Kingdom of Simplicity

by Holly Lynn Payne

In 1994, author Holly Payne (The Virgin's Knot and The Sound of Blue) was struck by a drunk driver and left unable to walk for nearly a year. The driver wrote a letter, asking for forgiveness but rather than respond with a letter, she wrote him this book, inspired by the Amish practice of forgiveness. In Kingdom of Simplicity, Payne, a native of Amish Country Lancaster, Pennsylvania, invites the reader into the world of Eli Yoder, a misguided Amish youth, who, after losing his family in a tragic accident, has struggled with forgiving the perpetrator. True to Amish tradition, everyone he knows has moved on with their lives except him. Shamed by his unwillingness to forgive, Eli leaves home during rumspringa, the time of 'running around' for Amish youth before they accept their faith, and searches for acceptance from the Outside World. Here a surprising friendship teaches Eli how to laugh again and prepares him to confront the biggest questions of his life. Written in simple, striking prose, Kingdom of Simplicity paints a detailed portrait of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania its countryside, its markets, and the inner-workings of its homes giving the reader an authentic perspective on the Amish that's rare in literature. For anyone who seeks forgiveness or is confronted with the choice to forgive, Kingdom of Simplicity is an invitation to live from the heart and heal.

Genres: Young Adult, Religion, Fiction, Book Club

296 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Holly Lynn Payne is an award-winning, internationally published novelist in eleven countries. Her debut novel, The Virgin’s Knot, was named a Discover Great New Writers Book from Barnes & Noble. Her third novel, Kingdom of Simplicity, based on a true story of forgiveness, won a First Place Benjamin Franklin Award and Grand Prize for Writers Digest. She is the host and producer of the Page One Podcast and interviews the world’s master storytellers on the stories and struggles behind the first sentence, first paragraph and first page of their books. Notable guests include bestselling authors Lemony Snicket (Daniel Handler), Dean Koontz, JT Ellison, Tess Gerritsen, Robert Dugoni, Alka Joshi and Yasmin Darznik among others.

She is the former CEO and founder of Booxby, a startup backed by a grant from the National Science Foundation that built a patented AI technology to aid book discovery for authors. She founded Skywriter Books, an award-winning small press, publishing consultancy and writing coaching service which she continues to serve. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her daughter and has volunteered as a producer for Litquake, the West Coast’s largest literary festival.

When she’s not writing, interviewing, or coaching other writers, she enjoys getting dirty on a mountain bike, surfing and hiking with her daughter and Labrador retriever, Lady Gaia. She holds a BA with honors from University of Richmond, where she received a distinguished Alumni Award, an MFA from USC, and MIM from the Academy of Intuition Medicine, bringing her healing gifts to her writing coaching clients. Payne has served on the faculty of the Academy of Art University, California College of the Arts and Stanford, and loves helping people reclaim their voice through storytelling. She has written for Huffington Post, Release Print Magazine, University of Richmond Alumni Magazine, MOCA+ magazine and Medium. She received her MFA from USC and can be found at www.hollylynnpayne.com and on Instagram and Twitter @hollylynnpayne.

Reviews

[Jo Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

A stranger told me I'd love this book...I wish I remembered who that stranger was, because I did indeed, love this book. The story: Eli Yoder, a young Amish boy, loses his sisters when a hit and run driver slams into their buggy...the Amish forgive, unconditionally...but Eli continues to struggle with that forgiveness, is shamed by his lack of it...the book is his journey, through adolescence and Rumpringa, the time of Amish youths' testing and running around in the English world to determine whether or not they wish to stay with the Amish community or leave it. There are some wonderful characters and unexpected happenings. I learned so much about the Amish, and was reminded of one of my favorite movies, Witness...and of visits to Lancaster County...the rolling dinner chairs, pluckets, customs, values, clothing, etc. of the Amish. This book will be with me for a long time.

[Emma de Brabander · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinerend

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Holly Payne's Kingdom of Simplicity was a book my book group selected. I wouldn't have chosen it for myself. In fact, I rather think it might be a better read for high school readers. While the story focuses on the Amish and the act of forgiveness, the bigger lesson that can be drawn from the narrative is how human we all are, and not so different from each other in our motivations. Interesting that the youth in the novel are given a period to "sow their wild oats" before they dedicate themselves to the faith. While the protagonist does return to the fold after much questioning of the tenets of his faith, the book does not address what happens to those who choose to live outside the faith.

[George · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is quite simply an excellent story, appropriate and accessible for adults, young adults, and maybe even some of the sharper middle-grade kids.

It follows one Eli Yoder, an Amish boy in Pennsylvania Dutch country, from about age 7 to his late teens. Eli has to deal with a tragedy in his life, and a shameful secret that comes of it. Eli must come to understand what forgiveness is, and then master the even-tougher task of forgiving himself.

The book does have a happy ending, so if you're tired of modern novels that end in tragedy, or just peter out, unresolved, fear not. This is an excellent book, and I cannot recommend it too highly. So read it already!

