October Song [Paperback]

Beverly Lewis (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2001

From newlyweds Katie and Dan living in the shadow of the shunning, to Rachel and Philip embracing parenthood even as
he acclimates to Amish life as an outsider... From the courtship of Lydia Cottrell and her betrothed, Levi King, to Sarah Cain, now a wife and mother struggling to bridge her own life with that of the People... October Song is overflowing with the simpler things of life that make a Lewis novel an unforgettable journey into the depths of the human heart.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

It's a family reunion of sorts in Lewis's newest offering, a story collection in three parts to update her devotees on the progress of the Amish and "fancy Englischer" characters in her previous novels, all held together by the common thread of their Pennsylvania Dutch country setting. "Hickory Hollow" describes Katie and Daniel's wedded bliss (The Heritage of Lancaster County series) and Katie's overtures toward her family and church friends, who have shunned her. We find the characters from The Postcard, Rachel and her husband, Philip (a former "fancy Englischer"), settled into family life in Bird-in-Hand. Philip struggles to gain acceptance from his Amish peers as he helps to fight a fire and tries his hand at a barn raising. In "Grasshopper," we are brought up to speed on Lydia's courtship by Levi (from The Redemption of Sarah Cain). Although the book is touted as "perfect for Lewis fans and new readers," it would be a tough introduction for someone unfamiliar with her work. The dialect "wonderful-gut," "redding," "perty" and "jah" can make the reading as slow as molasses for the uninitiated. One wonders why each of these vignettes wasn't a full-fledged sequel; it feels a bit like Lewis threw three unfinished novels into one book. But Lewis fans will be pleased to find the same consistent writing they've come to enjoy, and to catch glimpses of how their favorite characters are faring. (Oct.)Forecast: Although many critics find Lewis's Amish-themed novels as overly sweet as shoofly pie, her fans are loyal and legion. More than three million copies of her books are now in print. Her followers will enjoy this, jah.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Lewis returns to Lancaster County with a collection of short stories that revisit characters from The Shunning, The Postcard, and other titles in the "Lancaster County Books" series. As she catches readers up on the lives of Katie and Dan, Bishop John and Mary, Rachel and Philip, Sarah Cain, and many more, Lewis shows the diversity of Christian beliefs in this community and the effect that choosing to follow God has had on the families divided by different beliefs. These vignettes of the Amish and the English (as the Amish call the non-Amish) will find a welcome home in all collections with a strong Lewis readership.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Bethany House Publishers; Reprinted edition (October 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764223321
• ISBN-13: 978-0764223327
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #205,974 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I've had my nose in a book, for as long as I remember. When I was about 9 years old, I started writing my own stories. By sixth grade, I'd hand-written a 66-page semi-autobiographical book titled, "She Shall Have Music."

After I was married and our three children were in middle school, I began submitting articles and short fiction to various magazines.

My first book (Holly's First Love) was published in May 1993, the start of a 14-book series for pre-teen girls. Soon after, my first chapter book was published for 7-10-year-old readers ("Big Bad Beans") which later became part of my 24-book series, The Cul-de-Sac Kids. I wrote another long-running series for girls, titled "SummerHill Secrets," which was set very close to Neffsville, PA, where I grew up--near the heart of Amish country.

But it was the story of my grandmother Ada Buchwalter's shunning by her ultra-strict father and subsequently her old order Mennonite community that nudged me toward writing adult fiction. THE SHUNNING was published in 1997 by Bethany House Publishers, and along with its sequels, has touched a nerve in millions of readers intrigued by the Plain culture of Lancaster County, PA. The Hallmark Channel will air the movie, "Beverly Lewis's The Shunning" on April 16, 2011 at 9 EDT/8 Central.

My passion for Amish-related stories continues to keep me up at night, and I'm presently writing the third book in my new series: The Rose Trilogy, due out September '11.

When I'm between writing deadlines, I enjoy hiking in the Rocky Mountains with my husband. Cooking from scratch, playing Mozart at the piano, and making family memory albums, as well as traveling to meet my devoted readers during book tours, are some of my very favorite things. I also adore reading biographies and memoirs, as well as classic literature.

Book Two of my present series: THE JUDGMENT, will be released on April 5, 2011.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Delightful Read!, January 23, 2002

By 

Christian Bookshelf "Christian Bookworm Reviews" (usa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: October Song (Paperback)

The book seems to tie loose ends as well as continue the stories begun in the books The Shunning, The Postcard, and The Redeption of Sarah Cain. In Hickory Hollow, the first of these warmhearted tales, Katie Lapp is ready to celebrate her first wedding anniversary with her husband Dan. In the midst of this happiness though, lingers the sorrow and shame of her shunning from the Old Order Amish of Hickory Hollow where she and Dan grew up. They have found salvation in Jesus Christ and are active and content in their new Mennonite church. However, the couple is forbidden to visit with family and friends due to the "Bann"- excommunication-imposed on them for going "fancy". Katie's biggest regret is the loss of her relationship with her "Dat"-her father. Can she ever repair the damage done to her family?

In part two entitled Bird-In-Hand, ex-journalist, Philip Bradley, must learn the ways of his new faith, with the help of his wife Rachel and the community. Being originally from New York, this is no easy task. He finds that simply dressing the part and believing in the Church is not enough. He must obey the unwritten code of conduct-the "Ordnung", to prove himself truly one of "the People". After a thoughtless blunder he is determined to prove to the skeptical Moses Raber that he is not just another soul-searching "Englischer"-outsider-but has truly accepted "Plain" living.

Grasshopper Level is the last story in this collection. Sarah Cain must, with the help of her newfound faith, learn to cope with her career and the care of her late sister's five children. Raising the children Amish in an English household has not been easy. The oldest, Lyddie, is preparing for her wedding to Levi King but her fears about the welfare of her younger siblings after her marriage and the shadow of her mother's death loom over the happy couple.

The book is a delight. Each story holds you to the end and all end happily yet realistically. They give the reader an insight into a fascinating and often misunderstood way of life, It is fast paced and filled with optimism and good Christian wisdom. The characters are well developed and there is a sense of being right there with them in peaceful Lancaster County, riding horse and buggy amidst the changing autumn colors. Although you can read these stories without having read the others in the series (I did), if you plan to read the other novels, save this book for last so as not to spoil the story.

--- reviewed by Rachel for Christian Bookshelf

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Book, May 15, 2003

By 

Michelle Kittrell (Clemson, SC USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: October Song (Paperback)

This book was great but you need to read her other adult fiction books first. If you read this book first you ruin the plots to the others. I love her style and I now love the Amish. I actually went to Lancaster last summer after reading her books. It was great. I hope she continues writing. I own almost all her books.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars I could'nt put it down!!!, October 18, 2001

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: October Song (Paperback)

I read the book in 1 night! It was nice revisiting with Katie, Sara and Lydia. I just wished there was more to Katie's story: like what happened to Benjamin and did Katie's parents welcome her back. There HAS to be a sequel to this. I hope Beverly Lewis is already working on one!!!