Almost Amish: A Novel [Paperback]

Kathryn Cushman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 2012

"Cushman crafts strong characters that are
easy to connect with."--Romantic Times

Julie Charlton is at the breaking point. She's overwhelmed and burned out, and in today's unrelenting society, her kids are, too. When her sister-in-law Susan, a Martha Stewart-in-training, lands the chance to participate in a reality TV series promoting simple living, and needs another family to join her, it seems like the perfect opportunity.

The location is an idyllic farm outside an Amish community in Tennessee. Julie, with her two children, joins Susan and her teenage daughter for a summer adventure. Susan needs to succeed in order to become self-sufficient after an ugly divorce, Julie needs to slow down long enough to remember what her priorities are and regain a sense of purpose and meaning. It becomes clear from the start that "living simple" is no simple matter. With the camera watching every move, Susan's drive for perfection feels a lot like what they left behind, while Julie suddenly finds herself needing to stand up for slowing down. With each new challenge, their season of "going Amish" gets more and more complicated, as each woman learns unexpected lessons about herself and her family.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Proving the Simple Life Isn't So Simple After All

Overcommitted and overwhelmed, Julie Charlton is at the breaking point. She knows she should feel blessed as a mother and wife--but she just feels exhausted. And then, the miraculous happens. Her sister-in-law Susan, a Martha Stewart-in-training, lands the chance to participate in a reality TV series about trying to live like the Amish and needs another family to join her. It's just the break Julie needs.

But the summer adventure in simple living soon proves anything but simple. With the camera watching every move, Susan's drive for perfection feels a lot like what they left behind, while Julie suddenly finds herself needing to stand up for slowing down. Whether it's cooking, cleaning, or dressing differently, each new Amish challenge raises new complications...and soon each woman learns unexpected lessons about herself and her family.



"Cushman crafts strong characters that are easy to connect with."
--Romantic Times

"In this heartwarming story of Plain living, Kathryn Cushman creates a simple--yet inconvenient--life. Lessons are learned and timeless truths applied to the challenges of modern culture, making Almost Amish a delightful, impossible-to-put-down read."
--Leslie Gould, co-author of the #1 bestseller, The Amish Midwife

"Readers will be eager to see how the pressure will affect Julie and Susan, who couldn't be more different. Cushman excels at creating easily relatable characters facing challenges that will make them stronger in this fast-paced, engaging inspirational novel." --Booklist

"Well-developed characters and a heartwarming story make Cushman's fifth novel an enjoyable read. Recommend it to fans of Fannie Flagg." --Library Journal

"A superb story...with a fast-moving plot and excellently crafted characters."--The Budget

About the Author

Kathryn Cushman is a graduate of Samford University with a degree in pharmacy. She is the author of four previous novels, including Leaving Yesterday and A Promise to Remember, which were both finalists for the Carol Award in Women's Fiction. Kathryn and her family currently live in Santa Barbara, California. Visit her Web site at www.kathryncushman.com.

Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (July 1, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764208268
• ISBN-13: 978-0764208263
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 1 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (151 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #809,103 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars `Honeysuckle or horse manure: which one was the summer going to be?' quote July 14, 2012

By Harold Wolf TOP 50 REVIEWER

Format:Paperback

The concept of sophisticated urban families (Santa Barbara-ites) attempting to live a Tennessee Amish lifestyle, without the faith basis, sounded intriguing. Besides, I've always considered reality TV lame. How would Kathryn Cushman portray the Christians, as well as the newly released urban `lions', coping in this southern Amish district? Will Reality TV producers turn family against family while they play at Amish roles? Can they last without technology for an entire summer?

Duel protagonists, Julie and Susan, lead their teens on an adventure. They are fully capable to invent their own conflict. One is a perfectionist; another determined to slow the pace. An achiever vs. a self-perceived failure. Type A vs. B. A Biblical Mary vs. Martha. Female David vs. Goliath. It all turns out for the reader to be fun, reality TV in an Amish buggy.

