Review: The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery

Publisher: Penguin

Pages: 336

Source: Personal Book

In short, this book is a must read. A compelling, fascinating and a brilliant read. When I first started the book, I thought it was a very "odd" book. Once I gave it some time, I thought it was hilarious and couldn’t put it down. The Elegance of the Hedgehog is an unusual book that focuses on philosophy, class and culture. I really enjoyed the characters. Mmd. Michel and Paloma were two of my favorite. It was very interesting to see their views on the world. They both seem to believe that everyone and everything had a role to play in life, and there is no way around it. A straight cut path that must never be changed. Mmd. Michel believes she is the concierge of the building and nothing more. She hides her intelligence because as a concierge she must fit into her stereotype and the overall hierarchy. Paloma is afraid to become an adult and plans to commit suicide before her 13th birthday. It seems that Paloma believes adults are tarnished. Her mother has been in therapy for ten years, and she clearly has issues with her father and sister. Life is about struture, and stereotypes. Paloma begins to drink tea rather than coffee, coffee is a nasty persons drink while tea is "elegant and enchanting." When Mr. Ozu comes to live in their building, Mmd. Michel is no longer able to hide. He has a suspicion that she is not merely a concierge, he believes her cat is named after Tolstoy and he begins to observe her. Eventually, Mmd. Michel gives in to her convictions. She comes out of her shell, and befriends Mr. Ozu. Mmd Michel's change brings out hope in young Paloma.

This book is a must read, it's entertaining and really makes readers think. A story of interior struggles. The structure of this book works really well, and keeps the readers entertained and stimulated. Each chapter reads like an essay, and Barbery has unquestionable talent. While it did seem strange to begin, it didn’t take me long to be completly absored and invested in the characters. This is a book I would love to reread. 

Review: Beside Still Waters by Tricia Goyer

Publisher: B&H Books

Pages: 320
Source: Publisher
Category: Amish Fiction

Tricia Goyer brings her readers on a breathtaking Amish journey in “Beside Still Waters.” A family unlike the others, scarred by the past and afraid of the future. Marianna is 19 years-old and has everything planned out. She has every intention of being the perfect Amish daughter and making it up to her parents for her lost siblings. Marianna may be the oldest daughter, the one who takes care of the children and the home but she is also the daughter who survived. Two sisters died in a buggy accident the day Marianna decided it was time to enter the world. Every year her birthday was mixed with celebration and sadness. Now, her brother Levi has decided there is more to life than the Amish ways and he has left the community. Marianna must become the role model for her younger siblings. Marianna always knew that the one daughter who lived, was never able to replace the two that were lost. While she wore their clothes, played with their toys and slept in their room, Marianna yearned for a life of her own. A life where she didn’t feel overshadowed. Life was going just as Marianna expected, she was waiting for Aaron Carter to ask her on a date, she was going to enter the church, and she would soon settle down and become a wife and mother. However, her father decided that he must move the family to Montana. Marianna reluctantly agrees to travel with the family, hoping to return in six months to marry Aaron Carter. Montana brings about many life challenges. For the first time in her life Marianna is questioning her ways of life, and her love for God. Could there possibly be more to life than the Amish ways?

“Beside Still Waters” was a fresh perspective on Amish life. I’ve read quite a bit Amish fiction, and I really enjoyed this one. There is a lot of Amish fiction on the market, and many of them seem repetitive. This one is different, this one is great. Tricia Goyer is incredibly talented, and her character development is phenomenal. Her characters are written with love, and their emotions always realistic. This is not just about the “good” and the “bad” in this world, this is about the “grey” element. A wonderful read, and highly recommended.

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Review: In Plain Truth by Jodi Picoult

Publisher: Washington Square Press
Pages: 432
Source: Personal EBook
Category: Fiction

A baby is found on an Amish farm, the authorities believe the baby may have been smothered. As the authorities begin to question those on the farm, Katie Fisher is discovered as the potential mother when she begins to bleed uncontrollably. The authorities call for a ambulance, and Katie is carted off kicking and screaming while the medical staff keep insisting that she has just given birth. Katie is denying everything. When Katie is charged with murdering her baby, her family has no intention of helping their daughter. They would let everything fall as it may, everything would be left to “God’s Will.” Katie’s aunt enlists the help of a dear friend named Ellie. Ellie’s role has lawyer becomes also caretaker, and guardian of Katie when the judge allows Katie to be released into her hands. Together, Katie and Ellie return to the Amish farm. Ellie is shocked when her technological life is turned upside down, she’s frustrated when Katie keeps insisting that she did not give birth to this child. How can Ellie defend her, when she won’t tell her anything? Ellie learns the ins and outs of Amish life, and wonders if she has made the correct decisions in taking on Katie’s case. Her own mother and father seem distant and unresponsive. Her brother has been “shunned” from the community and is not to return. Katie and her story slowly unravel to tell a story that is both shocking and intriguing.

