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376 ratings, 3.80 average rating, 95 reviews
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published
October 25th 1991
by HarperSanFrancisco
binding
Paperback, 176 pages
isbn
0062501860
(isbn13: 9780062501868)
description
"I had an obsession with the Amish. Plain and simple. Objectively it made no sense. I, who worked hard at being special, fell in love with a peop...more
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 497)
Read in June, 2007
recommends it for:
not really
A had problems deciding what rating to give this book. I hovered between a two star and a three star and finally decided to be generous and give it a three. It's a very fast read and while it was nicely written I felt like this was one of those "all about me" books instead of giving the reader any real insight into the alleged purpose of the book - to better understand the Amish and their culture. Either way, this book wasn't exactly what I was looking for, but it is still a nice, quie...more
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Read in March, 2008
This book is about a lady who seeks something, though she isn't sure what, among the amish. I found it intersting to learn a little about the amish people, though not a great deal. Her search away from the hustle and bustle of her everyday life lead to no definite questions and answers, but mostly to contemplate when unsure...what matters most, and then to simply. The biggest thing I took from this book was learning to find joy in every little task day to day, no matter what the task. It is find...more
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1 comment
Has a copy to sell/swap
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Read in June, 2008
Like the author, I have always had a fascination with the Amish. I find their culture interesting. The author actually lived with two different Amish families. She wanted to learn their ways and why they are the way they are. She thought that she could improve her art by studying their simple life style.
While her experiences were interesting, I thought she still didn't get it in the end. The lessons she learned she couldn't seem to apply directly to her life. I felt the real lesso...more
While her experiences were interesting, I thought she still didn't get it in the end. The lessons she learned she couldn't seem to apply directly to her life. I felt the real lesso...more
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Read in January, 2008
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.
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recommended to Kirsten by:
Mom (who got it from Debbie!)
I greatly admired the experience of the author and the Amish community with whom she lived for a year and realized that I need to simplify more and appreciate the things that are plain more than the things that are fancy (hey, there's a children's lit book connection here to Just Plain Fancy by Patricia Polacco - another book I love!).
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2 comments
Books like this weird me out.
(Okay, this is more of a general rant than one directed specifically at this book.)
For one thing, I always find I relate better to the Amish than the misguided yuppies who descend upon them. That doesn't really make sense considering I'd describe myself as a pretty typical office-job, awful-commute, doesn't-grow-anything-but-spider-plants, suburbanite. I still find myself thinking, "Well, that's what you get for being a social-climbing, materialistic, ...more
(Okay, this is more of a general rant than one directed specifically at this book.)
For one thing, I always find I relate better to the Amish than the misguided yuppies who descend upon them. That doesn't really make sense considering I'd describe myself as a pretty typical office-job, awful-commute, doesn't-grow-anything-but-spider-plants, suburbanite. I still find myself thinking, "Well, that's what you get for being a social-climbing, materialistic, ...more
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One of the things I liked least about this book was that despite her apparent fascination about the Amish, I felt like Bender's tone was always a bit superior. She claimed to feel drawn to the simplicity and purpose of the Amish way of life, yet there always seemed to be a sense of, "Only the truly unenlightened would choose such a life." Perhaps since I come from a strong faith community myself I felt myself getting almost defensive about her seemingly voyeuristic stay with the Amish....more
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Read in June, 2008
A woman living a harried life finds a store front display including Amish quilts and sets off on a quest. She spends several weeks living among the Amish on two different occasions, and hence learns to simplify and really look at what is important in life. It was predictable of course, but not bad. I requested this book for my mom from paperbackswap.com, and when it came I started perusing it, and finished it rather quickly. I appreciate her struggle to find a sense of balance and peace--i'm...more
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On reflection, this book is better than I originally thought. I usually get very bored or very irritated with personal journeys that focus on some group or other that one perceives as living simpler, more authentic or just more satisfying lives. I do understand the dissatisfaction with the modern rat race which seems to demand a lot of effort while giving damned little satisfaction in return. And I very much understand the problem of trying to use material things to satisfy spiritual/emotiona...more
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This book was written in 1989, but I'm sure that not all that much has changed in Amish communities since then. The author is a woman in her 50's, searching for real meaning in her very "successful" life. She is intrigued by Amish quilts she sees being used as store decoration; her growing fascination with Amish culture leads her to arrange to spend time living with two Amish families. Her story is a lesson in how important it is to honor the "routine" of life in order to g...more
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Read in July, 2008
recommended to Annette by:
Audrie
This is a great little read... plain and simple, just as it says... The author becomes 'obsessed' ( her term not mine) over the simple beauty of Amish quilts. As a ceramic artist herself, she loves the simple use of color and design.
