The Parting

When Nellie Mae Fisher’s beloved little sister, Suzy, dies in a terrible accident, unsettling rumors about Suzy’s “English” behavior begins circulating amount the People. Nellie knows that these rumors will be damaging to her relationship to her sweetheart, Caleb Yoder.

The recent drought has many of the People discontent with the ways of the Old Order. Many of the men want tractors and other modern conveniences that have always been forbidden. Will Nellie and Caleb find a way for their relationship to survive the obstacles that are in their path?

Beverly Lewis’s THE PARTING is set in 1966 among an Amish community. This reader really didn’t know much about the Amish until picking up this book and found it fascinating. The reader’s heart goes out for Nellie Mae. She is mourning the loss of her little sister, her closest sibling in a large family. Suzy was seen with several non-Amish people, the English, and it is rumoured that she was engaging in activities that are against the People, and that the direct result of these activities was her death. Nellie Mae knows that if the rumours about Suzy are true, her beloved Caleb’s father will refuse to allow Caleb to marry her. She must find the truth, not matter what it is.

Ms. Lewis is a gifted author and creates amazing stories that draw the reader in and THE PARTING is no exception. Readers will experience a wide range of emotion while reading THE PARTING. This reviewer laughed and cried. It is a truly worthwhile read and one that this reader highly recommends.

The story focuses mostly on Nellie Mae so the reader doesn’t get much insight into Caleb’s character. However, the ending was left in a way that ensures a sequel that surely must entail the continuing story of Nellie Mae and Caleb; a book this reviewer wholeheartedly looks forward to reading, as the ending of this tale was not completely satisfying.

September 2007