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Annie's People #3
The Brethren
Annie Zook, the Amish preacher's daughter, is caught between two worlds. Living with shunned friend Esther, Annie longs to return to her forbidden art and the idyllic days spent with Englisher Ben Martin, before her father ordered her never to see him again.
Stunned when family secrets come to light, Ben determines to solve the mystery of his past. Will his future include Annie--or will the Brethren always stand between them?
Stunned when family secrets come to light, Ben determines to solve the mystery of his past. Will his future include Annie--or will the Brethren always stand between them?
352 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2006
About the author
Beverly Lewis
258 books3,079 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Beverly Lewis, raised in Pennsylvania Amish country and both a schoolteacher and an accomplished musician, has been an award-winning author for over a dozen years. Her acclaimed novel, The Preacher's Daughter, was a 2006 Quill Book Award finalist in the romance category. Her books have appeared on numerous bestseller lists, including USA Today and The New York Times. She and her husband, David, live in Colorado."
Beverly Lewis, raised in Pennsylvania Amish country and both a schoolteacher and an accomplished musician, has been an award-winning author for over a dozen years. Her acclaimed novel, The Preacher's Daughter, was a 2006 Quill Book Award finalist in the romance category. Her books have appeared on numerous bestseller lists, including USA Today and The New York Times. She and her husband, David, live in Colorado."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 269 reviews
July 15, 2010
Let me preface this review by saying that all of Beverly Lewis' books are for a very particular kind of reader... the sort who is 1) absolutely enthralled by Amish people/food/tradition and 2) does not expect a whole lot of *great* writing and interesting plot development. That being said, I love Lewis' Amish books! I like that by somewhere in the middle of the series I can figure out what the "surprising" twist is going to be and still go through the rest of the books waiting to find out *how* this surprise is related to the characters. Speaking of characters I think her character development is probably another reason why I love her books so much. While she may not be tops in the plot department, I usually find myself very invested in the lives of her characters by the middle of the first book in a series. Still, some of her characters are better than others and the Annie's People series is one of the better ones, in my opinion. (Check out the Abram's Daughters series for my fave-o AMish characters!)
All-in-all a fun summer read that can transport you into a totally different world while letting your brain rest for awhile... we can't always be reading kafka, if you get my drift (:
All-in-all a fun summer read that can transport you into a totally different world while letting your brain rest for awhile... we can't always be reading kafka, if you get my drift (:
August 25, 2012
This was the last book of the trilogy and some story lines remain unresolved -- Louisa is still somewhat unsettled, Zeke & Essie are ‘healed’ and reunited with Zeke’s family but still shunned, and the kidnapping of Isaac is never fully explained (nor his adoptive parents odd actions keeping the adoption secret - I totally expected them to be involved in the kidnapping, especially as the author really seems to disregard them). The domestic abuse issue isn’t really addressed either. There was no real reckoning for Zeke which left me unsatisfied.
This book was written in a lulling, comfortable style but the contents were disturbing. I can no longer think of the Amish as innocent, peaceful people. The women were really treated like cattle to be managed by their fathers and husbands. That didn’t sit well with me. Many of the Amish characters in this series (men & women) seemed to feel powerless and angry or sad. It felt a bit like life in a religious compound with a heavy handed, domineering and micro managing ruler. Introducing ‘outsiders’ into Amish life revealed some issues I was previously unaware of ... they only bath once a week and the entire family shares the same bath water!
There are also a lot of magical coincidences - Ben is magically drawn by Annie’s painting to Paradise, then magically attracted to Annie and drawn to Zeke. Ben turns out to be Issac. Ben & Zeke’s dad returns to Paradise out of the blue and repentant. Some of the happy ending felt thrown together, which made the unresolved issues even more glaring. The issues of infidelity and abortion are also thrown in at the end, but never really examined.
Also, after exposing all these problems with Amish life, getting a heavy handed dose of Protestants ‘saving’ characters and seeing Annie struggle with Amish life - it felt off that she just abandoned all her issues and art magically at the end to become Amish and marry Ben. It was not in keeping with her character development. It felt forced.