Years later she looks for meaning in her own life by living with an Amish family for a few weeks, making Amish friends and returning to their awy of life when possible.
She has (possibly most understanding ) husband and children and over time spends many w...more
Years later she looks for meaning in her own life by living with an Amish family for a few weeks, making Amish friends and returning to their awy of life when possible.
She has (possibly most understanding ) husband and children and over time spends many w...more
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Read in May, 2008
As an artist Bender's struggle to create something unique and different from everyone else was contrasted with the utilitarian beauty of Amish quilts. She felt compelled to learn more about these people who produced simple items she regarded as great art. She went so far as to do the unheard by finding two different Amish families willing to permit her to live with them. She explores cultural values about art, gender roles, and living with quality as she learns from each families and she exa...more
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Read in November, 2008
It was okay--the author was kind of annoying, but the stuff about the Amish was really interesting. I didn't completely finish it, but don't really feel the need to. There are so many other books that are waiting for me that I don't really want to take the time...
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Read in March, 2008
I totally blew through this book... I got caught up in the author's everyday observations of the Amish as well as the sharp contrast between their lives and her own. Interesting was the difference between the two Amish families that the author stays with.
The book doesn't delve much into Amish history, but it does convey how they find contentment in everyday things - from chores to maintaining friendships that extend beyond conventional definitions. Simple lessons explained in bite-sized mo...more
The book doesn't delve much into Amish history, but it does convey how they find contentment in everyday things - from chores to maintaining friendships that extend beyond conventional definitions. Simple lessons explained in bite-sized mo...more
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This is a short, refreshing read, but one that always makes me want to clean my house and be more organized. It's about a woman who is a self-proclaimed liberal-minded art professor (I think?) at Berkeley who explained away her chaotic, messy life as part of her artsy self. She became enamored with the face-less dolls and simple nine-patched quilts of the Amish, and be a rare chance was allowed to come live the the Amish on two different occasions. For me, the best nugget that she learned from t...more
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One of my favorite books, but then again, I suppose I idealize the Amish a bit in my own head. I first listened to this book in the car on a solitary road trip at a particularly turbulent time in my young adult life, and I felt that it brought me enlightenment. I read this book at least once a year, and it always seems to bring me to a place of inner calm and grounding. I feel a connection with the book and the simple living roots of my own upbringing in the Church of the Brethren. A must-re...more
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recommended to Czarina by:
My father in law who was Mennonite
I love, love, love this book. I have read it several times and each time I fall in love with it all over again. A woman discovers that she is obsessed with the Amish culture's ability to be simple and modest and yet show inviduality and zest for life. She is so obsessed with this idea that she finaggles her way into the home of two Amish families and lives with them for an extended period of time. In the process of doing this, she discovers what brings her her own peace and happiness. The b...more
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Read in August, 2008
recommends it for:
Shannon, Cindy, anyone interested in the Amish
There were parts of this book that made me really think. I hope I can remember some of the thoughts the author shared ...
Regarding Choice
"... there is a big difference between having many choices and making a choice. Making a choice -- declaring what is essential -- creates a framework for a life that eliminates many choices but gives meaning to the things that remain. Satisfaction comes from giving up wishing I was somewhere else or doing something else."
"... I am le...more
Regarding Choice
"... there is a big difference between having many choices and making a choice. Making a choice -- declaring what is essential -- creates a framework for a life that eliminates many choices but gives meaning to the things that remain. Satisfaction comes from giving up wishing I was somewhere else or doing something else."
"... I am le...more
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Read in May, 2008
I have always been curious about the Amish way of life and the role of the women. This is a very interesting book that relates an "outsider’s" perspective as she lives inside the Amish community as a guest. The quilting analogy of a nine-patch pattern is effective in summing up nine values the author learns from the Amish. The biggest detraction to this book is the author's own self absorbed introspection. I was less interested in the author’s life and inward struggles. It is ...more
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Read in January, 2002
I read this book several years ago, and stumbled upon it again recently. I remember being drawn to the honest, mater-of-factness of the Amish lifestyle. And doesn't it seem even more pertinent today as we begin to look more seriously at environmental issues (that never really went away), and at the rampant consumerism that is causing our environmental woes? What would it be like to change our way of living? Our way of thinking? This is a thoughtful and honest book. It's worth a read.
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