Imperfections

by Lynda Durrant

Rosemary Elizabeth likes Pleasant Hill. Unlike her former home, the Kentucky Shaker community is serene and full of beautiful things. The food is plentiful and delicious, and she dresses in spotless white garments. Above all, she and her younger siblings are safe there---from their drunken, often violent, father, and from the war between the Union and the Confederacy, which is said to be drawing closer every day. Perfection is the goal at Pleasant Hill, and Rosemary Elizabeth vows to be perfect so she'll be allowed to stay. As time passes, however, she finds herself more and more at odds with the Shaker path, the rules that are supposed to govern everything she says and does and even what she dreams. If she eliminates all the imperfections the Shakers find in her, will anything remain? Carefully researched, Imperfections takes the reader inside a Shaker community in the 1860s and tells the story of a spirited young woman determined to be herself.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Young Adult, Religion, Historical

172 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

For more information, please see http://www.answers.com/topic/lynda-du...

Reviews

[Meagan Houle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I knew almost nothing about the United Society of Believers in Christ's Second Appearing (colloquially known as Shakers) before reading this. I had a vague impression of sweet, simple hymns, absolute celibacy, and lots of white clothing. The author's thorough research sparked my interest in learning more about Shaker communities and the woman who started it all: the mysterious Mother Ann Lee. The glimpse "Imperfections" gave me into Shaker beliefs and customs was fascinating, but my appetite for more has certainly been intensified.
The novel itself might have read like a Wikipedia article if it hadn't been for our engaging protagonist, Rosemary Elizabeth, who is rechristened almost immediately as "Sister Bess." While she values the safety of her family and makes an earnest effort to eliminate her myriad imperfections, she can't seem to fit in with the others at Pleasant Hill. They admire her broom-making and literacy skills, and never treat her unkindly, but she is destined to remain a "winter Shaker"--someone whom the community is happy to support but who can never hope to live up to the image of perfection exemplified by Mother Ann Lee. Gradually, Rosemary Elizabeth's spirit reawakens, along with a budding sense of romance, making it clear she was never meant to linger long in Pleasant Hill. She retains her deep respect for their ways and their hard work, but there can be no doubt she must forge her own way from now on. The ending doesn't tell us where she plans to go when she leaves Pleasant Hill, but the ambiguity satisfied me more than a concrete path forward ever could.

[Liz Banks]

This is an interesting read, not because of the writing skills of the author, but because of the setting. It is set during the Civil War in a Quaker Community in Kentucky. Three children a taken to the community and left there by their parents. the narrator is the girls who will never feel comfortable there. She watches her brother who loves it all. The baby knows nothing else. The day to day routine is interesting and the hospitality they show to soldiers on both sides is both lovely and troubling. If you are interested in Shaker communities, give this a try. I think you'll like it.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to admit it - it was the cover that originally pulled me into this book. ANd after reading the jacket blurb and learning that this was a story set in a Shaker community, I was intrigued enough to take it home for the weekend. Needless to say, I was not disappointed (I started the book Saturday night and finished it Sunday).

Set in the Kentucky in 1862, the Lipkings (Rosemary, her brother Issac, their sister Anne and their ma) have fled from an alcoholic, abusive father in the middle of the night to Pleasant Hill - a Shaker community known to give refuge to those in need.

While life seems strict at Pleasant Hill, Rosemary is so grateful for the clean rooms, clean clothes and wonderful food that she decides she will do whatever is needed to fit into this Shaker community. Rosemary puts up with her name being changed; doesn't seem to mind, that men and women must be kept separate at all times, never speaking to each other; puts up with the seemingly, never-ending prayer sessions; even learns to live without her favorite pastime - reading. But when Rosemary starts to suspect that she and her siblings have been abandoned by their mother, life becomes more than she can bear. And trying to obtain the Shaker's ideal of perfection, of heaven on earth, may be more than Rosemary is capable of. But is she willing to leave behind security as well as Issac and Anne?