It seemed like there should have been another book in the series. If Annie ultimately joins the Amish, there should have been some explanation of that - given everything that has occurred in the series thus far. Ben’s reasoning for becoming Amish and the impact on his adoptive family would also have been nice to see. It would have been interesting to see how he deals with Amish life and how Zeke deals with life post ‘healing’. Louisa is also largely ignored once she leaves Paradise and it would have been interesting to explore her inner life returning to fanciness. Her relationship with Sam also needs developing. I’d like to see the domestic abuse issues addressed somehow and the truth Isaac’s kidnapping revealed.
This book was written in a lulling, comfortable style but the contents were disturbing. I can no longer think of the Amish as innocent, peaceful people. The women were really treated like cattle to be managed by their fathers and husbands. That didn’t sit well with me. Many of the Amish characters in this series (men & women) seemed to feel powerless and angry or sad. It felt a bit like life in a religious compound with a heavy handed, domineering and micro managing ruler. Introducing ‘outsiders’ into Amish life revealed some issues I was previously unaware of ... they only bath once a week and the entire family shares the same bath water!
There are also a lot of magical coincidences - Ben is magically drawn by Annie’s painting to Paradise, then magically attracted to Annie and drawn to Zeke. Ben turns out to be Issac. Ben & Zeke’s dad returns to Paradise out of the blue and repentant. Some of the happy ending felt thrown together, which made the unresolved issues even more glaring. The issues of infidelity and abortion are also thrown in at the end, but never really examined.
Also, after exposing all these problems with Amish life, getting a heavy handed dose of Protestants ‘saving’ characters and seeing Annie struggle with Amish life - it felt off that she just abandoned all her issues and art magically at the end to become Amish and marry Ben. It was not in keeping with her character development. It felt forced.
It seemed like there should have been another book in the series. If Annie ultimately joins the Amish, there should have been some explanation of that - given everything that has occurred in the series thus far. Ben’s reasoning for becoming Amish and the impact on his adoptive family would also have been nice to see. It would have been interesting to see how he deals with Amish life and how Zeke deals with life post ‘healing’. Louisa is also largely ignored once she leaves Paradise and it would have been interesting to explore her inner life returning to fanciness. Her relationship with Sam also needs developing. I’d like to see the domestic abuse issues addressed somehow and the truth Isaac’s kidnapping revealed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 6, 2022
I really enjoyed this trilogy! The second book dragged a little, but over all, well worth the read. :)
May 21, 2012
I skipped books 1 and 2. I won't do that again. It took me at least a quarter of the book to figure out what was going on. I wanted to read The Bretheren because I had read it was given the Christy Award. However after reading so many Amish books, I missed why this book was so outstanding. The main surprise was I had never read an Amish book that dealt with emotional illness. It was very interesting even to find out there are facilities for the Amish set in a "plain enviroment" The rest of the story line was pretty predictable. I love Amish fiction even if it not a literary wonder or a deep thought provoking book. I feel peace inside with the simple life style.
As the story line goes Annie has given up her painting and isn't shunned but living separate from the community until she decides whether or not to give up her painting permanently and get baptized.
Ben, an Englisher, finds out a secret from his parents and he makes a life changing decision. Intermingled in all this is the story of one other family and dealing with an emotional illness.
PS After reading Books 1 and 2......if you only read one Amish series in your life....this is the series.....I understand now why it was awarded the Christy Award.
As the story line goes Annie has given up her painting and isn't shunned but living separate from the community until she decides whether or not to give up her painting permanently and get baptized.
Ben, an Englisher, finds out a secret from his parents and he makes a life changing decision. Intermingled in all this is the story of one other family and dealing with an emotional illness.
PS After reading Books 1 and 2......if you only read one Amish series in your life....this is the series.....I understand now why it was awarded the Christy Award.
February 12, 2017
I did really like this book, however, I felt the ending was rushed. Like the author decided she was done writing so quickly wrapped it up.
