The Fiddler Book Review

Home to Hickory Hollow

SUMMARY:  Come home to Hickory Hollow, Pennsylvania - the beloved setting where Beverly Lewis's celebrated Amish novels began - with new characters and new stories of drama, romance, and the ties that draw people together.

     A wrong turn in a rainstorm leads Englisher Amelia Devries to Michael Hostetler - and the young Amishman's charming Old Order community of Hickory Hollow.  Despite their very different backgrounds, Amelia and Michael both feel hemmed in by the expectations of others and struggle with how to find room for their own hopes.  And what first seems to be a chance encounter might just change their lives forever.

REVIEW:  Amelia was a child prodigy on the violin.  Trained as a concert violinist since she was three, her whole life has revolved around practicing and performing solos with the top orchestras.  With little time to pursue her own interests, she steals away on occasion to perform in fiddling contests and concerts, and away from the watchful eyes of her manager, boyfriend, and parents.

     Michael is feeling pressure from his parents, family members and community to finally end his Rumschpringe (a time for Amish youth to see what the outside world is like) and officially join the Church.  At age 25, he should have already made his decision but his heart is pulled to things in the outside world - working on his education as a draftsman, listening to music, and the freedom life as an Englisher offers.

     This is an excellent story told by a master storyteller.  Beverly Lewis delicately blends Amelia and Michael's stories and shows us the similarities of their lives in the midst of major differences. The storyline of the Amishman and the Outsider developing a friendship that could lead to romance is different and refreshing.  The ending is not what I expected but I liked it. This is a wonderful story!!!

This book was provided by Bethany House for review without compensation.

Beverly Lewis, born in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch country, has more than seventeen million books in print.  Her stories have been published in eleven languages and have regularly appeared on numerous bestseller lists, including the New York Times and USA Today.