[Shannon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 6-10-During the Civil War, Rosemary Elizabeth Lipking, 15, moves to the Shaker community located in Pleasant Hill, KY, with her mother, brother, and sister because of an abusive father. The Shakers welcome her with open arms, and at first she feels safe from her Pa and the war. Before long, though, she realizes that her mother has abandoned them. She is separated from her siblings and is now called Sister Bess. Women have to adhere to a specific regimen, which includes wearing spotless white garments, not mixing foods together, sleeping with arms crossed like an angel, attending several worships a day, and not talking to the opposite sex. Rosemary vows to be perfect so she will be allowed to stay, but no matter how hard she tries, she finds herself breaking the rules. When she realizes that not everything is as perfect as it appears, she is determined to find her own path and maybe even leave once the war is over. Durrant has created a strong, determined, and likable character to tell of the hardships of Shaker life. Unfortunately, the book ends abruptly, and readers are left wondering what happens to Rosemary. Still, the story is interesting, and the theme of finding oneself will resonate with many teens.-Shannon Seglin, Patrick Henry Library, Vienna, VA

[Abby Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

To escape their drunken, abusive father Rosemary Elizabeth travels with her mother and younger siblings to the Shaker village of Pleasant Hill. While the Civil War rages on, Pleasant Hill is an oasis of peace. Rosemary knows that she and her family will be safe there. But when ma leaves the children in the care of the Shakers without so much as a goodbye, Rosemary is crushed. The Shakers give her a new name (Sister Bess) and try to teach her the Shaker way, but Rosemary can't seem to get it right. She's constantly making mistakes (the Shakers call them "imperfections"). Will Rosemary be able to adopt Shaker beliefs? She must try, for she has nowhere else to go...

This book gives a detailed look at the Shaker life in 1860s Kentucky. Kentucky was a state trapped in the middle of the war - a Union state that still had slaves - and Rosemary is also trapped in the middle. Some parts of the plot didn't really click with me, but this was worth the read for the gorgeous descriptions of Shaker buildings, craft, and food. An author's note with sources is included (yay!).

[Lisa Carroll · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a historical fiction that was intended for an older child, but I have to admit that I loved this book as well. The cover of the book was bright and appealing and when I read the jacket and discovered that it was about the Shaker community circa the Civil War, I was very intrigued. The main character, Rosemary Elizabeth, aka Sister Bess was abandoned to this Shaker community along with her brother and baby sister. Her father was abusive and an alcoholic and it seems as though her mother left and returned to her father. It is very interesting to learn about the Shaker Community and all of the rules that go along with residing there. It seems like such a beautiful place, but so utterly controlling. I think children will be fascintated not only by the characters in the book but also about the Shaker Community. This would be a good book for students to read because it discusses not only a different culture, but the issues of the Civil War play a major role in this book. I would highly recommend this book to older chidren and adults alike.

[Christina Getrost · Rating 2 out of 5]

Set in 1862, in Pleasant Hill Kentucky, a Shaker community. 14 year old Rosemary and her younger brother have been left here by their mother, when she fled from their abusive father. Rosemary has to learn the Shaker ways, which include a strict separation of the genders--so she hardly even gets to talk to her brother--and try to fit in while she waits for her mother to come back for her. I learned a ton of interesting things about the Shaker religion and way of life, and there's a little in the book about Morgan's Raiders too. But I'm not sure that this book would appeal to teens or kids much unless they are big history buffs. It's pretty slow paced, other than a couple of semi-exciting scenes, and there's a lot about the religious duties of the Shakers. It certainly illustrates a completely different way of life than today's teens are used to.

