see how the Amish featured in the book cope with the genre aspects within it. On one hand their plain ways, and self sufficiency should make it easier for them to do without technology, however on the other hand there are science fiction parts in the book so how will they deal with what technology may be forced upon them. Will they continue to isolate themselves and keep to their own kind or will they reach out and help the non plain/Amish community.
So the actual book is a great introduction to what I personally hope will be a fascinating series. The setting is sometime in the future with advanced technology such as airbuses and the colonisation of other planets than earth. Earth has become over populated with less and less land to be purchased and worked. The Amish have to an extent been exempt from certain rules in this society such as having compulsory TRID’s fitted. TRID’s are an identity chip that is installed and does away with the old identification, passport papers. The Amish went to court and won their appeal against having them having them compulsory fitted like the English and rest of the society. The Amish also do not use the new currency that is placed on a card. This system is explained in detail within the book and was originally called Unilets which were derived from LETS. LETS = Local Exchange Trading System. The English keep their LETS on a card and pay for things electronically. Which to be totally honest is not a million miles away from our own contactless credit card system. Another popular technology that is widely available is B.I.C.E. which is a Beta Internet Chip Enhancement or as Jed refers to it as the “Internet in your head”. Not everyone is rich enough to pay for this chip and some still have to go to a place called an “Insta” where they can access the internet. Quadrille is a popular, and legal drug that the English seem to take in large quantities on a regular basis.
The book begins with the main character of eighteen year old Jedidiah Troyer (Jed) who is attending to the chore of milking a cow on his family’s farm with his fourteen year old brother Amos Troyer. Amos asks for what must be the hundredth time if Jed will tell him about the journey he will be beginning later today. Jed is a patient older brother and it seems he is secretly pleased to tell his younger brother what he wants to know over and over again. Jed goes on to explain the whole journey or as they call it a pilgrimage and the colonisation process too..
Jed is going to inhabit a new planet called New Pennsylvania which is almost the same size as earth, and lots of the Amish people are making this move, which when you think of the Amish culture means that even they are having to adapt to continue their way of life.
Saying that the whole trip does not go to plan is somewhat of an understatement! First there seems to be something wrong with the amount of LETS on Jed’s card but a Transport station operative conveys that he should not question this, so he rather naively just goes with the whole situation that becomes more strange as his pilgrimage progresses. The book covers the small mindedness and discrimination of the English as Jed is bullied on one of the airbuses he travels on. It is nothing for them but when another English man named Jerry comes to his aid he feels warmed by the actions, not all are prejudiced against the Amish.
Unfortunately for them it seems that Jed and Jerry have been unknowingly pulled into a much larger plan of resistance against the government. They also discover that New Pennsylvania id not as idyllic as they have been told.
I love the character of Jed, the brave and curious eighteen year willing to leave everything he knows and loves at a chance of working hard and eventually purchasing his own land. Jed is described as being a younger version of his father who believes in hard work. Working on the farm has made Jed a strong, lean and sturdy man, prepared to work hard for the prospect of a new life. He has long term plans, hoping that when old enough his younger brother will come out to join him on his land in New Pennsylvania. I did also like the younger character of Amos, and hope to see him, featured somewhere in the future of the series. Jed shows he is adventurous going to a new country but that he dearly loves and will miss his family and their love. There are some quite poignant, emotional moments within this book. One is the moment when Jed thinks back to the old barn window he broke when he was younger and the punishment his father gave him was to fix the window. Jed did fix it, just not with glass. He found a tin can and flattened it our filling the gap the glass breaking had created.
I loved reading this book and can’t wait to read even more of it soon! I really liked the mix of the society and cultures. I could go on and on about this book! Oh wow! what a place to end! What a cliff hanger! loved it, loved it, loved it! I want to read more... much more of this series.
August 29, 2019
An honest and naive Amish kid immigrates to another planet and lands in the middle of a revolutionary war. Okay, it's such an original concept, I'm hooked.
This book is so well written I bought the Omnibus edition (which includes the first 5 books in the series) as soon as I finished the short story I'm reviewing here. I am recommending you skip this short story and buy the Omnibus Edition as I can't believe you'd read the short story and not want the rest of the series.
There is a movie deal in the works for the Omnibus Edition so don't forget to leave the author a review here and on Amazon or wherever you get your copy.