Definitely a book theme of every person having gifts that are worthy in God's sight and use.

This is by far the most unusual Amish book I have ever read. It never lags for entertainment. Chapters move quickly and before you know it there is even a bit of a surprise or two at the end; but it is an end the reader will not want to see coming. You'll wish it had more chapters to the season.
Since 3 of the primary characters are teenagers, 2 girls, one boy, even that age reader will find this a fun novel.
It's Contemporary Fiction, men, not romance, so give it a go. I'm glad I did. I laughed while reading.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars love the idea! July 12, 2012

By Amber

Format:Paperback

Meet Julie, a mom with too much on her plate and not loving her life. Enter Susan, her sister-in-law, who is desperate to make a name for herself in the 'Martha Stewart' world. Susan (and her daughter) have been offered the chance at a reality show that features living 'Almost Amish' and she asks Julie and her kids to come along. Thus begins the adventure of (very) modest clothing, a new form of transportation, lots of cleaning and cooking, and new Amish challenges along the way, all under the watchful eye of the camera.

The author does a great job with the characters, bringing life to the teenagers (though I think they would have done a bit more complaining about the chores and early rising) and fleshing out the two main women. Julie seeks to find what it is she has to offer this world while Susan comes face to face with her own personality and sees how destructive it can be.

All in all, a well-written novel focusing on slowing down and spending time with family. It's about imagining a simpler life without all the interruptions.

Worth reading!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars It really is ALMOST Amish!! July 18, 2012

By Karla Hanns

Format:Paperback

"Almost Amish"
By Kathryn Cushman

My very first impression of this book was, "Wow, this is different! Is it REALLY an Amish story?" Well, I was correct, it is very unusual , in that the main characters are NOT Amish. That immediately grabbed my interest, as this is not the norm for the Amish genre. But it is truly a book that involves the Amish and their lifestyle in a very imaginative way.

Kathryn Cushman has once again written a heartwarming story of plain living- with unique twists and turns, creating a life which is very inconvenient yet it is a simple lifestyle. She teaches us lessons in a most unusual way- challenging a normal Englisch family to take on the life of a typical Amish family in an Amish community. This family is forced to take a second look at life and the blessings that can be discovered in simple living. I was spellbound from beginning to end of this book , as I was never sure what would happen next. The characters are realistic, with everyday problems, as we have, but are forced in this situation to deal with them , as the Amish would, not as they would in their own English world. Kathryn's plot is so well developed that you feel with the family- their hurts, confusion, then acceptance and finally peace.

Synopsis: Julie Charlton is at the breaking point. She is a frustrated wife and mother. Although , she realizes that she should feel blessed, she does not! Just exhausted , feeling she can no longer cope with life. Then, an opportunity arrives that appears to be a miracle. Her sister-in-law, Susan, lands a chance to participate in a new reality TV show about trying to live like the Amish. HOWEVER, here is the important part!! She needs another family to join here. This is just that break that Julie believes will meet her current needs.
But this summer adventure is certainly NOT simple living. There are TV cameras filming, watching every move . Susan is a perfectionist and strives to have every move as it should be , in her city life, not as it actually is in Amish country. While she becomes more and more frustrated, Julie begins to find the peace she has desired for so long. She has to stand up Susan, as well as the filming crew and boss, explaining the need to slow down. Whether it is cleaning, cooking or dressing differently, each Amish challenge causes more complicated feelings and results.
This book is truly one which shows us how we need to learn about ourselves, our needs and our place with God. Who is going to do the planning? Humans or the Heavenly Father???
The children all go through different stages of rebellion, then acceptance. A true to life family experience that would be valuable to all of us. Julie's feeling of success instead of the former feeling of always failing is the result of following peaceful, faithful lifestyle of the Plain People.

Wow!! A great book that can teach all of us something, young and old alike!! I can hardly wait for another new book by Kathryn.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Bethany House and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available now from your favourite bookseller."