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283rd out of 383 books
—
130 voters
Anathema
by
Colleen Coble (Goodreads Author)
When Hannah refuses to forgive a terrible sin she becomes "anathema"--shunned. But the real question is, can she forgive herself?
Visitors come to Parke County, Indiana to enjoy the lush farms, to buy the Amish quilts, and to experience the peaceful ways of the Amish families who live there. But when a double murder rocks this quiet community, the Amish residents resolve to...more
Visitors come to Parke County, Indiana to enjoy the lush farms, to buy the Amish quilts, and to experience the peaceful ways of the Amish families who live there. But when a double murder rocks this quiet community, the Amish residents resolve to...more
Hardcover, 327 pages
Published
May 1st 2008
by Thomas Nelson Publishers
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The twists and turns in ANATHEMA by Colleen Coble will keep you guessing in this suspense novel set in the quaint lifestyle of the Amish.
Hannah Schwartz has been raised in the Amish community of Parke County, Indiana. And though she knows the ways of the Amish, she has done the unpardonable– fallen in love with an Englisch. While on a rendezvous with Reece, her parents are murdered in their home. Devastated and confused, Hannah leaves her childhood behind in Parke County and runs away with Reece...more
Hannah Schwartz has been raised in the Amish community of Parke County, Indiana. And though she knows the ways of the Amish, she has done the unpardonable– fallen in love with an Englisch. While on a rendezvous with Reece, her parents are murdered in their home. Devastated and confused, Hannah leaves her childhood behind in Parke County and runs away with Reece...more
Really enjoyed this book. What happens when you do not forgive..... Story takes place in Indiana. Story of a younf Amish girl that is secretly dating an Englisher. She returns home one night to find both of her parents have been murdered. Grief stricken, Hannah refuses to forgive and this sets off a series of choices for her. Years later she returns to her home and community to find peace. This was a very unusual Amish fiction. The story was weaved masterfully and I couldn't put it down. Highly...more
This is definitely not your typical Amish Story. I didn't think I would make it though the first chapter. The decisions that Hannah Schwartz had made when she was younger, made things turn from bad to worse for her. Hannah soon discovers that it's better to look before you leap into a big decision like marriage. Things are definitely not what they seemed to be at first.
She is thrown into a world so unlike her own, it's disturbing at best. She thought she knew what she was doing. She had entered...more
She is thrown into a world so unlike her own, it's disturbing at best. She thought she knew what she was doing. She had entered...more
Ohh this is a great book. Hannah has alot to struggle with the loss of her parents, then abuse, and feelings of doubt and anger as well as bitterness. When she leaves her abusive husband after 5yrs and an event that almost destroyed her, she makes herself a life. Then after 5yrs of wondering when her husband would find her, she receives a letter one that makes her wonder if her daughter died, as her husband said. She returns to the Amish community she left, only be shunned, and to find another m...more
Sep 22, 2010
Reedross
added it
I don't normally read this genre (more a murder mystery type story) but because of the Amish back drop, I purchased it at a Christian book store. I've read other reviews that stated that this story was predictable, but I didn't think so at all. In fact, for at least the first half of the book, I was totally surprised by the turn of events. I loved the 'Amishness' of the story and the story line certainly made it difficult to put down. I'd recommend this one!
For me, besides being Amish fiction, the best part about this book is the history behind the so-called "peace" sign. I already knew that it was an anti-Christian symbol, but this book really brings it to light. Colleen Coble did an excellent job researching this seldom known fact. As Christians, we should be diligent to look into issues when we hear something that goes against what we've always thought to be true.
This is a very good book, one that you will not want to put down.Sometimes we have to go back to a place in our lives to get free from the hold that life has had on us, to get free. In this book Hannah had to deal with the shunning from her family and the murder of her parents and deal with making some bad mistakes, but she sees love also even amongst those who stick to their Amish beliefs.
Really like it so for. I tried another book of hers and did not. But so far so good with this one. Daughter read it and thought I would like it.
It was very good. I have read a few Amish Christian fiction that were pretty good and a few i did not like and usually stay away from Amish book, but this was exceptionally better than most. Maybe because it included a great mystery within the romantic part. Recommend greatly.