This book is so well written I bought the Omnibus edition (which includes the first 5 books in the series) as soon as I finished the short story I'm reviewing here. I am recommending you skip this short story and buy the Omnibus Edition as I can't believe you'd read the short story and not want the rest of the series.
There is a movie deal in the works for the Omnibus Edition so don't forget to leave the author a review here and on Amazon or wherever you get your copy.
November 23, 2013
Hmm, science fiction plus Amish. Future speculation versus anachronism.
At first when I found out about Pennsylvania by Michael Bunker, I naturally assumed it had to be a satire; a poor man's Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, or something like that. How can a work of science fiction incorporate a people known, by religious ideology, to shun some technological advancement? So what I expected when I started reading and what it turned out to be were two different things.
Michael spins a great yarn in Pennsylvania. Jed is the name of the protagonist in the story, a young Amish man that is destined for great things. His great thing is moving to New Pennsylvania, a foreign, alien world with as much promise as the foreign land his forefathers inhabited when settling in America. New Pennsylvania is the utopia, the land flowing with milk and honey. But as young Jed finds out, things are not always what they seem, especially in New Pennsylvania.
It's interesting to see how Michael relates Jed's experiences to the reader. A wide-eyed, innocent Amish boy swept up in a world that is foreign to his comprehension. His reactions to situations carry the story along nicely and makes for an entertaining read. Many stories I read, especially Sci-Fi, typically contain one or two items that puts me off from the larger narrative, either religiously, morally, or ideologically. I'm not saying it's wrong to do that. That's the beauty of stories, that expression of varied ideas. What I'm saying is that it's not often I read a story that I can so easily embrace. Pennsylvania is one of those few stories. There's no cursing (it is an Amish protagonist, after all) and no sexual situations. To me, it's the type of story that would fit well with younger adults and children, yet it's not necessarily young adult literature.
Plus, the cover is great. I mean, a horse and buggy with an ICBM (I think) launching in the background. You can't beat that.
Luckily I came across this short story on the heels of Michael releasing the second part to his story, Pennsylvania 2: Non-electric Boogaloo. This means that I don't have to wait long before I can indulge myself in the continuing journey of Jed and his companions. I'm sure the quality of the next installment will equal the quality of the first.
This review is also posted on my blog: http://www.akmeek.com/pennsylvania/
At first when I found out about Pennsylvania by Michael Bunker, I naturally assumed it had to be a satire; a poor man's Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, or something like that. How can a work of science fiction incorporate a people known, by religious ideology, to shun some technological advancement? So what I expected when I started reading and what it turned out to be were two different things.
Michael spins a great yarn in Pennsylvania. Jed is the name of the protagonist in the story, a young Amish man that is destined for great things. His great thing is moving to New Pennsylvania, a foreign, alien world with as much promise as the foreign land his forefathers inhabited when settling in America. New Pennsylvania is the utopia, the land flowing with milk and honey. But as young Jed finds out, things are not always what they seem, especially in New Pennsylvania.
It's interesting to see how Michael relates Jed's experiences to the reader. A wide-eyed, innocent Amish boy swept up in a world that is foreign to his comprehension. His reactions to situations carry the story along nicely and makes for an entertaining read. Many stories I read, especially Sci-Fi, typically contain one or two items that puts me off from the larger narrative, either religiously, morally, or ideologically. I'm not saying it's wrong to do that. That's the beauty of stories, that expression of varied ideas. What I'm saying is that it's not often I read a story that I can so easily embrace. Pennsylvania is one of those few stories. There's no cursing (it is an Amish protagonist, after all) and no sexual situations. To me, it's the type of story that would fit well with younger adults and children, yet it's not necessarily young adult literature.
Plus, the cover is great. I mean, a horse and buggy with an ICBM (I think) launching in the background. You can't beat that.
Luckily I came across this short story on the heels of Michael releasing the second part to his story, Pennsylvania 2: Non-electric Boogaloo. This means that I don't have to wait long before I can indulge myself in the continuing journey of Jed and his companions. I'm sure the quality of the next installment will equal the quality of the first.
This review is also posted on my blog: http://www.akmeek.com/pennsylvania/
November 19, 2013
" Without even being able to see much of it, the old building gave Jed a brief feeling of comfort. He felt like he was in one of the ancient buildings on his family's farm back on Earth. Everything in this building was old, and for Jed, strangely, it was the first time he'd felt safe since he'd left the Amish zone back home. Here he was on a planet in a completely different solar system, and everything around him looked vaguely familiar."
Review: You would think it is an impossible task to amalgamate an ' Amish ' into a Sci-Fi anecdote, would be weird wouldn't it? Not really! Mr. Bunker did his thing again, and has authored a short but extremely intriguing novel which not only imparts to you the contrasting world views of two kinds of living, but also captures you into a whole new realm of imagination. When I noticed the 88% on my kindle, I knew I wouldn't be able to handle my curiosity once I finished it. But I'm glad I read the book this late, since the second part is out too! Now I can just jump to the next level. Surely worth your time.
Review: You would think it is an impossible task to amalgamate an ' Amish ' into a Sci-Fi anecdote, would be weird wouldn't it? Not really! Mr. Bunker did his thing again, and has authored a short but extremely intriguing novel which not only imparts to you the contrasting world views of two kinds of living, but also captures you into a whole new realm of imagination. When I noticed the 88% on my kindle, I knew I wouldn't be able to handle my curiosity once I finished it. But I'm glad I read the book this late, since the second part is out too! Now I can just jump to the next level. Surely worth your time.
November 26, 2013
This short story is an excellent beginning to what is obviously an much larger tale. I find the idea of the Amish migrating to a new planet both fascinating and logical, in view of the history of the Amish. I like Jed - he is a product of his beliefs and his sheltered upbringing, but he's also very practical and sharp. As such, I would not describe him as naive. He adjusts to changing circumstances rapidly as he is caught up, through no fault of his own, in events that he never expected.
There are very big hints in this installment that all is not as it seems. There's no way to explain that without spoilers, though. Read it for yourself and see what you think. I think there is a great deal more to the story beneath the surface of this short beginning. I look forward to reading the next installment.
There are very big hints in this installment that all is not as it seems. There's no way to explain that without spoilers, though. Read it for yourself and see what you think. I think there is a great deal more to the story beneath the surface of this short beginning. I look forward to reading the next installment.
January 17, 2014
This is why self-publishing is a great thing! If you walked into a publisher's office and told her that you wanted to publish something called Amish Science Fiction, she would laugh you right out of the office.
It turns out to work pretty well. When Bunker is focused on the nuts and bolts of how his world works, and how his Amish protagonist deals with it, it is his best writing yet. The Amish hero's perspective on all the craziness makes me think a bit of Neal Stephenson's Anathem. Great, great stuff.
Once things go off the rails, the story does a bit as well. I did not enjoy the second part as much I did the first. This is worth buying though, just for the freshness of the ideas.
It turns out to work pretty well. When Bunker is focused on the nuts and bolts of how his world works, and how his Amish protagonist deals with it, it is his best writing yet. The Amish hero's perspective on all the craziness makes me think a bit of Neal Stephenson's Anathem. Great, great stuff.
Once things go off the rails, the story does a bit as well. I did not enjoy the second part as much I did the first. This is worth buying though, just for the freshness of the ideas.
May 8, 2014
The story doesn't have any sort of closure, but it does just enough to keep you interested all along, then leaving you with a mystery for future volumes. The twist of creating Amish sci-fi is an interesting one, and the question of why the Amish would ever submit themselves to air/space travel is answered well.
My non-Amish skepticism flashed warnings throughout this story, so I have a number of theories as to what is really going on. Looking forward to seeing where this goes in the next several installments.
My non-Amish skepticism flashed warnings throughout this story, so I have a number of theories as to what is really going on. Looking forward to seeing where this goes in the next several installments.
July 15, 2015
A short installment to a five part book exploring Amish Science Fiction, in which Jed meets "English" Jerry and Dawn on a journey to "New Pennsylvania", which is supposedly a new planet, but in meeting Dawn, Jed begins to suspect that all is not as it seems and after being arrested and almost being exiled to Oklahoma, Transport continues sending him to New Pennsylvania, a journey that will put him in a sleep of suspended animation for many miles and supposedly nine years, but upon awakening in "New Pennsylvania", Jed finds things that are all too familiar.
February 2, 2014
I got curious about the idea at the base of this novel. Michael Bunker is able to achieve what seems an impossible task: Amish SciFi (the main character explains space travel while milking a cow). He talks about the past to describe what might be a possible future, same problems with same answers. In this framework the story of Jed is developed.
This first part ends with one (or even two) cliffhanger and I really hope the author keeps on telling this amazing story.
This first part ends with one (or even two) cliffhanger and I really hope the author keeps on telling this amazing story.
January 24, 2014
Completely original!!! What a great find this is! This new serial series grabs you from the plot alone. I cannot wait to see what is next in store for Jed. Michael Bunker has a great thing going with this concept. Please make more!!!
November 25, 2013
Amish SCI-FI. Who would have thought? I enjoyed it. Sci-fi is never my first or second pick but I am glad I picked up this one.
December 19, 2014
Amish Sci-Fi? Who would have thunk it? Seriously one of the most creative, interesting books I've read in a LONG time! Three thumbs up! (If I had a third!)
August 29, 2013
Please please please give me more. I loved this story and need to see where this goes...
October 22, 2013
I can't wait to read more!
August 6, 2020
Who would have thought that "Amish Sci-Fi" would be a genre? The two topics seem like they shouldn't go together, and I was curious to see how author Michael Bunker would pull it off. And he does have some interesting (if not entirely original) concepts and a likable main character in this story. But sadly, he doesn't do much to develop said concepts, and the story never has time to really go anywhere before it screeches to an abrupt halt mid-scene.
In a world torn apart by war and strife, a young Amish man named Jedidiah Troyer is taking a huge leap -- boarding a transport to the colony world of New Pennsylvania, to join a community of the Amish starting new lives there. As one of the Plain People, he knows he's out of his element in a world of airbuses, implanted computer chips, and a despotic government that watches the citizens' every move. But he gets more than he bargained for when he falls into a rebel plot... and he'll have to learn fast in order to survive the journey to his new home.
This could have been a really intriguing story, and it's helped along by a very likable main character. Sadly, Jed is less of an actual protagonist and more of a prop, being pushed along by the story instead of actually doing anything to affect it. I wanted to see him actually take some action, use his unique perspective on the world to help the other characters (who are all flat as cardboard by the way)... but no, he's content to just be swept along by the plot while things happen around him.
The story is pretty cliche, with a yawningly predictable world consisting of a tyrannical government, a populace lulled into submission by drugs and/or being constantly online 24/7, and a rebellion seeking to free the people. But it was starting to get entertaining towards the end, which makes it all the more infuriating that the book pretty much halts mid-scene, without resolving much of anything and leaving virtually all my questions unanswered. The author explains in the afterward that it was meant to be a short story and episodic stories seem to sell best and make the most money in the e-book world, which is understandable... but that doesn't make it any less frustrating that I wanted a story and get only a fragment.
"Pennsylvania" is a classic case of "great premise, bad execution," and while its clever concept is surrounded by cliches, it was shaping up to be an entertaining read before it blundered into a completely unsatisfactory non-ending. I wish the author had chosen to write one longer novel instead of releasing this in chunks... and honestly, the non-ending irritates me enough that I'm hesitant to pick up the next one.
In a world torn apart by war and strife, a young Amish man named Jedidiah Troyer is taking a huge leap -- boarding a transport to the colony world of New Pennsylvania, to join a community of the Amish starting new lives there. As one of the Plain People, he knows he's out of his element in a world of airbuses, implanted computer chips, and a despotic government that watches the citizens' every move. But he gets more than he bargained for when he falls into a rebel plot... and he'll have to learn fast in order to survive the journey to his new home.
This could have been a really intriguing story, and it's helped along by a very likable main character. Sadly, Jed is less of an actual protagonist and more of a prop, being pushed along by the story instead of actually doing anything to affect it. I wanted to see him actually take some action, use his unique perspective on the world to help the other characters (who are all flat as cardboard by the way)... but no, he's content to just be swept along by the plot while things happen around him.
The story is pretty cliche, with a yawningly predictable world consisting of a tyrannical government, a populace lulled into submission by drugs and/or being constantly online 24/7, and a rebellion seeking to free the people. But it was starting to get entertaining towards the end, which makes it all the more infuriating that the book pretty much halts mid-scene, without resolving much of anything and leaving virtually all my questions unanswered. The author explains in the afterward that it was meant to be a short story and episodic stories seem to sell best and make the most money in the e-book world, which is understandable... but that doesn't make it any less frustrating that I wanted a story and get only a fragment.