[Becky Barrier Nelson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting historical fiction taking place during The Civil War at the height of the Shaker movement. Set in Shakertown, KY, this novel was particularly intriguing to me as I have visited and stayed in Shakertown many times. Now having a feel of what life was like actually living there, I will look at it with new eyes. Rosemary Elizabeth (Sister Bess) was a very believeable character. Though having to follow the rigid Shaker way of life...Heaven on Earth...she never acclimated herself to the community. The reader is left with the feeling that she will, upon adulthood, leave the Community, taking her brother and sister with her if they will go. This novel allows the reader to view both the positive and negative aspects of such a religious sect.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting look at the Shaker way of life. Rosemary Elizabeth likes the Shaker community at Pleasant Hill when she first gets there. Unlike home, things are organized, clean, and quiet. Her Pa isn't coming home drunk, but her Ma left her, her younger brother Isaac, and baby Anne with the Shakers, then went back to Pa. She is called Sister Bess, and while she is grateful for the protection of the Shakers, she doesn't want her brother to forget they are a family. She struggles to live the perfect life the Shakers seek on earth, but she thinks they throw out the good with the bad. She seeks her own path as the Civil War rages around Pleasant Hill, Kentucky.

[Mom (Tash) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Girls, now and then I like to read a book from the the Young Adult or Junior section. I liked the cover on this one so I picked it up, read the jacket, and decided to try it out. It was great! during the Civil War a mother takes her three children to a Shaker community for safety. Learning about the Shakers (a religion) and their way of life was facinating. It's only 170 1/2 pages and one of those stories that is kind of refreshing. I learned that Lynda Durrant has written several other historical novels about the lives of young women, many based on true stories. I will probably try another one of her books some time.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

One thing I've always wondered about the Shakers is where they got their recruits. Turns out, according to this book that people who were unable to take care of their children could drop them off at a Shaker village and either come back for them later or not. This is what happens to rosemary elizabeth and her younger brother and sister during the civil war. Rosemary elizabeth had a great voice, struggling to keep her family together even as they became indoctrinated into the Shaker way. Good story, good characters.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a delightful teen book about a young girl during the Civil War in Kentucky left at a Shaker community by her mother along with her brother and sister. They were left there for safety from not only the war but an alcoholic father who abusive.

Interesting story of a young girl learning to sort our and make decisions for her life in the midst of a community that valued PERFECTION above all else.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rosemary Elizabeth, her younger brother and her baby sister are brought to a Shaker Community called Heaven on Earth when her mother takes them away from an abusive father. No matter how hard she tries though she can never measure up to the expected level of perfection. It does tell a good bit aobut the Shaker community, but I enjoyed Janet Hickman's Susannah much better for a well developed novel of the Shakers.

[Jane G Meyer · Rating 2 out of 5]

So... I picked this book up because of the cover. And I did enjoy learning more about the Shakers, and their quirky world, but when I closed this book and thought about what I'd gained by reading it, I couldn't come up with much. Some historical knowledge, yes, but was I inspired? Did the characters help bring me to a place where I wanted to reflect on something in my own life, or act on something to make this world a better place? Hmmm.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such an intriguing read! The characters are engaging (mostly in a bizarre, OCD way) but the heroine is great! Durrant's choice of the Shakers for a historical novel is really interesting; I feel I learned a lot more about them by reading this book. Rosemary Elizabeth tells a great story!

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was fascinated by this story, as I knew very little about Shaker life. I loved Rosemary Elizabeth's discoveries of all of the little imperfections that various individuals had and her realization that our imperfections and differences make us who we are. I thought it was a good message, and I loved reading about a life that is so foreign to me.

[Benny Bundi]

I liked reading this book because it was interesting to learn about life in the religious shaker towns during the Civil War. At the same time however there was about zero action until the very end which made it boring. I wouldn't recommend reading this if you are bored easily but if you like history go for it.

[Debrarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted this book to be more nuanced and come more alive, but I did enjoy it, mostly because my family used to spend the occasional special weekend at the Pleasant Hill Shakertown (which is now a living history museum) and I love that place.

[Noreen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This historical fiction follows a family of children abandoned at a Shaker community during the Civil War. It was very interesting reading about the Shaker customs and ideology, as the eldest daughter fights to maintain her real name and personality among the stifling Shaker environment.

[Kathy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Setting is 1862, Kentucky. Mother leaves her 3 children with the Shakers.
Detail about Shaker life and religion is very interesting.

[Joanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Torn between 2 and 4 stars so I'll settle on 3. Loved the history of the Shakers. While the book was written well, the characters weren't well developed.