A fresh view into a life that is anything but simple.
What does the life of an Amish woman really look like? Over the course of a decade, author Judy Stavisky, a curious outsider, spent hundreds of hours getting to know the women of Pennsylvania’s Lancaster County Amish community to find out the answer to this question. She joined mothers and grandmothers, unmarried women and teens, on their shopping excursions for household items, fabric, and groceries. They drove miles between undulating fields and shared hundreds of hours of conversation on everyday topics—laughing together about sneaking healthier entrees into their family’s evening meals, sharing concerns about their children, and trading family remedies for persistent coughs. As relationships evolved into enduring friendships, she grew to understand firsthand how Amish women bind their families and communities together.
In Plain View draws the reader inside a community governed by faith and separated by time, taking a closer look at the roles Amish women assume within their families and community, their fierce work ethic, and their camaraderie. Hundreds of years of shared traditions come to life through a personal connection with Amish women, their own soft voices gently opening their world to an outsider.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
What does the life of an Amish woman really look like? Over the course of a decade, author Judy Stavisky, a curious outsider, spent hundreds of hours getting to know the women of Pennsylvania’s Lancaster County Amish community to find out the answer to this question. She joined mothers and grandmothers, unmarried women and teens, on their shopping excursions for household items, fabric, and groceries. They drove miles between undulating fields and shared hundreds of hours of conversation on everyday topics—laughing together about sneaking healthier entrees into their family’s evening meals, sharing concerns about their children, and trading family remedies for persistent coughs. As relationships evolved into enduring friendships, she grew to understand firsthand how Amish women bind their families and communities together.
In Plain View draws the reader inside a community governed by faith and separated by time, taking a closer look at the roles Amish women assume within their families and community, their fierce work ethic, and their camaraderie. Hundreds of years of shared traditions come to life through a personal connection with Amish women, their own soft voices gently opening their world to an outsider.
MY THOUGHTS.....
This book is almost an encyclopedia of Amish life! Author Judy Stavisky shares the wealth of knowledge that she gained during the time she spent with a group of Amish women in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. She provided them with transportation, they offered her an in-depth view of their lives, and the result of this old-fashioned bartering experiment is a fascinating resource that's full of intriguing information and beautiful photographs! It's filled with facts about the Amish: their faith, work ethic, and education. I enjoyed reading about Amish schools and Amish weddings, and I was fascinated by the shopping strategies of these women, but the chapter on feeding an Amish family was mind-boggling! I've often heard that Amish life is simple but Stavisky completely shatters this myth. The daily lives of Amish women are anything but simple! Their days are long and hard but they value the path that they've chosen.
"In Plain View: The Daily Lives of Amish Women" is a must-read book for anyone who's ever had questions about the Amish way of life! I've read many Amish fiction books in the past few years and I'm also acquainted with several Amish families in my rural community, but this book gave me a fresh insight into the Amish lifestyle.
I received this book in a prize drawing. There was no obligation for a review and I am voluntarily sharing my thoughts.
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
"In Plain View: The Daily Lives of Amish Women" is a must-read book for anyone who's ever had questions about the Amish way of life! I've read many Amish fiction books in the past few years and I'm also acquainted with several Amish families in my rural community, but this book gave me a fresh insight into the Amish lifestyle.
I received this book in a prize drawing. There was no obligation for a review and I am voluntarily sharing my thoughts.
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Judy Stavisky, MPH, M. Ed., has spent considerable time over the past decade attending Amish schools, sharing meals with Amish families, and joining events hosted in the Amish community. Judy has a lengthy career in philanthropy and helping non-profit organizations become more successful. She is a co-author of Do It Better! How the Kids of St. Francis de Sales Exceeded Everyone’s Expectations chronicling the journeys of Philadelphia’s student refugees. Recently Judy has been supporting Philadelphia’s refugee resettlement efforts, connecting food insecure Philadelphians with meals, and is an adjunct faculty member at Drexel University.
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