"The River" by Beverly Lewis

The River (Sept. 2, 2014) by Beverly Lewis.

Having never been baptized in their Old Order Amish church in [fictional] Eden Valley, Pennsylvania, in [factual] Lancaster County, formerly Amish sisters Tilly Barrows (née Lantz) and Ruth Lantz are not shunned by their family or community, but there remains no lack of guilt. The sisters left for completely different reasons. Tilly, eight years Ruthie’s senior, is racked with guilt over the death of her youngest sister, Anna, nine years ago. Tilly left Eden Valley eight years ago and never returned. Not for a visit, not for a nostalgic-yet-secret visit, not to introduce her family to her Englischer husband, Kris, or their now-four-year-old identical twin daughters, Jenya and Tavani. She also carries memories of a tough childhood, lacking the love her dad seemed to shower on everyone but her.

            Their parents, Lester and Sylvia, are about to celebrate a hallmark wedding anniversary (40 years). Celebrating such events, however big a milestone, is not a norm in Amish society, so the sisters are surprised at this. Then they find out that their father’s health is in decline. Modern medical advancements could help him, but he’s stubborn. Their father’s worrisome health prompts Ruthie to return to Lancaster County, but she doesn’t want to go without Tilly at her side for support. Ruthie never married after her failed courtship with Wilmer Kauffman, nor has she forgotten Will. Both sisters, while remaining God-fearing, faithful women, have their individual struggles with returning to their childhood home. They seek redemption, and, in Tilly’s case, maybe even the confirmation of love.

            When they left, they didn’t turn around and look back. What will transpire when they return? The past is past, but can members of the Lantz family overcome the tension of years ago in less than a week?

            Lancaster County seems like such an idyllic place, and it’s an actual county on the map. I love that, no matter what struggles the characters are facing, faith centers them and love fills them. Sometimes it must be re-discovered or strengthened, but it’s there. Lewis has created another heartfelt novel of love, forgiveness, facing the past and finding inspiration toward a brighter tomorrow. The journey through the story isn’t fraught with danger, but it is burdened by guilt and sorrow, love lost and love seemingly absent. Lewis is always good about tying up her stories with a nice bow, and I like that about her books, because there is always a great message to go along with it. Case in point: Life has thrown Tilly lemons, and while it seems that she’s made lemonade out of those lemons, she has in fact been harboring tart seeds of guilt for a long time. She doesn’t only need to forgive others, but she must also forgive herself. For how can she truly move forward when she’s dwelling on the past? How can any of us?