In Plain View: The Daily Lives of Amish Women by Judy Stavisky

 In Plain View

Book Summary

A fresh view into a life that is anything but simple.

What does the life of an Amish woman really look like? Over the course of a decade, author Judy Stavisky, a curious outsider, spent hundreds of hours getting to know the women of Pennsylvania's Lancaster County Amish community to find out the answer to this question. She joined mothers and grandmothers, unmarried women and teens, on their shopping excursions for household items, fabric, and groceries. They drove miles between undulating fields and shared hundreds of hours of conversation on everyday topics--laughing together about sneaking healthier entrees into their family's evening meals, sharing concerns about their children, and trading family remedies for persistent coughs. As relationships evolved into enduring friendships, she grew to understand firsthand how Amish women bind their families and communities together.

In Plain View draws the reader inside a community governed by faith and separated by time, taking a closer look at the roles Amish women assume within their families and community, their fierce work ethic, and their camaraderie. Hundreds of years of shared traditions comes to life through a personal connection with Amish women, their own soft voices gently opening their world to an outsider.

My Thoughts

In Plain View:  Amish Women at a Glance by Judy Stavisky provides information on the day to day lives of Amish families.  Judy spent time with the Amish in Lancaster County to get a firsthand look at their busy lives.  The book is easy to read thanks to the author’s casual writing style.  She recounts the stories like she is chatting with friends.  We learn about the clothing the Amish wear, where they purchase their fabric, where they do their grocery shopping, schooling, appliances, gardens, canning, and so much more.  We see the complexities of their life as well as the joys.  The Amish live in close knit communities where faith and family are foremost.  It is a daunting task to feed a large Amish family.  I cannot imagine the long, hot hours spent in a kitchen canning produce and meat.  There are pictures as well.  We get to see what it is like to live without modern technology (no air conditioning, microwave, dish washer, a dryer, a regular washing machine).    You can tell that the author spent many hours with the Amish.  It is clear that she developed friendships and respects their lifestyle.  In Plain View is for anyone who is curious about the Amish and the way they live. 

In Plain View:  The Daily Lives of Amish Women is available from Amazon*.  Thank you for joining me today.  Tomorrow I am a stop on the Great Escapes Virtual Book Tour for A Dark and Stormy Tea by Laura Childs.  It is 24th A Tea Shop Mystery.  This series is one of the two that got me hooked on cozy mysteries.  I was wandering around a bookstore one afternoon looking for something different to read (this is before ereaders).  I happened upon a small section of books labeled cozy mysteries.  I picked up Death by Darjeeling (the first A Tea Shop Mystery) and Crewel World by Monica Ferris. Two days later, I was back at the store getting the other books that were available in each series as well books from other series.  Most of the cozy mysteries at that time were craft related.  What book or series got you hooked on cozy mysteries?  I am off to do some work around the house.  I hope that you have a fulfilling day.  Take care, stay cool, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

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