March 6, 2008
This series of Beverly Lewis' Amish fiction is my favorite (Annie's people). I love the simple life of the Amish and the Mennonites; the first Buckwalters to the USA were Mennonites seeking religious freedom--they settled near Valley Forge, PA and we have been to see the areas they lived in. We even found "Buckwalter Road"-which was fantastic! Anyway, I love how the Amish focus on the present day, cook from their own gardens/animals, live so simply with no consumerism. They take care of themselves and follow the earth's cycles of seasons and night/day. It's beyond interesting and I've learned a lot of Pennsylvania dutch words, their traditions, how some feel trapped and others feel safe in their world; and how some have to find where they best fit in. If it was a movie, it would be rated G.
February 10, 2020
I didn't enjoy this book as much as the second book in this series, but I did like the ending overall. There were certain plot twists and plot points that I felt were revealed in the least exciting and dramatic way possible, making them feel like they just kind of fell on their face. There were a couple minor things at the end that bothered me, but those were more personal. Overall, I loved the character growth in this novel, especially Zeke's! I enjoyed the resolutions of all the characters and plot lines and felt they all made sense and we're very satisfactory.
June 24, 2013
love her books and this was a good book
September 12, 2014
Enjoy reading about Pennsylvania and the Amish.
I great up in NE Central Pennsylvania, Watsontown, Milton, Muncy and Williamsport.
We worked with other Amish Families farming together.
I great up in NE Central Pennsylvania, Watsontown, Milton, Muncy and Williamsport.
We worked with other Amish Families farming together.
October 2, 2022
I read this book in just under two days. It certainly caught and held my interest. I appreciated the main characters and could mostly identify with them. But the ending of this book just didn't work for me.
Zeke, one of the main characters, . I wish it were that simple. Becoming a Christian does not just erase all of one's problems. Real life experience has made that clear.
Annie and Ben both got saved, but decided to . The Amish church taught that assurance of salvation was pride, and that it is impossible to know whether one is saved. Not true, according to the Bible. And with regard to the Bible, the Amish church actively discouraged people from studying Scripture for themselves. How's that going to work out ?
Annie . Later, her father stood up for her and . So everything was tied up in a neat bow with a cherry on top.
Don't get me wrong, I do love a happy ending, but it needs to be realistic in order to work. It was difficult to suspend my disbelief on this "perfect" ending. (To be fair, my experiences are colored by sharing much in common with one of the characters, Esther, and yet things turned out much differently for me than they did for her.) Then again, I, too, found light and hope. Just in a different way, but through the same grace of God.
An interesting trilogy overall. The descriptions of the people and places were like being there. The story was captivating. It was just the ending that didn't work on this one.
Zeke, one of the main characters, . I wish it were that simple. Becoming a Christian does not just erase all of one's problems. Real life experience has made that clear.
Annie and Ben both got saved, but decided to . The Amish church taught that assurance of salvation was pride, and that it is impossible to know whether one is saved. Not true, according to the Bible. And with regard to the Bible, the Amish church actively discouraged people from studying Scripture for themselves. How's that going to work out ?
Annie . Later, her father stood up for her and . So everything was tied up in a neat bow with a cherry on top.
Don't get me wrong, I do love a happy ending, but it needs to be realistic in order to work. It was difficult to suspend my disbelief on this "perfect" ending. (To be fair, my experiences are colored by sharing much in common with one of the characters, Esther, and yet things turned out much differently for me than they did for her.) Then again, I, too, found light and hope. Just in a different way, but through the same grace of God.
An interesting trilogy overall. The descriptions of the people and places were like being there. The story was captivating. It was just the ending that didn't work on this one.
August 15, 2020
Involving people who were Amish, Mennonites and "Englishers," this book was the conclusion to Annie's People. Annie and Ben both found their way to a relationship with a predictable ending to the mystery that was part of the series. A couple of other threads were concluded and a couple left hanging. If you like Amish fiction, this one is a little different from the usual plot included in most of the Amish fiction.
October 21, 2024
More like a 3.5. There were a lot of things that felt unresolved to me. For example, what happens to Annie's friend Luisa, who decided to return to Colorado?
