Customer Reviews

The Shakeress

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

 

 

I thought that this would be a great book when I picked it up. It started off and had me hooked in the first couple sentences, but the more I continued, the more disappointed I became. Yes, it has some Shaker influences in it and that's understandable and interesting, but then it all ends up Mormon which was not what I was expecting and is suspiciously left off the description on the cover. The book is a novel, so the history given may or may not be accurate, but I wasn't reading it for accuracy of history. I was reading it for pleasure. I didn't think highly of the Mormon persuasion given protrayed in the last half of the book. This book will be going in the garbage.

Mormon propaganda, that is. I read my children's books before they do and I'm thankful that I did in this case. While the book starts off innocent enough, toward the end of the book Mormon propaganda creeps into the story. This new religion sends out missionaries and they heal people in an amazing way. It's so amazing, that everyone converts except the main character's boy friend. If you're a Mormon, this will appeal to you. If you are a Christian, beware of the true intent of the author who is a LDS. It's not worth the read.

I had read and enjoyed this book previously but this time I read it shortly after visiting the last surviving Shaker community at Sabbath Day Lake, Maine. There, we were able to review Shaker culture in its own habitat. The Shaker details in the book were right in line with what we saw and heard there and we enjoyed the way the author brought the culture to life. Great job!

This was a fascinating look at the Shaker community and the early Mormon church, as well as the tribulations and hardships of life in the early 1820's. The plot moves very quickly. Naomi is not a particularly endearing character. It is difficult to become attached to a character who is not attached to anyone around her. Throughout the novel, Naomi leaves, leaves, and leaves again. This is not a particularly realistic portrayal of a single woman during the early 1800's. Still, this was a worthwhile read.

Not enough is said about her baptism as a LDS member. Oh well, i really wasnt expecting much here anyways.