I want to first mention that this was my first Jodi Picoult book, and ultimately I’m standing in the middle neither liking or disliking this book very much. My biggest issue with the book is that fact that I never felt attached to any of the characters. All characters are flawed, and realistic but the story never led me to truly care for them. I never rooted for any of the characters. Jodi Picoult flashes back in time to tell the story of Katie, and her iniquitous past. I thought this was well done and it kept me wondering about the ultimate ending. As a reader I felt left in the dark for a good portion of the book. Much of the book felt slow-moving and at times I felt irritated. The trail felt long and tedious. This was not my first Amish fiction book, while Jodi Picoult includes some key Amish components and I didn’t really feel like I was carried away into an Amish culture. At times I felt like it was more stereotypical, than realistic. I really wanted to read this one, but I had a hard time getting through it. I wouldn’t say that I loathed this book, but I felt extremely disappointed. I would like to give Jodi Picoult another change, and try another one of her books.

What are some of your favourite Jodi Picoult books?

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Review: The Search by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Publisher: Revell
Pages: 298
Source: Publisher/Litfuse Tour
Category: Amish Fiction
Rating: 5/5


Synopsis:

Jonah Riehl has been trying his best to raise his daughter on his own. Living in an Amish community in Ohio, Jonah strives to raise an obedient daughter. One who would serve the Lord before all else. Life has been anything but easy. One terrible night, a buggy accident changed his life forever. His wife, Rebecca was killed, he was gravely injured but miraculously their infant daughter was unhurt. Wrapped in a blanket, little Bess comforted her mother in her final moments. Bess gave her father the strength and determination to persevere. Jonah has been finding it increasingly difficult as a single parent, but Jonah is reluctant to remarry. His heart still remains with his wife, and together Bess and him will survive. When Jonah’s mother writes to request that Bess spend the summer with her, to help her recover from “woman surgery” Jonah encourages Bess to remain with him. When it’s evident that her report card will be arriving shortly, and her algebra exam did not go as planned, Bess decides to go to Rose Hill Farm. Bess is a little reluctant, her grandmother is a little rough around the edges, but she knows duty is essential in the Amish community. When Bess arrives at Rose Hill Farm she quickly realizes that her grandmother’s surgery was nothing more than teeth extraction. Although she is baffled that her grandmother would fabricate an issue to get her to come to visit, she is quickly smitten by her grandmothers hired hand. Billy is handsome, intelligent, and everything Bess believes she wants in a man. While Bess is settling in at Rose Hill Farm, Lainey O’Toole deals with some issues of her own. Her car has broken down in the same town where she grew up, and believing in divine intervention she decides to listen to the clues and stay a short while. She has saved every penny to afford to go to culinary school, and has everything planned out. In the meantime Lainey accepts a job offer at the local bakery. Her car needs to be fixed, and she still has a journey in front of her. She’s sure that her issues will be sorted out shortly, and it is nice to be back home. Although Lainey is content, she does have a deep, dark secret that she has been harbouring for fifteen years. One night when she was ten years old, motherless and afraid she made a decision. This decision affects many individuals at Rose Hill Farm, some are about to find out.


Overall Impression:

Disclosure: I cried. I don’t cry when reading, and I cried. I think that’s a sign that this is a 5 star review. I loved every bit of this book, I was hanging on by every world, and each sentence had me more captivated then the one before.This is the third book in the Lancaster series, and I think this one has been my favourite. The Lancaster series is always filled with drama, and life choices. I really enjoyed book 1 (The Choice) but “The Search” was so heartwarming. Suzanne Woods Fisher constructed these characters that I fell in love with, I’m was carried through their journey, and was instantly hooked. Each character is authentic, genuine and realistically flawed. I was completely absorbed into their world, and I was sad when I closed the book after completion. Suzanne Woods Fisher is an extremely talented author, “The Search” is a riveting tale that must be read. A powerful story of forgiveness, reconciliation, and love. This book will warm your heart, and leave you seeking the goodness that may be hidden, but is unfailingly surrounding each and every one of us. A must read!

Review: The Waiting by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Publisher: Revell (Baker Publishing Group)
Pages: 305
Source: Litfuse Blog Tour
Category: Amish Fiction
Rating: 4/5


Synopsis:

Lancaster County is home to an Amish Community. A close-knit community filled with a variety of personalities. Some who are content with small-town life, and others who wish to see the world. In 1965 Ben Zook is sent to Vietnam. serving as a conscientious objector. He's left behind Jorie King who is living with her grandparents. Jorie King has vowed to wait for Ben to return, and hopes he will ask her to marry him upon his return. Jorie has fallen in love with Ben Zook, a man not content with Amish life. Jorie has been patient and understanding, but she hopes Ben will mature, wish to settle down and marry her according to Amish standards. In the meantime Jorie becomes the newest school teacher, but faces many obstacles when parents do not approve of her teaching tactics. The goodness of Jorie's heart causes issues when she does something the English community disapproves of. Cal Zook, Ben's brother has become the newest minister in the community. He believes Jorie will be the perfect teacher to teach his younger brother Ephraim and daughter Maggie. Cal and his wife Mary-Ann have raised Ephraim since his parents death, and his brother Matthew has helped with the farm. When Mary-Ann suddenly becomes sick, and is diagnosed with cancer she welcomes death and hopes to demonstrate her unwavering faith to her loved ones. She believes this will comfort them, and will be a great lesson in life. Prior to Mary-Ann passing, Ben Zook is reported killed. His ashes are brought back to the community, and a funeral planned. The multiple tragedies strike in a matter of weeks, and Cal is filled with grief. He must accept the death of his brother and wife, while the community watches and openly judges him. Many members encourage Cal to remarry, while Cal wishes for the community to give him space and let him grieve. Cal seeks friendship with Jorie during their time of grief.





Overall Impression:

The Waiting is an inspirational, uplifting book. In the face of tragedy, faith is the comfort. Suzanne Wood Fisher has done it again, she has written an amazing story that had me glued to the pages. I will admit that I enjoyed 'The Choice' more but the Zook's captured my heart as well. I felt frustrated when the community was encouraging Cal to remarry, I really wanted him to move on at his own pace. Many twists and turns kept me thinking, and I never tired. I don't normally read books from the same author back to back but I really loved 'The Choice' and couldn't wait to pick up this one. This book was extremely enjoyable, and I was never expecting to enjoy them as much as I did. I'm really looking forward to the third book in the series. Suzanne Woods Fisher has one more fan, who is patiently waiting for the release of her upcoming book!

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Review: The Choice by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Publisher: Revell (Baker Publishing Group)
Pages: 308
Source: Personal
Category: Christian Fiction (Amish)
Rating: 5/5


Synopsis:

Carrie Weaver thought she had everything planned out. She grew up in an Amish community but she's been leaning on leaving. The love of her life Solomon Riehl has an opportunity to play professional baseball, and Carrie intends to follow him. They plan to marry and leave the Amish community that has always been their home. A hesitant Carrie acknowledges that her and Sol would not be shunned by the community. It is essential that they leave before they're baptized, otherwise they would never be able to come back and visit. However, life is constantly changing and you can never plan your entire life. When Carrie' father passes away after a farm accident, Carrie is drawn to her community and vows to take care of her little brother. She cannot bare to leave Andy with their detestable step-mother. A home that they were brought to when their father married Esther. A home where they never belonged. As far as Carrie is concerned Andy, a hemophiliac has received his last thrashing from Esther. Carrie is distraught when Sol leaves her behind, and she seizes her first opportunity to leave Esther's home. Carrie agrees to marry Daniel, a kind young Amish man her father approved and encouraged before his death. Carrie believes there's no better way to anger Sol. Daniel and Carrie both agree that they do not love each other but wish to build a home and move on from their misfortunes. Carrie inherits an extended family that she begins to adore. Throughout the book many twists and turns cause Carrie struggled with her faith. Her feelings towards Daniel are jumbled, and just as they begin to find their way towards each other Daniel is killed in a buggy accident. Carrie is guilt-ridden and overwhelmed. Carrie has no idea how to manage the orchard on her own, but she's adamant to survive and care for Andy and Daniel's grandmother. She wants to live in a home that is hers, a home where she belongs.




Overall Impression:

This is one of those books that I did not want to put down. It's was my first Amish novel, and I wasn't expecting to love it as much as I did. I fell in love with Carrie from the beginning, I laughed and cried along with her. Carrie is strong-willed and determined, when life kept throwing obstacles in her way she trudged through it all. I admired her, and really wanted her to succeed and be happy. Suzanne Woods Fisher created a sensational, inspirational read. This book dealt with forgiveness, love, anger, guilt and perseverance. I understood when Carrie' faith staggered. After all that she went through, it's hard not to wonder 'why me?' I was honestly thinking the same thing, why? Leave poor Carrie alone, I wanted her to be happy. As Carrie struggled with her Faith, she understood that God would take care of her. It's through the hard times that you need your faith the most. The characters were all amazing, there were characters I loved, others I hated. I stayed up late into the night reading this one, and quickly picked up the next installment 'The Waiting.' Honestly, a truly amazing, uplifting story. One you will not want to put down. This is for anyone who is looking for a gripping story. I will not be parting with book...

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