Although Beverly Lewis writes about a religion and people far removed from Mormonism, LDS readers will still be touched by her stories about faith in God. Her Christian message, not too much different than the Gospel's own, shines through every piece of fiction she writes. Thankfully, Lewis can not only preach a rousing sermon, but she can also tell a decent story, which makes her books delightful to read. Sweet and squeaky-clean, her novels are perfect for LDS bookshelves.
Most of Lewis's books take place in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, where several Amish communities are located. Her stories revolve around the "Plain" folk and the customs of their religion and culture. Although she describes religious meetings, work frolics, courting practices and many other details of Amish life, Lewis's main focus is the people. Her fictitious characters struggle with problems everyone faces--identity crises, family quarrels, doubting one's faith, rebelliousness, etc. As in life, the problems are not always solved, but the characters usually come away with a better sense of who they are and how they fit into God's plan. The theme in Lewis's fiction is always the same: Have faith and God will pull you through. Minor themes include the importance of family and community, the need to build one's own testimony, and the need for individuality even among the most conservative of groups.
If you are interested in reading Lewis, a good place to start is with her trilogy, The Heritage of Lancaster County. The books tell the story of Katie Lapp, a young Amish girl who has never quite fit into her strict, religious community. Katie finds herself constantly battling urges to sing and dance, practices most unfitting to a girl who has been raised Plain. Only days before her wedding, Katie finds a satin baby gown hidden away in a trunk. The beautiful dress unlocks secrets from the past, secrets which have the power to free Katie from the confines of her community. In order to taste that freedom, however, Katie will have to relinquish all ties to her beloved family and the close-knit Amish village she calls home. The series follows the headstrong Katie as she makes difficult choices, which lead her deeper and deeper into her own mysterious past. Each book--The Shunning, The Confession, and The Reckoning--is skillfully written to bring Katie Lapp to life. Readers cannot help but be drawn in by Lewis's charming description of Amish traditions, and the inspiring story of one girl who couldn't wait to break free.