"Pennsylvania" is a classic case of "great premise, bad execution," and while its clever concept is surrounded by cliches, it was shaping up to be an entertaining read before it blundered into a completely unsatisfactory non-ending. I wish the author had chosen to write one longer novel instead of releasing this in chunks... and honestly, the non-ending irritates me enough that I'm hesitant to pick up the next one.
December 29, 2024
This novella is a brilliantly realised tale of the Amish people moving once more, to a new colony - but this one is across the vacuum of space. Jed starts the adventure in his parents' barn, milking the cow. He shows us an airbus, transfer stations, bureaucracy and a dystopia. When he arrives, will the new world be any better?
With a wry look at marketing, and a final spin of cognitive dissonance, Pennsylvania is enjoyable and tense. I've read several books about Amish life, mostly written by women. I can recommend this SF read.
I read an e-ARC. This is an unbiased review.
With a wry look at marketing, and a final spin of cognitive dissonance, Pennsylvania is enjoyable and tense. I've read several books about Amish life, mostly written by women. I can recommend this SF read.
I read an e-ARC. This is an unbiased review.
February 24, 2020
A captivating and fun read about the primacy of AMISH IN SPACE! My only hesitation with the book is with the author's political agenda - calling the MacGuffin that the bad guys are chasing "okcillium" brings up uncomfortable memories of the Oklahoma City bombing, and the fact that the bad guys blew up their own city also faintly hints at right-wing conspiracy theories about false flags. Good story, but bad politics? I'll read the next one to find out for sure.
June 27, 2022
Amish Sci-fi. Yes, you heard that right. A young man from the Plain People starts his journey from Pennsylvania to New Pennsylvania (somewhere in the universe). Good world building in these 68 pages, plus an interest in finding out what happens next.
Michael Bunker self-published this short story with the intent that if it sold well, he would release four more parts of the story. And, the short story was free when I got it. Go see/buy Pennsylvania Omnibus ($2.99 for Kindle) for the entire story.
Michael Bunker self-published this short story with the intent that if it sold well, he would release four more parts of the story. And, the short story was free when I got it. Go see/buy Pennsylvania Omnibus ($2.99 for Kindle) for the entire story.
September 26, 2017
This was really interesting!! Read the entire book in one sitting. Time to get dinner ready now so will look for the next book!
Would recommend to my friends lots of things to think about that keep a person interested. Keep the books coming!
Would recommend to my friends lots of things to think about that keep a person interested. Keep the books coming!
January 9, 2019
The premise is interesting but the authors choice to call it "#1" misleads the reader. Too disappointed to get the next book...
September 20, 2019
Goodness. Wanting cheap affordable land is a dream. Finding it in outer space is an option. Fascinating book.
January 2, 2021
Entertaining-ish - a post-apocalyptic world where somehow the Amish have special rights, maybe? Possibly under a one world government scenario?
We're told they're going to a different planet, and then we're given so many hints that it's a cryo-sleep/time-travel into the future deal, but my prediction, were I to continue to read this is that it's really a Matrix scenario and ain't nothing is real.
We're told they're going to a different planet, and then we're given so many hints that it's a cryo-sleep/time-travel into the future deal, but my prediction, were I to continue to read this is that it's really a Matrix scenario and ain't nothing is real.
June 5, 2014
I found an interview with Michael Bunker on Jason Gurley’s blog, while researching Greatfall. Simply reading the words “amish scifi” made me buy Pennsylvania. It starts off slowly in an Amish village in Pennsylvania, this was a real shocker. Gradually the characters of Jed, central to the story, and his brother Amos are introduced. While working through their chores on the farm Amos forces Jed to explain why he’s going to New Pennsylvania – a colony world eight light years away from Earth – and how he’s getting there – a ship in which he will remain in suspended animation for the eight year length of the journey. I really liked the way that Bunker introduced the story and showed Jed’s motivations.
Before long Jed is leaving to journey to the station from which his ship is leaving. First, he stops in an airbus station where he’s given extra money, and a note that tells him to keep quiet. Obviously something is afoot. On the bus ride we’re introduced to The Transport Authority, the main force of the state. All priate forms of transportation are illegal which leaves The Transport Authority in control of all movement throughout the world. Jed had the audacity to be told about someone else’s plan to defect to the Amish, which lands him in a bunch of hot water. However, he’s still allowed to board the ship and leave for New Pennsylvania.
