After Emma’s parents died, her disagreeable grandmother often sent her to stay with the Eshes, a nearby Amish family.When her grandmother died, Emma was sent to live with distant relatives. While Emma was comfortable at their home, she never felt she truly belonged.On her twentieth birthday, things took a turn for the worse when her uncle announced he was finding her a suitable husband. Emma was … husband. Emma was shocked to learn the man was Thomas Esh, who was said to be a secret drunkard and a gambler. In response, Emma took a job as a housemaid and fled the Amish community.
Several months later, a chance encounter with Thomas leaves Emma confused. Was it possible for someone so reckless to change completely?
Did Emma make the right decision when she left the Amish all those months ago?
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The Amish Girl Who Never Belonged is Samantha Prices’ novella about a young Amish girl, Emma, who was orphaned at age seven. She spent the rest of her youth being moved back and forth from her strict and insensitive grandmother’s house to the homes of families with whom she would live and work for the period in which they needed her. She ended up with her aunt and uncle, who were determined to marry her off. Unfortunately, they thoughtlessly brought this up on her 20th birthday! This was just one more of a long line of unhappy birthdays that began when her parents were killed in an accident on her seventh birthday. As an orphaned only child, Emma has no family to go back to, so she must either find a way to support herself, or give in accept the fact she will soon be married to someone she barely knows, and who isn’t her own choice. About the only difference I would have with Emma, was her comments about people texting and thus being separated from those around her. First, many of us are using texting to STAY connected. For example, when we cannot physically be with our loved ones, texting is the next best thing! Also, when you are in public, it is wise to be VERY cautious about connecting with strangers. I realize I may have a bias, as I have seen the worst of people’s natures, in my work in the criminal justice system, but it truly is wise for everyone to exercise caution in talking to strangers!!! I will not give away any spoilers. Will Emma run away and start a new “Englisch” life, or will she return to the fold in Lancaster and submit to her pre-planned future? Will her aunt and uncle find a good mate for her, or will she meet someone on her own? Or will she end up fending for herself in a culture in which that is not well-accepted? I would like to say that Price does a good job of developing characters. Emma is an outcast, and I found it refreshing to read a book from the misfit’s point of view. I found myself empathizing with Emma, feeling emotions such as anger and joy on her behalf, and feeling like I know her!
This author has done an excellent job of using hard circumstances in a young woman’s life to lead to better days. I really enjoyed the book and the outcome.
Just like all the others that I have read by Samantha Price, I thoroughly enjoyed this book & highly recommend it if you like books about the Amish people.
I enjoy books about the Amish way of life.
Loved the story!
there aren’t many amish books I don’t love
Enjoyed it very much. Emma has never fit in anywhere and she struggles as an adult to find her place in the world. Very nicely done; you can feel her pain and confusion.
True depiction of the AMish way of life
I like stories that are unpredictable & realistic with a positive tone.
Not realistic to Amish ways
It left me up in the air. It needed to be finished properly.