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Plain Anna: an Amish memoir
Being plain and experiencing pain did not define me, but it did shape me.
Anna Schwartz knew fear; it first grabbed her in its clutches on a church pew, then tightened its grip through a raging fire. But fear and sadness could not defeat her light. Her bright light caught the attention of many in her Amish community, especially Samuel. Seeing the pain in his eyes, Anna was determined to mend it with her kindness.
But Anna soon learned that some choose to live in fear and darkness, and their darkness can threaten your light if you let it. Gripped once more in the throes of fear, she struggled as Samuel pushed out her light. After she and her kids suffered years of abuse, with Anna blaming herself, God spoke truth to her heart, and she found the strength to fight back.
Plain Anna shows you just how not-plain and rather remarkable Anna really is. Through her heart-wrenching story, you will discover that pain never needs to be the end of your story.
Anna Schwartz knew fear; it first grabbed her in its clutches on a church pew, then tightened its grip through a raging fire. But fear and sadness could not defeat her light. Her bright light caught the attention of many in her Amish community, especially Samuel. Seeing the pain in his eyes, Anna was determined to mend it with her kindness.
But Anna soon learned that some choose to live in fear and darkness, and their darkness can threaten your light if you let it. Gripped once more in the throes of fear, she struggled as Samuel pushed out her light. After she and her kids suffered years of abuse, with Anna blaming herself, God spoke truth to her heart, and she found the strength to fight back.
Plain Anna shows you just how not-plain and rather remarkable Anna really is. Through her heart-wrenching story, you will discover that pain never needs to be the end of your story.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
Kindle Edition
Published June 18, 2021
95 people are currently reading
114 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
August 21, 2021
Plain Anna: An Amish Memoir by Anna Schwartz is a true story, told in her own word, about her life married to an abusive husband. She met Samuel Troyer when she was 10 and he was 10 years her senior. She married at 18 and had 8 children to him. Since the Amish are a patriarchal society, Anna deferred to her husband for every decision. Without consulting her, he decided they were leaving the Amish faith and going to a Mennonite order in another state. This meant she would lose contact with all her family and be shunned. The story is heart-wrenching when Anna tells of the physical abuse her children suffered under her husband’s violent outbursts. This story was shocking and often very saddening. This author hopes to help others in a similar situation to realize there is a way out of the turmoil.
July 14, 2021
Hard to put down!
For so many reasons, this story needed to be told. Abuse in marriage and families occurs regardless of social background. Finding the strength to get out saved Anna and her family. Hopefully, her bravery in speaking up will encourage others to do what they need to. Thank you, Anna and Meg, for sharing with us.
For so many reasons, this story needed to be told. Abuse in marriage and families occurs regardless of social background. Finding the strength to get out saved Anna and her family. Hopefully, her bravery in speaking up will encourage others to do what they need to. Thank you, Anna and Meg, for sharing with us.
June 22, 2021
Well worth your time to read.
This is a riveting story. Told in first-person form. Well worth your time and money. Easy to read and understand.
This is a riveting story. Told in first-person form. Well worth your time and money. Easy to read and understand.
December 28, 2023
WOW. Just. Wow. Part Amish. Part true crime. Part abuse survivor. Heartbreak. And hope. A gripping, compelling book that’s difficult to put down. You find yourself caring for and cheering for the heroes in the story, and wanting them to win in the end. A true insight to a community that most have heard of, but we don’t know what happens as it is seemingly another world. The world is painted in such a way that we truly feel we are looking in, and cheering for the protagonists.
November 1, 2021
Other than the Amish part, this book could have been my story. Well, I only had 4 kids not 8. Hard to read but so much truth about abuse and the deception of it. Make time to read this
February 28, 2022
This is a hard book for me to review--mostly because of the subject. I bought it for "easy reading," expecting it to be (as the title suggests) memories of an Amish life. Instead, I found myself reading a tale of years of violence and abuse. Ultimately, the book is explained as having been written to help other women who find themselves in a similar situation. I'm not qualified to judge whether or not that objective is achieved.
The abuser is "Amish" and, from my perspective and understanding, he uses a twisted version of his Amish beliefs to justify his abuse, even after leaving the Amish Community. As most know, leaving the community results in shunning so, in the truest sense this is not a book about the Amish--it's a book about abuse and escaping from it.
