Leaving Lancaster: A Novel (Legacy of Lancaster Trilogy)

I liked that ultimately the whole family became friends again , or at least on speaking terms. I also liked that they seemed to get over their negative feelings soon after reuniting .I didn't like that Holly's seemed to have a chip on her shoulder, and whine about her childhood. I was really disappointed in her when I realized her age.Thank you L?Charlotte

As one other reviewer said it is about a mother and daughter. The mother, Esther left her Amish home, with her Amish boyfriend, Samuel (before they were baptized). They marry and have a daughter, Holly, but then the husband is killed in Vietnam. The daughter grows up not knowing anything about her parent's history. Holly is in her early 40s. The story begins when after opening a letter from her mother, Esther decides to return to her Amish family home along with her daughter.Part of the way in I had to put it aside because my own background made it hard for me to read about the way Esther was treated when she arrived home. Her arrogant little brother is a pastor which means he has the authority to make decisions for his community and he is head of the family. I guess making him such a self-righteous jerk allows the reader to see how some of the community see Esther.Side by side with her new relationship with the Amish community, is conflict between Esther and Holly. Holly is so immature that it is hard to believe she is an adult.I came back to the book a couple of days later and the story started to move away from the negative and towards more positive interactions. There is still a contrast between the people who welcome Esther and those who reject her, but acceptance become more prevalent. The kind and mature Bishop is a nice contrast to the more negative personality of some other characters.The book is made up of so many complicated relationships that it is amazing how easy it is to follow all of these relationships. These relationships are what really make the book special.The decisions that Esther and Holly make about how they will live the rest of their lives is very satisfying. The resolution of Holly and Esther's relationship problems is less satisfying.The writing flows smoothly. The relationships, emotions and events are described clearly. It is so noticeable when a book is confusing, but we don't notice when it is well written.

This was a well written story largely about forgiveness. The story line was very interesting and different (which was refreshing) than many predictable romances. At first I did not think it was even going to be a romance, but I was wrong. It follows the story of a mother and daughter who live together. The mother had grown up Amish and left her family at a young age with her Amish beau. They married, he got drafted to Vietnam, and disappeared over there when the rest of his platoon was rescued. The mother never remarried and never returned to her Amish faith. Rather she became a Christian and attends a Protestant church. Her daughter knows the truth about her dad, but is not aware that there are any living relatives until Grandmas writes that she is failing in health and begs her daughter to come and visit. So mom and daughter get on a plane and make the trip. There is a lot of insight into Amish life, the strictness of it, the bishop's authority over people's lives and the relative lack of freedom a woman has in the sect. As I said, it is interesting because of the different tact that the author has chosen to tell her story from. The narration switches back and forth between mother and daughter and is a little confusing at times. I was going to read the next book in the trilogy, but after reading the reviews I wasn't sure it was worth it. You definitely want to read this book first if you are going to read book number 2. It sounds like the third book moves onto new subject matter but still brings in some of the character from the first two books. Although none of the romance is completed in this book, it did not leave me yearning to find out what happened. Especially after I read the reviews of the sequel.

I have done it again, read the books out of order. This is book 1 in this series by Kate Lloyd. This is one that I received free for Kindle at Amazon.com. However, that was a while ago and it is no longer free. I tend to grab the books when they are free and read them when I have the time, which is the case here. However, it was so good, that I regretted putting this off for so long. My review: Esther and Samuel were two Amish youth wanting to experience the English world. They were sure this was what was important for them. After Samuel had to fight in Vietnam, Esther gave birth to Holly. Samuel does not return and is MIA and eventually pronounced dead. Holly grows up not knowing her father or her Amish roots. Esther feels the need to return to Lancaster and to her family, but will they be able to forgive her, especially because Samuel's death can be connected to their wanting to leave and her influence in their leaving. She and now grown-up Holly, return, thinking it might just be a short visit. But as the story unfolds, many little secrets, new relatives and the peace of being home, extend their stay. This story was really a good read. I enjoyed the characters very much and could see how it would be hard to return after having caused a big family and community rift. The feelings of guilt and loneliness for family were also evident here. I loved it, and have read the remaining books of the series and recommend them all. Kate is a great writer. One of the few books I have read lately, where I didn't pick up on lots of editing errors, typos, etc

I read this on the KindleI really enjoyed the book, but must say wanted to slap the 2 main people who are Esther who left the Amish when she was a teenager & her daughter HollyThe way the story went you think that Holly was a teenager not a 30 something she throws her toys out the pram also if she really wanted to know about her father as someone who works with computers she could also her mum who is 50 something well she came across as not a great person also as if she helpless yet telling her daughter what to doAll that said it was a good read just that the 2 people to wasn't that believable but the other people in the book i think more will come out like in most trilogyI will be reading book 2 & 3 in the series

I have been reading a lot of Amish novels over recent weeks and this has not been one of the more enjoyable ones or one of the believable ones. Won't be reading any more in this series, took me to finish this one! I persevered to the end and it was awful. Can't believe a thirty seven year old would speak to her mother like that in front of a roomful of strangers and newly found relatives. Can't believe someone who must be nearly sixty behaving like that. Have not enjoyed this book and cannot recommend it. Won't be reading any more by this author.

Although soemwhat exagerrated at times (I refer to the main characters' reactions to various events and moods), this was an easy read, with a storyline rather different from the norm. The insight into the lifestyle of the Amish and Mennonite people was interesting to me at least, but the rather hurried process of deciding to marry people was slightly unlikely! Altogether, a reasonable story, especially as it was free!!

was ok - characters were annoying and draggedchildish silly daughter, woe-is-me mother. But i liked the remaining characters and the description of Lancaster. The only thing that was odd was the belief that all Mennonites are modern- Not true - the countryside lot are interested n the whole clean living, non-corporate stuff too.

A great story which held my attention for hours on end. It was fascinating reading about the Amish people and the various characters . Being a Christian in England It is difficult to imagine this way of life, I loved it.