I'm glad that Esther and her husband are reunited, and Ben's secret was not what I expected. But… I have unanswered Questions. Of course the ending is predictable, and Annie for the most part gets what she wants. This is a reason why I read Beverly Lewis's books. I want an element of predictability in my otherwise ever changing life.
I'm glad that Esther and her husband are reunited, and Ben's secret was not what I expected. But… I have unanswered Questions. Of course the ending is predictable, and Annie for the most part gets what she wants. This is a reason why I read Beverly Lewis's books. I want an element of predictability in my otherwise ever changing life.
April 30, 2022
I really liked the conclusion and the actual ending of this series. Annie is so lovable, so in love with Ben and so good to her friends. She is spiritual even though she defied her father and leaves home to help a shunned Esther. I figured out what was going to happen to Ben but still really admired the author’s sharing Jesus’ words of salvation.
August 14, 2025
Wow!! This was so good! The plot twist were crazy!!! Definitely not expecting that! Such a good series and the ending is amazing!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 28, 2017
This is the first Amish fiction I have read, and although I rated the first two books in this series at five stars (that rating still stands), Beverly Lewis' ultimate treatment of abuse within a Christian marriage forces me to give the last book only three stars. She is an amazing author who brings her characters to life and shows remarkable insight into human nature and motivations. So it came as almost a physical shock when on three different occasions (about one instance per book), she threw in absolutely senseless and unfounded accusations against women--stating that women are born with a basic motivation to control men. This is what I call the complementarian "Evil Woman" doctrine that pervades evangelical teaching. It is a made up doctrine (created by a woman named Susan Foe) widely dispersed by the Council of Biblical Manhood and Womanhood. I was disappointed to find it so blatantly stated in books written by Beverly Lewis. I suspect she probably throws about one anti-woman zinger in each of her books. There is no doubt she does her homework before writing her stories. And I loved that she presented the multi-faceted nature of the Amish culture, showing both the good and the bad. I bonded with her characters and truly cared about what was going to happen to them. I was impressed by her over-all treatment of domestic violence throughout most of this series. In all three books, she captured many details of the experience from both the abused and the abuser's point of views. Lewis seemed to grasp that resolution in a violent marriage is not a simple process, and indeed, may not even be possible. Up to a point, her treatment of the subject was stellar. And, from painful experience, I can recommend her portrayal of life in an abusive marriage, to readers who are interested in learning more about the subject of Christians and domestic violence. Having said that, I was truly disappointed that just when it appeared she would go the distance in treating a complicated (and crucial within the Christian community) subject (and I appreciated that she did go further than most Christian authors), in the end, she reached for the rose-colored glasses (I talk about these in "Woman Submit!") and did a compete 180, returning to the over-simplified traditional-role-religion party-line in regards to abusive marriages. I was not aware that she dealt with the subject when I began reading the first book. I am glad I read the series. I heartily recommend the series. The books make for great reading. Just watch out for the zingers and take the over-simplified solution to abuse with a grain of salt.
January 4, 2017
I was very disappointed in this whole trilogy.
Book one left so many loose ends it was not worth reading. Book two tied up a few but still left the majority hanging in the wind but gave a clear indication of where things were going. Book three played out pretty much as expected. There were no twists or surprises that were not seen a mile away.
For three volumes the author went into minute details and dragged this on from day to day. Then, suddenly, she seemed to slap an end on the book. She left a few things hanging and just gave an unsatisfactory epilogue.
This book also got very preachy. While faith is an integral part of the first two books this one got very heavy handed. All our major characters had a faith crisis and then she threw in a touch of O'Henry for good measure.
The story is also far from empowering for women. I heard how popular these books are but I really cannot understand why. The characters were likable enough but the story left a lot to be desired.
Book one left so many loose ends it was not worth reading. Book two tied up a few but still left the majority hanging in the wind but gave a clear indication of where things were going. Book three played out pretty much as expected. There were no twists or surprises that were not seen a mile away.
For three volumes the author went into minute details and dragged this on from day to day. Then, suddenly, she seemed to slap an end on the book. She left a few things hanging and just gave an unsatisfactory epilogue.
