Politics….
Sophie left the Amish community three years ago because of a love affair gone bad, and the sting of her parents blaming her for everything that went wrong. Now suffering with an autoimmune disease, she has to swallow her pride, return home, and ask her parents if she can stay with them. As a result of her leaving, a lot of mean gossip occurred which most of the community, including her parents, believe. She must face that as well.
Sophie befriends an immigrant family that came here to seek refuge from certain death in their native land. Their oldest son, a dreamer who was not born here, has been put in jail. Believing the charges are untrue, Sophie works tirelessly with his family to get him released. She also strives to convince everyone that all foreign people that come here will be a boon to the community. It is only prejudice, and nothing more, that causes fear of them.
A concurrent story is that of Mary, an Amish woman who finds herself in the great Chicago fire of 1871. Her heart goes out to all the suffering afterward, and she tries to help. She faces evil people, prejudice towards immigrants, and the lack of community help—at first.
In the past, I have loved this author and her books. However, I wasn’t expecting a story that is used as a vehicle for a current political hot potato. In today’s climate, a book that is an escape from all the turmoil and political unrest is highly valued. Unfortunately, this tale does not do that, making this a 3-star story.
Bethany House Publishers has provided Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, A Patchwork Past, for the purpose of review. I have not been compensated in any other manner. All opinions expressed are my own, and I was not required, or influenced, to give anything but an honest appraisal. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
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