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Holly Payne writes this book as an act of forgiveness to the drunk driver who hit her and who caused her to spend a year learning to walk again. Her main character, Eli, is an old order Amish child who must learn to forgive a tremendous childhood tragedy. The book is great in its exploration of forgiveness as an active--not a passive--tradition among the Amish. Without giving too much away, the book goes a little bit _Secret Life of Bees_ in the middle, but then comes back, in the end, to the Amish and Eli's struggle to both forgive and remember. It's fascinating.

[Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holly Payne’s always lovely writing is better than ever, yet spare in a way that matches the daily world of the Amish family she so ably creates. It is easy to relate to the main character Eli Yoder as he struggles to understand life, love and the unpredictable events life brings. A universal story of growing, living, and learning how to forgive; it is a book well worth reading and giving to friends and family.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up this book because I'd read an profile of the author in The San Francisco Chronicle. And I'm SO glad I did.

Though I knew almost nothing about the Amish culture and traditions before reading this novel, I felt quickly drawn into this new world. I felt like I was learning about forgiveness as the protagonist, Eli, does -- that is, I experienced the story rather than simply was "told" it. I felt changed by it -- and isn't that what the best fiction does for a person?

[Colleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

An Amish boy on the path towards the light encounters many dark places in his journey of acceptance and forgiveness. This is a beautiful tale, gently told. As an avid reader of literary fiction I found myself slowing down to savor or re-read sentences that continually thwarted a tendency to skim. Picking up one of Holly Payne's books requires the reader to pause and enjoy the art of writing for the love of a story that you will want to share and discuss.

[judy-b. judy-b. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Saw this on someone's list and the premise caught me: The author was struck by a drunk driver and left unable to walk for nearly a year. The driver sent her a letter asking her for forgiveness, and she wrote this book in response.

I enjoyed the story, appreciated learning about Amish life and culture, but the writing did not grip me. It is solid writing, better than average, but perhaps a little too heavy on the simplicity.

[Carrie LeAnne · Rating 3 out of 5]

For East Pete HOA Book Club. Purchased Kindle book.

I have mixed feelings about this book. The writing seemed simplistic and didn't seem to flow very well. On the other hand, I learned some things about the Amish culture - if it is accurate.

The story seemed to drag on in the first half, then sped up. There were a few points that brought tears to my eyes.

[Jenny · Rating 2 out of 5]

I tried. I really did. I read and then moved to skimming and finally had to abandon this one after about 175 pages. While I was fascinated to learn more about the Amish, I found the storyline and characters forced and situations beyond unbelievable.

[Jana Bouc · Rating 1 out of 5]

Supposedly about forgiveness but the story was dreary and the characters just didn't feel realistic to me. I gave up halfway through when I realized I wasn't looking forward to reading it and couldn't relate or believe in any of the characters.

[Kristine · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book (and also to finish it). I just couldn't. I found the Amish culture and the premise of the book very interesting. However, I felt the book dragged on at times, and I just couldn't get into it.

[Christine · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was interesting in that I do not know that much about the Amish and Holly Payne was able to able to give me some insight into their way of life, especially their views on forgiveness. The story is readable but not memorable.

[Vanessa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a book you need to chew on while reading. The concepts of forgiveness and moving on all woven within the culture of the Amish can make it rather heady at times. The ending ended up being a bit too contrite for me, but still has a resonance to it in the long run.

[Patricia · Rating 2 out of 5]

This books starts out well but loses steam. It is fascinating to learn about the Amish culture, and the main character held my attention for about 150 pages. There are two many big events, and the ending was painfully slow.

This might be a good YA novel.

[Robin Yaklin · Rating 2 out of 5]

The main character is wonderful. The other characters are good, too. The editor of the book was heavy-handed in my opinion.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

A provacative book about forgiveness. A littel far fetched in parts, but a good coming of age story nonetheless. I learned a lot about the Amish, a very interesting community.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dragged along with silly moments at times. Liked learning more about the Amish culture.

[Susan Mayne · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author came to our book club! Fascinating story of a young Amish boy dealing with the issue of forgiveness. Author gives us details of the lives of the Amish.

[Dianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite books in a long time! Will definnitely read it again. An interesting insight into Amish life, with surprisingly contemporary themes. Highly recommend it.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love, love, love this book. As all the books we have ever read in either book club, none generated as much conversation. We all must forgive someone at some time in our lives.

[Kara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a book club book about forgiveness. It really provided great insight into the Amish and their concept of forgiveness.

[Lizz Owen]

Great message on forgiveness!

[Lavada · Rating 5 out of 5]

Story of an Amish boy and forgiveness.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Een jongen die worstelt met de dood van zijn zussen, met zijn geloof, met zichzelf ... Mooi verhaal !

[Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing story of forgiveness, utterly captivating from the start. The characters are wonderful. Loved it!