It was very good. I have read a few Amish Christian fiction that were pretty good and a few i did not like and usually stay away from Amish book, but this was exceptionally better than most. Maybe because it included a great mystery within the romantic part. Recommend greatly.
My mother in law loaned me this book, and it took me awhile to pick it up, but it was great when I finally read it. I must say it kept me guessing until the very end. I was however, a little upset over the slow pace of it all. I felt that there were some parts that could have been left out. It does, however, have a wonderful message of God's forgiveness and plan for our lives.
I liked this book on several levels. First it takes place in Indiana not far from where I grew up, so her description of the area took me back home. I also liked learning about the Amish culture, it has some aspects that we could all use in our life, like forgiveness and simple life styles. On a literary level, at first I thought that the pacing of the storyline was off, but the more I got into the story I understood why she was writing it that way. Good Read!
Anathema has more plot twists than a bag of pretzels. Having lived in the area of Parke County, Indiana, I recognized a lot of the landmarks in the book. But the real interest was in the struggles regarding life choices, fleeing horrific circumstance, and feeling abandoned by the very ones who are supposed to love you the most. Loved the book!
First book I read by this author. Saw her in the Christian bookstore mailer I get. I write down titles that sound good and then head to the library. The book started out good and capturing my attention, but then really bogged down in the middle - too much detail and not enough story line movement.
I really enjoyed this book, even though the first few chapters about made me toss it aside. The writing seemed very choppy and without flow in those chapters, but then the author seemed to get into a good groove and I couldn't put the book down!
I rarely think a book is 5-star amazing, but Anathema has it all. It was written so well. At page 63 I stopped to breathe.... there'd already been more quality story telling at that point than most books in their entirety. Sort of exhausting! Very suspenseful, great lead characters with backbones and strong moral values, and just the right touch of romance. There's also a beautiful message about forgiveness that intensifies at the very end... Wow is all I can say. Nicely done, Colleen Coble.
If you are expecting the typical Amish story when you open Anathema, you will be very surprised. Although this story involves the Amish and their way of life, it is almost in the background of a more prominent theme of mystery, suspense, and intrigue. The storyline is very interesting, and, for the most part, well written. The issues of domestic abuse, revenge, and forgiveness are dealt with very well. I did feel like the action was very uneven; sometimes it felt like nothing happened for quite...more
Another author I can easily be addicted too...great book, I loved her insight on the Amish, and I love how it took place in Indiana and mentioned places I knew about! Great mystery read, hard to put down.
I enjoyed this book, although I found it a bit disturbing. Even though I know that domestic violence is all too common in our society, it still upsets me to read about cruel, violent men like Reece.
It was a great book -- I couldn't figure out who "did it" until I read it in the end. Lots of facts about the Amish and their beliefs...plus a romance and mystery. Who could want more?
Very good. Very very good. I always like Colleen Coble's books, however I have found them somewhat predictable in the past. This one kept me guessing throughout. Loved it!
some of the writing was disjointed, but in the end it was a very good mystery -kept me guessing!- and a very good romance.
I LOVED IT! I was given this book by a friend and i never thought i would like this type of book.....so good!
Wow, this is a very captivating book. Through all of the book's twists and turns it hold one theme--forgiveness. The main characters are full with different sides and internal conflict. It is amazing how the author works out the end of the book.
I really enjoyed this book. Love reading about the Amish! Enjoyed the incorporation of quilts in the story!!
Having grown up in Wabash, it's a unique reading experience to be able to picture the exact imagery the author describes in the early setting. This is my favorite Colleen Coble book to date.
Wonderful story! My first book with Coble and I know that I will be reading more of her novels!
I really enjoyed this. I could learn a thing or to about who the Amish people live their lives.
Very good story line, a useful book for women who have survived Domestic Violence.
Not my type of book. Finished it because... I did want to see how it turned out, but then I was disappointed with that too.
loved it.....lots of suspense and an honest glimpse into the world of the Amish
Not as well written as I would have liked, but a good story.
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Carol Award winner Colleen Coble lives with her husband, Dave, in Indiana. She is the author of dozens of novels including the Rock Harbor Series, the Aloha Reef Series, the Mercy Falls Series, the Hope Beach Series, the Lonestar Series and two Women of Faith fiction selections, Alaska Twilight and Midnight Sea. She has more than 2 million books in print.
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