This book also got very preachy. While faith is an integral part of the first two books this one got very heavy handed. All our major characters had a faith crisis and then she threw in a touch of O'Henry for good measure.
The story is also far from empowering for women. I heard how popular these books are but I really cannot understand why. The characters were likable enough but the story left a lot to be desired.
October 19, 2014
Yikes, how could book 2 end as it did??? Dying to know what happens next.,,
I really loved this trilogy! Things fell into place, but not always as I expected or wanted them. Still feel a little bit like some things are left hanging, but not much (I will fill in with my own wants)...
So, if you enjoy a good clean read with religious "preaching" included (it may upset some readers), with amish & englisher alike learning & growing as they live out their lives, you will enjoy this series. Good love story &/or coming of age story, depending how you look at it.
I really loved this trilogy! Things fell into place, but not always as I expected or wanted them. Still feel a little bit like some things are left hanging, but not much (I will fill in with my own wants)...
So, if you enjoy a good clean read with religious "preaching" included (it may upset some readers), with amish & englisher alike learning & growing as they live out their lives, you will enjoy this series. Good love story &/or coming of age story, depending how you look at it.
August 23, 2022
Book 3, over 1100 pages of a series that I think could have been written in one book. Clean read.
June 6, 2014
this is the last in the "Annie's People" series. why I love these Amish stories, whose focus is on a god I don't believe in and a way of life I could not live, I don't know but I do. maybe it's the heartwarming attitude of these Plain folk that I love. I certainly admire them and the living of their way. I especially like that they do NOT have daylight savings! LOL! have read more than this one trilogy and always enjoy the stories.
May 2, 2014
Such a great book.
be sure to read the books in order. you will miss the whole theme of the story. I enjoyed very much reading it. Beverly Lewis has a way of keep wanting her reader waiting for the next situation to happen. although I do feel the last in the series was rushed a bit. everything came to and end so fast. yet I ALWAYS enjoy Beverly stories
be sure to read the books in order. you will miss the whole theme of the story. I enjoyed very much reading it. Beverly Lewis has a way of keep wanting her reader waiting for the next situation to happen. although I do feel the last in the series was rushed a bit. everything came to and end so fast. yet I ALWAYS enjoy Beverly stories
February 10, 2019
I loved the trilogy.... just wasn’t thrilled with the ending. The characters were well developed.... you fell in love with some... you disliked some. It was an education about just how strict Amish culture is... I also got and education about Mennonites vs Amish. If you are a feminist, this will infuriate you. I am not a “feminist” but really didn’t like how the women are treated.
August 14, 2014
Wonderful end to a great book
Wonderful end to a great book
This is the last book of this series and I loved every thing about it. The faith, the tugging of the heart, family and true love. I would highly recommend this book.
Wonderful end to a great book
This is the last book of this series and I loved every thing about it. The faith, the tugging of the heart, family and true love. I would highly recommend this book.
February 2, 2015
Really loved how this book was written. Just the right amount of wonder & suspense to keep me going ( though I had an idea in the 2nd book of what the truth was). Glad to see I was right for once on how a series would end. Truly a great book to read!
March 13, 2015
This is the thrid book in the series Annie's People. Absolutely awesome story. So many
life lessons to be learned. I loved the characters. Reading it I felt I was right there
in Lancaster County.
life lessons to be learned. I loved the characters. Reading it I felt I was right there
in Lancaster County.
February 12, 2016
I am laughing currently because a character is "Driving through a Blink and miss town called Fairview Ohio- with not 1 gas station" I live about 20 minutes from there and I am pretty sure they have at least 1 gas station... haha.
November 20, 2017
I think along with other reviewers, there should be a book 4.
THIS SUMMARY/REVIEW WAS COPIED FROM OTHER SOURCES AND IS USED ONLY AS A REMINDER OF WHAT THE BOOK WAS ABOUT FOR MY PERSONAL INTEREST. ANY PERSONAL NOTATIONS ARE FOR MY RECOLLECTION ONLY
*
1) Will Annie join the Amish Church?
2) Will her "fancy" friend Louisa join the Amish Church?
3) Will Annie be with her English (non-Amish) boyfriend, Ben?
4) Who will Louisa end up with?
5) Will Annie continue her art, which is viewed as a sin by the church?*
THIS SUMMARY/REVIEW WAS COPIED FROM OTHER SOURCES AND IS USED ONLY AS A REMINDER OF WHAT THE BOOK WAS ABOUT FOR MY PERSONAL INTEREST. ANY PERSONAL NOTATIONS ARE FOR MY RECOLLECTION ONLY
*
1) Will Annie join the Amish Church?
2) Will her "fancy" friend Louisa join the Amish Church?
3) Will Annie be with her English (non-Amish) boyfriend, Ben?
4) Who will Louisa end up with?
5) Will Annie continue her art, which is viewed as a sin by the church?*
August 10, 2026
This last book of the series Annie’s People brought everything and everyone happily together. Things were found out, like the bones that were found buried in a field were not Isaac Hochstetler’s. Ben finds out he was adopted. His parents only knew that he was found on a stranger’s porch, the Martin’s fostered and later adopted him, and the only personal belonging he had was a peach pit. Ben continues to wonder why he’s drawn to Lancaster, and soon clues come together, and Annie realizes Ben must be Isaac, her long lost childhood friend. The only problem is no one, including her father, believes Ben! Jesse is finally convinced when Isaac’s Uncle Moses sees Ben’s unique way his hair falls, and a scar on his foot. Ben’s biological father, Daniel “Ichabod” comes back to Lancaster thinking Isaac’s bones were found, but when he sees Ben, he knows he is definitely Isaac.
Annie stands by Ben all the time, knowing he is Isaac and falls completely in love with him. Annie even goes as far as wanting to become English, but Ben wants to become Amish! Annie loves Ben too much and agrees to stay Amish and get baptized even though she will have to give up her painting. One they get baptized and marry, Jesse finds a way for his daughter to paint, and the Bishop agrees that she can paint and follow the Amish rules.
Louisa is settling back in Colorado and teaching her art classes. Her ex-fiancé still wants to see her and get married, but Louisa can’t get Sam from Lancaster out of her mind. Sam is even turning English, but only time will tell who Louisa will pick, or just stay single.
Zeke and Esther have gone through a lot but things should be better now that Zeke is home from the hospital, has medication for his mental issues, has realized his brother Isaac is alive, and has come to know Jesus in a better way.
Annie stands by Ben all the time, knowing he is Isaac and falls completely in love with him. Annie even goes as far as wanting to become English, but Ben wants to become Amish! Annie loves Ben too much and agrees to stay Amish and get baptized even though she will have to give up her painting. One they get baptized and marry, Jesse finds a way for his daughter to paint, and the Bishop agrees that she can paint and follow the Amish rules.
Louisa is settling back in Colorado and teaching her art classes. Her ex-fiancé still wants to see her and get married, but Louisa can’t get Sam from Lancaster out of her mind. Sam is even turning English, but only time will tell who Louisa will pick, or just stay single.
Zeke and Esther have gone through a lot but things should be better now that Zeke is home from the hospital, has medication for his mental issues, has realized his brother Isaac is alive, and has come to know Jesus in a better way.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 17, 2024
Het laatste deel van deze serie gelezen en het was gelijk het mooiste deel. De boeken van Beverly Lewis lezen makkelijk weg, een soort streekromans maar dan in Amishland. Vroeger genoot ik van de rustige levensbeschrijving van de Amish. Het leek me zo makkelijk om een voorgeschreven geloof tr hebben. Nu echter mis ik daarin het hebben van een persoonlijke relatie met God, het mogen kennen van God en van Hem te willen leren. In dit boek echter worstelen juist de hoofdpersonen met dit dilemma. Ze kiezen vóór een persoonlijk geloof en kiezen ieder persoonlijk een weg om dit in te passen in de traditionele wegen van de Amish. Echt mooi en ontroerend om te lezen.
Read the last part of this series and it was the best part. Beverly Lewis's books are easy to read, a kind of regional novel, but set in Amishland. I used to enjoy the calm biography of the Amish. It seemed so easy to me to have a prescribed faith. However, now I miss having a personal relationship with God, being able to know God and wanting to learn from Him. In this book, however, the main characters struggle with this dilemma. They choose a personal faith and each personally chooses a way to fit this into the traditional ways of the Amish. Really beautiful and moving to read.
Read the last part of this series and it was the best part. Beverly Lewis's books are easy to read, a kind of regional novel, but set in Amishland. I used to enjoy the calm biography of the Amish. It seemed so easy to me to have a prescribed faith. However, now I miss having a personal relationship with God, being able to know God and wanting to learn from Him. In this book, however, the main characters struggle with this dilemma. They choose a personal faith and each personally chooses a way to fit this into the traditional ways of the Amish. Really beautiful and moving to read.
June 22, 2017
Shelby, Village patron, June 2017, 5 stars:
The Brethren is the third and last book in the Annie's People series by Beverly Lewis. Annie decides to leave the Amish faith to be able to marry Ben, the englisher, and to be free to paint. Her parents are secretly devastated by her rebellion. Ben finds out he is adopted and begins to remember his childhood. He turns out to be the missing child, Isaac, Annie's long-lost childhood playmate. He finds a picture Annie painted on the farm journal cover and remembers the swing and the little playmate, Annie, from his childhood. He meets his real father who recognizes him as his son, Isaac who was kidnapped and carried away from Amish country at the age of four. Ben/Isaac decides to come "home" and join the Amish faith. Annie decides to give up her painting and joins the church and marries Isaac. Then Annie's father, the preacher, obtains permission from the bishop for Annie to be able to paint her pictures, and her cup of joy is full, with her beloved Ben/Isaac as her husband and her ability to pursue her artistic endeavors.
The Brethren is the third and last book in the Annie's People series by Beverly Lewis. Annie decides to leave the Amish faith to be able to marry Ben, the englisher, and to be free to paint. Her parents are secretly devastated by her rebellion. Ben finds out he is adopted and begins to remember his childhood. He turns out to be the missing child, Isaac, Annie's long-lost childhood playmate. He finds a picture Annie painted on the farm journal cover and remembers the swing and the little playmate, Annie, from his childhood. He meets his real father who recognizes him as his son, Isaac who was kidnapped and carried away from Amish country at the age of four. Ben/Isaac decides to come "home" and join the Amish faith. Annie decides to give up her painting and joins the church and marries Isaac. Then Annie's father, the preacher, obtains permission from the bishop for Annie to be able to paint her pictures, and her cup of joy is full, with her beloved Ben/Isaac as her husband and her ability to pursue her artistic endeavors.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 17, 2020
I am not the type of person that should read this book.
If you have a strong faith, want no plot, and terrible dialogue, this is a great book. If you are not meet all three of those, it's terrible. If you have strong faith, that's not enough to save this book.
I am not Amish, so I will not comment on the dialogue between those characters. To me it seems like small children pretending to be adults, but maybe I am so unfamiliar with that way of life, it is true. However, as someone outside of that circle, the dialogue between fancy people is absolutely terrible. There's no connection or emotion. Even between parents and their kids.
The plot was obvious from the get-go. Fine, God does miracles. But it could be at least interesting. even not having read the first two books, you knew what was going to happen three chapters in.
I did get this book for free. And, sometimes, there's a reason free books are free.
If you have a strong faith, want no plot, and terrible dialogue, this is a great book. If you are not meet all three of those, it's terrible. If you have strong faith, that's not enough to save this book.
I am not Amish, so I will not comment on the dialogue between those characters. To me it seems like small children pretending to be adults, but maybe I am so unfamiliar with that way of life, it is true. However, as someone outside of that circle, the dialogue between fancy people is absolutely terrible. There's no connection or emotion. Even between parents and their kids.
The plot was obvious from the get-go. Fine, God does miracles. But it could be at least interesting. even not having read the first two books, you knew what was going to happen three chapters in.
I did get this book for free. And, sometimes, there's a reason free books are free.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 269 reviews