Almost Amish ~ Book Review

    Kathryn Cushman is a graduate of Samford University with a degree in pharmacy. She is the author of five novels, including Leaving Yesterday and A Promise to Remember, which were both finalists for the Carol Award in Women's Fiction. She is also the co-author of Angel Song with Sheila Walsh. Kathryn and her family currently live in Santa Barbara, California. Visit her website:

www.kathryncushman.com 

    Almost Amish, by Kathryn Cushman, is the story of two women, Susan and Julie, their children (three young teenagers) and the adventure they decide to share for one summer.  Susan is a recently divorced woman with one daughter (Angie), and her sister-in-law, Julie, is married to Susan’s brother.  Julie and Thomas have two children, Whitney and Brian.  Susan is a very disciplined, hard-nosed, ambitious woman who has some successes in writing cookbooks and doing demonstrations on live TV, namely, on the program starring Lisa Lee, talk-show host. 

    Lisa wants to do a summer segment with a “typical” American family living near an Amish community and attempting to emulate the way the Amish people live.  It is a challenge to most American families, but Susan persuades Julie and her children to join her in the venture.  She feels it is her way to set herself up for many more opportunities in the future and thus, be able to keep her daughter in the best schools and maintain her life-style without having to depend on someone else.

    The two women and three teenagers arrive at their appointed new home, which does little to meet their expectations in any way.  But because of their commitment to the program, they set about to make the very best of it.  They begin by cleaning the house meticulously (Susan is much, MUCH more particular about this than Julie), planting a garden in the space they have prepared, caring for the animals that come with the farm, and learning to cook and do laundry on primitive equipment.  This becomes a huge challenge and one that leads to many conflicts and personality flare-ups.  Amongst all this they are introduced to several interesting people who can make their lives miserable or become a special blessing.  The children are extremely reluctant at times, but at other times, overcome their fears and learn to accept what they are doing for this short period of time. 

    This is a story about changing lives, changing attitudes, learning about forgiveness in a real way, and blessing others by their actions.  At times the story is somewhat unbelievable, but at others, it sets a tone to be greatly admired and gives the reader much to think about.  There are both tears and laughter throughout the book, but some very serious occasions occur which lead to extremely teachable moments for all the characters.  A good read.

Here's an excerpt of "Almost Amish":

Almost Amish

Would you like a Reading Group / Book Club Guide?  Here you are:

Readers' Discussion Questions for Almost Amish:

1. Amish life is much more difficult than modern life in so many ways. Why do you think many modern women envy this lifestyle?
2. Name three things about modern life you would be more than happy to give up. Name three that you couldn't do without.
3. Were your parents more like Julie, who trusts her kids to find their own way, or Susan, who believes that kids need to be pushed to achieve their potential? Which kind of parent are you (or which kind do you think you will be)?
4. There is a fine line between pushing yourself (and your kids) too hard, and being lax. How do you try to differentiate between the two?
5. Susan had always envisioned herself as the quintessential wife and mother. When her marriage fell apart, a large part of her self-esteem began to erode. From which of your strengths do you derive the most self-worth? What would happen if that suddenly fell apart?
6. Do you consider yourself more of a Susan, type A, in control person, or a Julie, type B, pushed around by the type A's person?
7. Can you think of a God-given gift or talent that you possess but have been too busy to use?

An interview with the author, Kathryn Cushman:

Julieanne

Joy In Our Journey.com

I was provided with one paperback copy of Almost Amish in exchange for Joy In Our Journey's honest review.  No other compensation was provided. 

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