phyllish
Written on Feb 25, 2019
A story unlike any of the other Amish books these authors have written, The Meek speculates what it would it be like if our country was suddenly deprived of technology.Jedediah started as the main character of the story. This Amish man showed wisdom beyond his years as he looked to see how their community could band together to not only help each other but also to help those in the nearby town to survive. It was impossible to not love and respect him and cheer him for his choices and standing up for what was right despite opposition.I hadn't expected Jimmy to emerge as such a prominent character, but that was also due in part to how long it's been since I read the description. Jimmy is the hero's hero, using his quick thinking and kindness to keep order in the area when Marshal Law is declared.I won't say much about the story itself - most anything I say would be a spoiler. I do want to mention, however, that the romance, while a subtle element, of the story, was quite sweet. I loved the use of the cast iron pan.For any who remember the fears many experienced surrounding the what ifs related to a potential computer melt-down at the turn of the century, whether you believed they would happen or not, The Meek takes the concept beyond simply the loss of computers and removes all technology from the picture. But it reminded me of the things many believed would happen then.I especially appreciated the way the various types of people were portrayed in the story. There were the small-minded and lazy people who felt entitled to things that they had not worked for. There were those who simply did what they were told and hoped for the best. And there were those who were driven by the example given by Jesus Himself and led the people into choosing to do what is good and right in His eyes.The Meek was very interesting and several things occurred that I hadn't expected. I really liked the way the Amish community and the local town realized that they needed to work together and appreciated the realistic way there were dissenters in both groups. In fact, one of the Amish leaders ended up being a pretty terrible, vindictive sort and caused quite a few problems.There are some very tragic events that our heroes were exposed to in the aftermath, and yet the authors depicted these in such a way that didn't drag the story into the mire or make them too gruesome. (Thank you!)It would have been useful to have a better delineation of the passage of time. There were places where a significant amount of time had passed but there was no clear indication of this.While this is not a typical Amish fiction story, readers of that genre will enjoy it, as will readers of Apocalyptic type fiction.
Alex is the mayor who caused Nick so many problems in A Daring Venture as Nick tried to work with him to shut down the town to create a reservoir from the valley in which Duval Springs was nestled. Alex took exception to this and fought him tooth and nail to save the place that was so near and dear to his heart.
Eloise is quite interesting. She was also introduced in A Daring Venture. Her childhood story and feelings of not being valued touched my heart. Her love for rules and order arose from the events that drove both her and Alex from Duval Springs twelve years earlier. And her sense of adventure is now restricted to the calculating of figures in her head. She is strong, yet tender inside and a bit fearful of being outside of her element.
One of the things I particularly loved about Eloise was the way she hoped the best about her guardian. Despite the way he ignored her and the way the townspeople and those who worked for him viewed him, she was convinced he had something worthwhile deep within and was willing to stand up for him against the entire town.
This deeply emotional story tells of the desperate battle Alex wages to save his town. The risky plan he develops is rather amazing, even more so when you realize that it is based on actual historical events. Just don't try to cheat and try to find what that plan was by looking up Duval Springs - the town doesn't exist and never did so you'll be wasting your time.
I fell in love with this town that was able to trace its history back to a visit by George Washington. (They even had a chair at the tavern reputed to have been used by him once.) And the tradition at the tavern for the young men heading off to war - wow!
As with the other books by this author, there is mystery and danger that kept my interest throughout. The deep love that Alex still had for Eloise after all these years despite what had happened to him was nothing short of spectacular, even if he did make some spectacularly stupid choices.
I highly recommend this book for lovers of historical fiction.
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I was given a copy of this book. I was not required to give a favorable review nor was any money received for this review. All comments and opinions are my own.