The beginning

Reviewed by:

Ceil Carey, retired public librarian and long time book discussion leader

REVIEW INTRODUCTION

Title:

The beginning

Author:

Beverly Lewis

Publisher:

Bethany House

http://bakerpublishinggroup.com/bethanyhouse

Date:

2021

Format:

Paperback

Length:

344 pages

Overview:

This is a very sweet story, calm in its demeanor, few shocking surprises, most subject matter very typical to Amish stories. Susie Mast, her adopted sister Britta and their mother live together, sharing the responsibilities of the small gift shop they own. Their lives seem shaped by the death of their father as well as the hit and run death of their brother Eli. Mamma suffers from severe asthma and when her son Allen invites her for a visit hoping her health might improve, she accepts much to the chagrin of Susie and Britta. Britta is on the verge of young adulthood and desperately wants to know the details of her adoption. Susie, at 22, will soon be considered an old maid yet still hopes for marriage and a family. Her heart has always belonged to her best friend Obie but he is living away and rumor has it that he is “almost engaged”.

Lewis does a lovely job of bringing these loose ends together to very satisfactory conclusions. The beginning is one of Lewis’ standalone books.

Rating:

3.5 out of 5

Suggested audience:

Fans of Christian fiction, particularly Amish fiction and author Beverly Lewis

Christian impact:

So much of the attitude of the Amish is that what happens is God’s will, giving them patience in the midst of trials.