Customer Reviews

A Merry Heart

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

First of all, the book itself, as well as the amazon description, states that this is a re-issue. Therefore, it should not have been a surprise the "this is the same book" as the original. There are expanded scenes in this book, so it is not verbatim the same book. (I went back and checked the old copy my library has.) I have always been a fan of Beverly Lewis, and this book was my first time reading Wanda Brunstetter. I am very pleased with this book, the story line is good, the characters are well developed. I am currently reading another Brunstetter series, the Daughters of Lancaster County, and it is also going well. I am looking forward to the remainder of this series being "re-released."

Much of what is written in this book, and other books by Wanda Brunstetter just isn't realistic. The amish wouldn't just call a news reporter to hang out with, is one example. Beverly Lewis does a much better job of writing accurate examples of how the Amish live.

At one time Miriam Stolfus believed that her true love William Graber would come back for her when he left for Ohio. Instead he never returned to their Amish community, ending her dreams with a Dear Miriam letter in which he informed her he has fallen in love and will marry Lydia Stutzman. In spite of her mom constantly quoting Proverbs 17.22, Miriam has a troubled spirit and heavy heart that even her students notice. She is a twenty-six years old spinster who is often a cross teacher with a short fuse,

Widower Amos Hilty has loved Miriam since they were children, but she had eyes only for William. He married but his wife passed away. Amos raises their six years old daughter Mary Ellen mostly by himself though the community is there for him. Though her beloved momma insists Amos would make a good husband, Miriam believes he only wants her as a mother to Mary Ellen. He has competition with English reporter Nick, but Miriam's bitter heart refuses to let go of William's betrayal. However, she begins to reconsider her values when her niece Rebekiah is severely injured in an accident.

This is a somewhat expanded reprint of the first Lancaster Brides' tale though this reviewer does not know how much differs from the ten years old original. Miriam is the star as she stereotypes all men as betrayers in spite of the males in her extended family like papa proving otherwise. The interesting story line provides insight into the Amish community through the lead protagonist's perspectives and relationships. The support cast adds to the overall discerning glimpse at a "bah humbug" female who begins to understand God's messages of A MERRY HEART after precocious young niece became wheelchair bound.

Harriet Klausner

Miriam Stolfus believed that someday she would marry William Graber. Although he had moved away from their Amish community, she expected him to return for her. When he wrote to tell her he was planning to marry someone else, she was devastated. Even the children she teaches notice how impatient she has become. Miram feels all the light and joy has gone out of the world.
Amos Hilty has loved Miriam since they were children. He wants to court her but she will have nothing to do with him. Amos is a widower with a young daughter to raise, and Miriam believes he just wants a substitute mother for his child. Then tragedy striks Miriam's family and Amos wants to comfort her, but will she accept the love and support he offers?
Anger and bitterness left to grow unchecked, can destroy a life. God can help us grow past our troubles, but first we must want to change, a difficult lesson for Miriam to learn.
Wanda Brunstetter's A Merry Heart is from The Brides of Lancaster County series and she does a good job of capturing the Plain People. You sense her love and respect for them. I'm looking forward to more by this talented writer.

Per capita, it seems that the residents of Brunstetter's Lancaster County, PA have more tragedies than anywhere else in America, if not the world. Reading about one tragedy after the next, especially when it was so obvious that it was coming, got old quickly. And, from my EMT and nursing training, I consider some of the injuries sustained from these "accidents" to be very unlikely and rather far-fetched.

That said, the book was fairly well written and I did enjoy the story. It somewhat reminded me of Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew in that Miriam was so full of spitfire bitterness and became sweet in time.

Some of the things in the book surprised me. For instance, I was surprised that the families were so small. And, the notion of Miriam potentially moving somewhere by herself when her brother married was ridiculous. Maybe the Amish are liberated because that would never happen among the Mennonites and Hutterites that I know.

A Merry Heart
by Wanda E Brunstetter
Review by Karen Higson


A Merry Heart is book one in the Brides of Lancaster County Series, with four books in the series. I enjoyed reading this book as much as the first book I read of Wanda's. I followed Miriam Stoltzfus as she tried to deal with her broken heart and bitter spirit.... Miriam had thought she would marry her childhood sweetheart, even after he moved to another state, but gradually the letters slowed until the last one when he told her he was marrying someone else. For the past few years she has carried the pain and bitterness in her heart. The students she teaches in her one room school house even notice and remark that she is mean and coldhearted. Miriam is upset upon hearing these things from the children, but even as she searches her heart she doesn't know what to do about it.

Her parents have a plan to try to get Miram to let Amos Hilty court her; Amos is a widower with a small daughter who Miraim teaches. Miriam is certain he only wants her to marry him so she can cook and clean and be a mother to Mary Ellen.

Miriam seems to be more interested in the Englisher Nick McCormick, a reporter for the local newspaper. Nick always seems to be there when Miriam needs a friend to talk to, but where will the attraction they feel toward each other lead? Will she forsake her religion and her family or finally put her trust in God?

It is a heart searching journey for Miriam as she finds the true love she thought she never would and begins to accept the joy of the Lord in her heart and her life. Come along with her as she finds her way to true happiness and joy when she gives her bitterness to the Lord and it is replaced with a merry heart.

I enjoyed this book very much and I recommend it to those who enjoy stories about the Amish.

I'm not going to go into the plot because that has been done here. I just want to give my opinion. The cover intrigued me, so I picked it up and finished in a few hours. Not the 'great american novel' but it IS a good story and a quick read. Great for those pool sides when you can't give the book your total concentration. The characters are warm and fuzzy, and the story has just enough twists and unpredictability to be interesting! Some have compared this author to Barbara Lewis. Since I've only read one of each, I don't have much basis to compare, but I actually enjoyed this book more than Ms. Lewis's.

I personally enjoyed this book. Miriam has experienced a great deal of heartache due to many trying events over the past few years. As a result of her trials she becomes very bitter. This book chronicles her journey from bitterness and pain to joy and healing. I was very encouraged by this book and it ministered to me personally. Although the book is set in an Amish community the book is very relevant because we all suffer and struggle to make sense of life's hardships. I highly recommend this book and highly recommend this author to anyone that is interested in the Amish or someone that is discouraged and needs encouragement.

I was very happy with the shape the book was in and the time it was shipped in. I received it within days of ordering.