Now, it’s worth taking a minute to talk about the society that Jed has found himself in. The Transport Authority requires that everyone use a head implant, a TRID, in order to keep tabs. The TRID also serves as a way of connecting to the internet, facilitated by a drug that most of the population uses regularly. THis is where the issues start. It’s fairly obvious that Bunker is using this as an analogy for the current world and it’s obsession with the internet. And we can all admit that while we may not take a drug and disappear into our own heads for hours on end we do spend plenty of time hunched over our computers, oblivious to the outside world. If Bunker was simply setting up this analogy I would be fine with it, it’s a perfectly reasonable concern and one that’s common throughout fiction. However, as the book progresses he spends more and more time talking about how wonderful the Plain Folk, as the Amish are often referred to, are and how their way of life is superior. Even during the climax of the book the characters participate in a barn raising, complete with pages of descriptions on how the way the Amish band together to help one another makes them better.
All the time Bunker spends on praising the Plan Folk, or complaining about the way the rest of society acts, takes away from the rest of the book. Every time I got to a cliffhanger and was anxious to find it’s resolution I was forced to read several pages about the merits of the Amish lifestyle. It was frustrating. While reading the book I felt that it was just running around in circles, without a concise story, but once I finished it I could easily identify the plot. And the plot was good. I think that I was forced to spend so much time reading about Bunker’s personal philosophies that I kept forgetting what was going on in the story. If he were to cut out ninety percent of the unneeded opinionating the book would flow much better, be far more engaging, and be about thirty percent shorter.
Pennsylvania sets up a sequel, but I’m not sure if I’m going to read it. I spent a lot of time with Pennsylvania without much reward. That’s not to say I didn’t enjoy it, I simply think that there are books out there better worth my time. If you’re curious about the Amish you should certainly read Pennsylvania, but if you’re not I would only read it if you’ve got nothing better to read.
Before long Jed is leaving to journey to the station from which his ship is leaving. First, he stops in an airbus station where he’s given extra money, and a note that tells him to keep quiet. Obviously something is afoot. On the bus ride we’re introduced to The Transport Authority, the main force of the state. All priate forms of transportation are illegal which leaves The Transport Authority in control of all movement throughout the world. Jed had the audacity to be told about someone else’s plan to defect to the Amish, which lands him in a bunch of hot water. However, he’s still allowed to board the ship and leave for New Pennsylvania.
Now, it’s worth taking a minute to talk about the society that Jed has found himself in. The Transport Authority requires that everyone use a head implant, a TRID, in order to keep tabs. The TRID also serves as a way of connecting to the internet, facilitated by a drug that most of the population uses regularly. THis is where the issues start. It’s fairly obvious that Bunker is using this as an analogy for the current world and it’s obsession with the internet. And we can all admit that while we may not take a drug and disappear into our own heads for hours on end we do spend plenty of time hunched over our computers, oblivious to the outside world. If Bunker was simply setting up this analogy I would be fine with it, it’s a perfectly reasonable concern and one that’s common throughout fiction. However, as the book progresses he spends more and more time talking about how wonderful the Plain Folk, as the Amish are often referred to, are and how their way of life is superior. Even during the climax of the book the characters participate in a barn raising, complete with pages of descriptions on how the way the Amish band together to help one another makes them better.
All the time Bunker spends on praising the Plan Folk, or complaining about the way the rest of society acts, takes away from the rest of the book. Every time I got to a cliffhanger and was anxious to find it’s resolution I was forced to read several pages about the merits of the Amish lifestyle. It was frustrating. While reading the book I felt that it was just running around in circles, without a concise story, but once I finished it I could easily identify the plot. And the plot was good. I think that I was forced to spend so much time reading about Bunker’s personal philosophies that I kept forgetting what was going on in the story. If he were to cut out ninety percent of the unneeded opinionating the book would flow much better, be far more engaging, and be about thirty percent shorter.
Pennsylvania sets up a sequel, but I’m not sure if I’m going to read it. I spent a lot of time with Pennsylvania without much reward. That’s not to say I didn’t enjoy it, I simply think that there are books out there better worth my time. If you’re curious about the Amish you should certainly read Pennsylvania, but if you’re not I would only read it if you’ve got nothing better to read.
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