Review (Christian Fiction): Beside Still Waters by Tricia Goyer

April 22, 2011

Beside Still Waters

by Tricia Goyer

B&H Books

320 pages

ISBN: 978-14336-6868-5

Christian Fiction/Contemporary/Amish

From the publisher:
Raised among the Amish of Indiana, 18-year-old Marianna Sommer plans to get baptized into the church, marry Aaron Zook, and set up life in the only community she has ever known. But when her older brother chooses the world’s path following his rumschpringe, and a younger sibling begins showing interest in Englisch ways, Marianna’s parents move the family to Montana.

Although she is also in her rumschpringe years and not obligated to move, Marianna makes the journey to dutifully help her mother who is expecting another child. Surprisingly, from strangers on the cross-country train ride to the less rigid stance of the new Montana community, many Englisch influences awaken within Marianna—and even her father—the desire to pursue a deeper kind of joy and love for God.

After an accident, Marianna tells her friend Ben a defining story about the Sommer family, and his response further illumines the active relationship God seeks with His followers. In due time, she learns the move from Indiana was not about losing anything, but finding out who God really is. Despite all the shake-ups, Marianna feels a sweet peace, like still waters, in her soul.

My Review:

I'm beginning to think that Tricia Goyer can do it all! Not only is she an amazing non-fiction and historical fiction writer but now she has conquered the Amish fiction genre with her book, Beside Still Waters. I think it's high time that I admit that I am once again becoming a fan of the Amish fiction book. For a while I quite reading because it seemed that all the stories were so predictable but with fresh, new authors emerging seemingly everyday it seems that anything and everything is happening in the fictional Amish world. Tricia Goyer is definitely one of them.

The first thing that caught my attention is that this novel is not set in Ohio or Pennsylvania, the traditional setting of many of the Amish stories that I've read and secondly there is a lot of interaction between the Amish and "Englischers." I especially liked Ben, the van driver for Marianna's family and the community, I have the feeling that we will be seeing more of him in the future. To me he was the most interesting character and I look forward to seeing where his friendship with Marianna goes.

Overall the tone of this book is kind of heavy but again life isn't always happy so why should the stories we read be? I appreciate fiction that deals with issues like tragedy and rejection but at the same time is full of hope and as person finding understanding where they least expected. It's nice to read a book that is fiction but also tells a deeper story in a way that's not "preachy" or boring in any way. I enjoyed Beside Still Waters and hope to read more Amish fiction from Tricia in the future.

To learn more about the author visit:

Her WEBSITE

Her BLOG

**Special Contest Announcement**

Beside Still Waters Giveaway:

To celebrate the release of the first book in the Big Sky Amish series Tricia is giving away 10 copies of Beside Still Waters and a pair of super cute antique Amish salt & pepper shakers.

Details at Tricia’s blog, It’s Real Life: http://triciagoyer.blogspot.com/2011/04/beside-still-waters-giveaway.html

BONUS! Each person who enters the giveaway will receive a FABULOUS Montana Amish Calendar. Hurry, it’s only available while supplies last!

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* I received my ARC from the publisher in exchange for posting my honest review of the book for the Litfuse tour.*