Yes, the "Amish" factor is part of the story, but readers should understand this is NOT a book about the Amish. While subtle, there's actually some implication that Amish beliefs and lifestyle "encourage" abusive treatment of women. I'm not sure it's intentional. Unfortunately, there is little counterbalance in the representation of the Amish in general. So it's also a story about leaving the Amish--not just physically but also mentally and emotionally.
The book is reasonably well-written. I found it engaging. I just think calling it "an Amish memoir" is misleading, particularly because "Plain" Anna becomes anything but in her pursuit of freedom.
The abuser is "Amish" and, from my perspective and understanding, he uses a twisted version of his Amish beliefs to justify his abuse, even after leaving the Amish Community. As most know, leaving the community results in shunning so, in the truest sense this is not a book about the Amish--it's a book about abuse and escaping from it.
Yes, the "Amish" factor is part of the story, but readers should understand this is NOT a book about the Amish. While subtle, there's actually some implication that Amish beliefs and lifestyle "encourage" abusive treatment of women. I'm not sure it's intentional. Unfortunately, there is little counterbalance in the representation of the Amish in general. So it's also a story about leaving the Amish--not just physically but also mentally and emotionally.
The book is reasonably well-written. I found it engaging. I just think calling it "an Amish memoir" is misleading, particularly because "Plain" Anna becomes anything but in her pursuit of freedom.
June 23, 2021
A well told page turner
I have been friends with Anna's daughter Meg for many years and had heard little pieces of her story. When she mentioned she was helping her mom with a memoir I was so excited.
This is a difficult read as the situations and abuse that Anna and her children find themselves encountering is well described and I responded viscerally. But you came to root for Anna and the kids as they each came into their own and developed strength. I am so glad that Anna found the words to write her story. I think it will speak to many stuck in abuse
I have been friends with Anna's daughter Meg for many years and had heard little pieces of her story. When she mentioned she was helping her mom with a memoir I was so excited.
This is a difficult read as the situations and abuse that Anna and her children find themselves encountering is well described and I responded viscerally. But you came to root for Anna and the kids as they each came into their own and developed strength. I am so glad that Anna found the words to write her story. I think it will speak to many stuck in abuse
October 5, 2022
Very Genuine
This book is book, while being incredibly personal, it is thought proving on so many levels and it ultimately shows that even with the worst of humans cross your path-God's will is universally love. It also was very helpful in understanding traditions/lifestyle of the Amish Community.
This book is book, while being incredibly personal, it is thought proving on so many levels and it ultimately shows that even with the worst of humans cross your path-God's will is universally love. It also was very helpful in understanding traditions/lifestyle of the Amish Community.
August 4, 2025
An absolutely incredible must read for any domestic violence survivors!
Riveting and emotional! I cannot count how many times I was moved to tears both of mutual understanding and in her rise!!
Riveting and emotional! I cannot count how many times I was moved to tears both of mutual understanding and in her rise!!
April 4, 2026
The parallels to other religions that use the Bible as a tool for manipulation and to force the weak to comply are close, and it wasn't so much the Amish belief, but a spouse within the community coupled with the tenets of the religion that allowed the abuse to continue... Anna's story is credible and tragic, but amazing and victorious as well. Definitely well-worth the reading...
July 11, 2021
Must read !
This is a heartbreaking yet beautiful story , I finished this story in less then 24 hrs because I couldn’t stop reading.
This is a heartbreaking yet beautiful story , I finished this story in less then 24 hrs because I couldn’t stop reading.
September 20, 2021
It was excellent, the author really gave an insight into the Amish beliefs. It was easy to relate to Anna and the many changes in her life. Highly recommend this memoir.
August 17, 2022
3.5 stars
February 25, 2024
Emotional
I was also an abused wife In this book reall
y rang Deep in my soul. Again it took me a while To get away from the situation And make a happy life for myself
I was also an abused wife In this book reall
y rang Deep in my soul. Again it took me a while To get away from the situation And make a happy life for myself
June 20, 2024
So grateful to the many women who are taking a stand against abuse!! A challenging book to read because of the horror of the abuse, but glad for a happy ending.
June 18, 2025
The letter from the sister-in-law at the end of the book comes across as passive-aggressive revenge.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews