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Rosanna of The Amish: The Restored Text
Joseph W. Yoder's thrillling narrative of an Irish Catholic baby girl brought up by an Amish woman represents the beginnings of Mennonite literature in America. In this new edition, the original 1940 text is restored and the classic book is placed in its cultural and historical context with a critical introduction by Julia Spicher Kasdorf. The earthy Pennsylvania German colloquial language of earlier editions can now be read as the author intended.
350 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1973
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
September 12, 2014
This another one of those books that gave me a window into a culture that I would never have seen on my own. It was interesting & very much captivated me. I really appreciated the fact that the Amish in the book are much more like me than different - that was a surprise.
June 16, 2012
This book tells the story of a baby who was raised by an Amishwoman after the baby's mother died a few days after her birth. Pat McGonegal of Ireland had followed the love of his life, Bridget O’Connor, to America. Pat boarded with an Amish woman, Elizabeth Yoder, and after he married Bridget, the two continued to live there until they found a house.
The couple’s family grew. Unfortunately, after the birth of Rosanna, complications set in and Bridget died, leaving behind Pat and four motherless children. He soon decided to take the three older children to find homes for them with friends and relatives in the Philadelphia area. Elizabeth offered to keep Rosanna until he could provide a home for her.
The years rolled by and Pat never returned to claim his daughter because he had died in an accident. Elizabeth reared Rosanna as an Amish girl, and Rosanna embraced the faith and married an Amish man. This book tells the story of the adaptations she made and the family she raised in the Amish faith before being reunited with her siblings.
The book is a great read to learn more about Amish customs as observed through the eyes of the author, who is Rosanna’s son Joseph.
The couple’s family grew. Unfortunately, after the birth of Rosanna, complications set in and Bridget died, leaving behind Pat and four motherless children. He soon decided to take the three older children to find homes for them with friends and relatives in the Philadelphia area. Elizabeth offered to keep Rosanna until he could provide a home for her.
The years rolled by and Pat never returned to claim his daughter because he had died in an accident. Elizabeth reared Rosanna as an Amish girl, and Rosanna embraced the faith and married an Amish man. This book tells the story of the adaptations she made and the family she raised in the Amish faith before being reunited with her siblings.
The book is a great read to learn more about Amish customs as observed through the eyes of the author, who is Rosanna’s son Joseph.
February 4, 2022
Even tho this was a book for my Amish class, it’s def going toward my book goal!!
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May 17, 2015I remember little of this book, but -- when I unearthed it in a box from my parents' attic, my instinct was to squeal. I realized that I have hazy (partially repressed) memories of being ten years old, going to Lancaster County, and buying this book at a wood-paneled shop that sold mostly Shoo-Fly Pies and candies sticky with molasses. And this book.
Frankly, the cynic in me now thinks, who knows what bullshit neoliberal pioneering was espoused in my beloved Little House on the Prairie books and what colonialist purpose this book's narrative promoted! I get indignant and I get ornery. Whose lands were these first!
But, shamefully, I also remember being ten years old and thinking with stern vexation that I had been kept in the dark about this, "Oh my God, the prairie still exists?"
And, this younger, but equally, enterprising, scrappy, hustling version of myself was intrigued.
So, I don't know. Check it out, maybe? I will tell you that the opening page indicates that I am about to enjoy reading about: "Rosanna's first husking bee and singing;" "German preaching services and choosing ministers; "Amish weddings"..."and funerals," (there are actually no words omitted via that ellipsis, but we needed a sense of drama,);"Simple dress, hard work, and good food;" "Wrestling matches between farm boys," (...); "The Amish taking care of their own."
I think that says it all.
Frankly, the cynic in me now thinks, who knows what bullshit neoliberal pioneering was espoused in my beloved Little House on the Prairie books and what colonialist purpose this book's narrative promoted! I get indignant and I get ornery. Whose lands were these first!
But, shamefully, I also remember being ten years old and thinking with stern vexation that I had been kept in the dark about this, "Oh my God, the prairie still exists?"
And, this younger, but equally, enterprising, scrappy, hustling version of myself was intrigued.
So, I don't know. Check it out, maybe? I will tell you that the opening page indicates that I am about to enjoy reading about: "Rosanna's first husking bee and singing;" "German preaching services and choosing ministers; "Amish weddings"..."and funerals," (there are actually no words omitted via that ellipsis, but we needed a sense of drama,);"Simple dress, hard work, and good food;" "Wrestling matches between farm boys," (...); "The Amish taking care of their own."
I think that says it all.
March 21, 2013
This book was written by Jospeh Yoder about his mother, Rosanna McGonegal Yoder. Rosanna was born in 1838 to Irish Catholic parents. Her mother died a few days after Rosanna was born. Her father took his 3 other children and left the area....said he would return for Rosanna and never came back.
Rosanna was taken in and raised by an unmarried Amish woman.
I found the story fasinating. This is a true story, but it isn't written as just a bunch of facts and figures. Many times in true stories, the plot does not flow easily. Joseph talks about the characters as if he knew them all very well.
The story could have been written about Amish in many periods of time....maybe even today. So many of the rules of the Amish are the same as today. (at least according to what I have read) However, I did find it interesting that Elizabeth Yoder, as a single woman, was able to run a boarding house. I believe that there are goups of Amish where this would not have been permitted.
Rosanna is raised Amish, but her 3 Irish Catholic siblings do keep in touch with her and as adults they come to visit her.
The book does talk about how the Amish worship, their clothing, and their traditions, however it is written in an interesting manner. Be sure to read the short biography of Joseph Yoder at the end of the book.
Rosanna was taken in and raised by an unmarried Amish woman.
I found the story fasinating. This is a true story, but it isn't written as just a bunch of facts and figures. Many times in true stories, the plot does not flow easily. Joseph talks about the characters as if he knew them all very well.
The story could have been written about Amish in many periods of time....maybe even today. So many of the rules of the Amish are the same as today. (at least according to what I have read) However, I did find it interesting that Elizabeth Yoder, as a single woman, was able to run a boarding house. I believe that there are goups of Amish where this would not have been permitted.
Rosanna is raised Amish, but her 3 Irish Catholic siblings do keep in touch with her and as adults they come to visit her.
The book does talk about how the Amish worship, their clothing, and their traditions, however it is written in an interesting manner. Be sure to read the short biography of Joseph Yoder at the end of the book.
June 10, 2020
Minimal technology. Lots of hard work. An unswaying faith in God. Little drama. Strong connections with the natural rhythm of life. Yoder conveys the essence of his Amish life. People seem content. Some conflict, but not much. Was life really this uncomplicated and 'perfect?'
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June 14, 2020yes the pro amish propaganda did make several points
July 20, 2019
Based on a true life story (the author is the son of the title character), it chronicles the life of an Irish baby whose mother dies shortly after she's born. The father leaves the baby girl with an Amish woman who is oa close friend of the family while he takes the rest of his children to Philadelphia to get them settled. Unfortunately, the father dies before he is able to retrieve his young daughter--so she ends up being raised by the Amish woman and eventually joins the Amish church, marries an Amish man, and raises her own family. (She does also eventually reconnect with her siblings.)
The reader gets to see Amish life from the viewpoint of someone who lived it. Some of the reasons behind Amish customs are explained but some, we are told they do them, but not told why the Amish choose to do them that way beyond "that is the way it is done". While I do agree that some traditions are worth keeping, I also think that continuing to do things only because it's "the way it's always been done" is not wise. There are times that change can be beneficial--so we need to evaluate what change is being proposed and why and then rationally decide if it is the right thing to do.
The book is honest about their being divisions in the Amish (and Mennonite) churches. Some want to keep things very conservative, others are more open to making changes if there is a rational reason for making them (for example only being able to wear white shirts vs. being able to wear colored shirts for work because they don't spoil as easily and are easier to get clean).
Since Rosanna was raised Amish, I was a bit confused when her adopted mother was encouraging her to be a teacher. I do understand it, since Elizabeth was concerned that Rosanna would have to support herself at some point. However, most Amish groups I know stop education at 8th grade. I would think more than an 8th grade education would be needed to be a teacher (unless they were talking about her being a teacher at an "only Amish" school, but I didn't get that sense--and I think there may have even been a sentence stating that the Amish hadn't started their own schools at this time.)
When Elizabeth got remarried, her second husband put the kibosh on Rosanna becoming a teacher.
But of Rosanna and Christli's 5 children only 1 joined the Amish church. (One died in infancy, so we can't know what she would have chosen.) The other 3 chose different paths, with two of them becoming teachers. I'm guessing since they never joined the church they weren't placed under the bann/shunned like they would have been if they'd joined the church and then gone against the Ordnung and pursued education. That isn't addressed in this book (though there is one report of a church member being asked to be placed under the bann and then being asked to be reinstated when he felt he'd truly repented.)
The reader gets to see Amish life from the viewpoint of someone who lived it. Some of the reasons behind Amish customs are explained but some, we are told they do them, but not told why the Amish choose to do them that way beyond "that is the way it is done". While I do agree that some traditions are worth keeping, I also think that continuing to do things only because it's "the way it's always been done" is not wise. There are times that change can be beneficial--so we need to evaluate what change is being proposed and why and then rationally decide if it is the right thing to do.
The book is honest about their being divisions in the Amish (and Mennonite) churches. Some want to keep things very conservative, others are more open to making changes if there is a rational reason for making them (for example only being able to wear white shirts vs. being able to wear colored shirts for work because they don't spoil as easily and are easier to get clean).
Since Rosanna was raised Amish, I was a bit confused when her adopted mother was encouraging her to be a teacher. I do understand it, since Elizabeth was concerned that Rosanna would have to support herself at some point. However, most Amish groups I know stop education at 8th grade. I would think more than an 8th grade education would be needed to be a teacher (unless they were talking about her being a teacher at an "only Amish" school, but I didn't get that sense--and I think there may have even been a sentence stating that the Amish hadn't started their own schools at this time.)
When Elizabeth got remarried, her second husband put the kibosh on Rosanna becoming a teacher.
But of Rosanna and Christli's 5 children only 1 joined the Amish church. (One died in infancy, so we can't know what she would have chosen.) The other 3 chose different paths, with two of them becoming teachers. I'm guessing since they never joined the church they weren't placed under the bann/shunned like they would have been if they'd joined the church and then gone against the Ordnung and pursued education. That isn't addressed in this book (though there is one report of a church member being asked to be placed under the bann and then being asked to be reinstated when he felt he'd truly repented.)
January 16, 2016
(Y & Cabin Fever) 3.5 stars. Interesting book about Amish life and an Irish Catholic baby girl who grows up in an Amish community.
Started this book over (was only 20 pages in), so I can count it toward a 2013 challenge.
Likes:
* Tales about life in an Amish family
* Amish powwowing - faith healing
Dislikes:
Started this book over (was only 20 pages in), so I can count it toward a 2013 challenge.
Likes:
* Tales about life in an Amish family
* Amish powwowing - faith healing
Dislikes:
October 13, 2017
An Irish-Catholic lass grows up Amish by twists of fate. A true story that introduced me to the daily ways of the Amish and the Yoder family.
Much to discover about child rearing, courtship and marriage, festivities, work, and the observance of religious practice in all aspects of everyday life. All is not peaches in Georgia as we are also shown the Bann, which is equal to a social death, from which one can be resurrected, and actual death, and the healing practice of powwowing, about which I would like to learn more.
This is a lovely introduction to Amish life and customs that reminded me of how Black people once functioned with high degrees of self-reliance because we had to. We took care of our own. We sheltered and adopted orphans, we fed the hungry, we educated our young, we worked hard. Then, the "integration" came and shattered our unity. We'd have done better to follow the command to be not conformed to this world.
That the children of these gentle people were victimized by a madman with a gun haunts me. Yet, they have moved on in peace and forgiveness. Testament to their beliefs which are actualized daily.
I admire the Amish as much as I do Jehovah's Witnesses.
Excellent read.
Much to discover about child rearing, courtship and marriage, festivities, work, and the observance of religious practice in all aspects of everyday life. All is not peaches in Georgia as we are also shown the Bann, which is equal to a social death, from which one can be resurrected, and actual death, and the healing practice of powwowing, about which I would like to learn more.
This is a lovely introduction to Amish life and customs that reminded me of how Black people once functioned with high degrees of self-reliance because we had to. We took care of our own. We sheltered and adopted orphans, we fed the hungry, we educated our young, we worked hard. Then, the "integration" came and shattered our unity. We'd have done better to follow the command to be not conformed to this world.
That the children of these gentle people were victimized by a madman with a gun haunts me. Yet, they have moved on in peace and forgiveness. Testament to their beliefs which are actualized daily.
I admire the Amish as much as I do Jehovah's Witnesses.
Excellent read.
August 29, 2008
Actually, the book I read was a much worn hardback owned by my Grandmother Widmer. I think that I re read it every time I came to visit her. She also had several sequels to this book, which I read , but I'm not sure of the names ( could it be Rosanna Grows up, and Rosanna's Boys?)
I learned a lot about the Amish from these books, and really enjoyed the stories. The fact that they were true stories helped a lot, too.
I learned a lot about the Amish from these books, and really enjoyed the stories. The fact that they were true stories helped a lot, too.
January 12, 2022
It's been years since I first read this book. I was quite impressed with it as a youngster and now I have enjoyed it once again. It is the biography of the author's mother who was an Irish orphan adopted by an Amish woman. The book goes on to share Rosanna's life and the Amish culture with accurate detail. Many of the Amish practices haven't changed in hundreds of years. I found this to be a very interesting and informative book.
October 29, 2008
This book is pleasant, sweet, and uplifting, although completely unrealistic. It makes the life of the Amish out to be one of utter perfection - a near-utopia. However, it is a breath of fresh air to read an author who wants everything to be nice and happy and good. It was also an interesting insight into the late 1800's in Pennsylvania, especially for Irish immigrants.
June 27, 2019
At 5 days old, Rosanna's mother died. Her father took her older siblings to be raised by friends and relatives and to look for a job in another town in Pennsyvania. Rosanna was left with a single Amish woman until her Dad could get her. He later died. Rosanna was raised in the Amish ways and this is her life story.
August 2, 2007
Interesting information about the Amish but not superbly written, and it definitely focuses on the positive aspects of life as all the characters are Pollyanna-ish happy, hardworking, and otherwise perfect.
July 27, 2008
I picked this book up when we visited Amish country in PA on a family vacation. I was probably in fifth grade when I read it, and it was one of my top favorite books from my childhood. I look forward to rereading this book as an adult.
September 8, 2008
This is a true story of a young Irish girl from an immigrant family who was orphaned and raised Amish. It is sweet (although definitely uber/unrealistically positive). I liked reading about her and learning more about the Amish culture. I would recommend it, especially to youth.
August 30, 2009
Readers who love Little House and Anne of Green Gables will enjoy this book based on the author's family stories of an Amish community in Pennsylvania. A lot of information about what Amish believe and their customs.
February 23, 2012
This was a fascinating inside look at Amish life. I enjoyed learning more specific details about their lifestyle and why they live as they do. The book was written in a very simple, easy to read style that would be good for younger readers, as well.
November 22, 2014
This wasn't a bad story, but the reason this is receiving 4 stars is because I am related to some of the characters in the book. This was interesting to me when I was younger to see how my ancestors lived.
December 15, 2015
I enjoyed this book. How the Amish live, work, and worship is very interesting.
Makes me think of the way my Mom's church does things, very similiar.
Loved reading about her life and the love between her and Elizabeth.
Makes me think of the way my Mom's church does things, very similiar.
Loved reading about her life and the love between her and Elizabeth.
Read
October 8, 2007Yoder, Joseph W. PB
April 2, 2008
Foster girl living the amish life
Read
March 25, 2009JF-YAYod
December 5, 2010
Adorable!
December 5, 2010
Our bedtime book with our 10-year old earlier this year. An interesting peek into a different world.
July 2, 2012
I'm really enjoying this book.
March 20, 2020
Since I have done considerable research about the Anabaptists and the Amish, I found this novel about a young girl with a Catholic background being raised by an Amish family to be very interesting.
September 16, 2012
A bit simplistic, but interesting.
September 17, 2012
As a Lancastrian and friend of many Amish, I love this book. It paints a true picture of a generally wonderful group of people
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews