“Shaker romance” might seem like an oxymoron, but Gabhart (Summer of Joy) pens an interesting if emotionally lukewarm historical tale that explores the fascinating world of a religious Shaker community. The predictable story line is less compelling than the details about the Shakers and their stringent religious beliefs, with celibacy key to the plot. Set amid the War of 1812, the point of view shifts between the two romantic leads. Twenty-year-old Sister Gabrielle Hope's spiritual visions enable her to see future events. Although she's committed to the Shaker community of Harmony Hill (based on Kentucky's real-life Pleasant Hill), a few words and a kiss from the widowed outsider Dr. Brice Scott cause her to question the life she and her mother have chosen. More uncertainty follows as the strict rules of the community separate mothers from their children. Disappointingly, the romance never tingles, and even the novel's darker scenes of suicide and military execution are emotionally flat. But fans of Beverly Lewis's Amish novels may find Gabhart's well-researched historical fiction to their liking. (Aug.) Copyright 2008 Reed Business Information.
Average Rating: 4 out of 5 stars(4 out of 5 stars)
8 of 19 Reviews Showing:(View All Reviews)
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Nancy Smith (Chippewa Falls, WI), January 20, 2010
Wasn't they type of story I expected, but when I started reading The Outsider,I couldn't put the book down. Ready to go on the second book.
2.5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Joyce Cunningham (Muscatine, IA), November 20, 2009
I haven't read Shakers No. 1 but I really enjoyed No. 2. Learned a lot about the Shaker
Movement.
4.5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Christine Howard (Ridgecrest, CA), July 29, 2009
Wonderfully written and researched. Rich characters with strong themes and dialogue. The background of America's early years is a great historical time often overlooked. A definite good read.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Sherry Watson (Littleton, NC), July 18, 2009
Ann Gabhart writes another great book! This historical novel has many twists and turns. Ann paints a vivid picture of what life was like in the Shaker community. Outside of Harmony Hill a different life exists, the real world, where the war is taking young lives. This is a real page turner. Be sure to read Ann's other books too. I hope she writes more soon.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by FERN COX (Cleburne, TX), July 15, 2009
This book should be rated a "15 stars" It was one of the best books I have ever read !!!!! I also have visited the Shaker Village and the Amish country, and I have read MANY books about the amish, and I was really excited to see a book about the Shakers. Thank you for this wonderful book!! I have ordered the second one,The Beliver, and I can hardly wait til I get it.
3 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Deborah (Reston, VA), November 20, 2008
Looking at the cover of this book, one might think "Oh, it's another Amish book." Well then the reader is in for a surprise as the story is about another lesser known historical religious group, The Shakers. Gabrielle's story brings to life the daily life of the Shakers and gives the reader a glimpse of what life was like for someone who did not truly belong. It was interesting to see how they dealt with the outside world and how they tried to maintain a closed knit society. The story made it sound like the Shakers were not true Christians. Their beliefs incorporated practices that were not needed to become real believers of Christ. It's sad that they felt that they had to include these in order to live a fulfilled life. It was a heartbreaking way to live with mothers being separated from their children. Doing more research showed that many times it was the husband who originally chose this way of lifestyle and forced the rest of the family into joining. It's a subject well worth spending more time looking into. The story is well written. This is the author's first historical novel and a lot of research was done for the book. I learned a lot from it as I had only the basic understanding of Shakers from history class. I'll be looking forward to reading the next book in this series by Ann Gabhart.
3.5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Bea Nyce (Souderton, PA), November 12, 2008
A very interesting story about the Shakers. Its tells you of many strange practices of these people, It makes you sad it makes you angry, it makes you fret but in the end it all comes together a great story; Gabrielle is a very warm loving girl.
4 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Juanita` Cross (Sherburne, NY), November 10, 2008
Great book Held your interest throughout the book. The shaker religion was a very strict organization and very demanding on their people
View all 19 Reviews
Write a review of The Outsider, Shaker Series #1
Author: Ann H. Gabhart
Submitted: November 13, 2008
Tell us a little about yourself. I'm a country girl who has always lived on a working farm in Kentucky. Not horses. Beef cows. I started writing when I was ten and have been writing ever since. I've published eighteen books with three more scheduled to be out from Revell Books in the next couple of years.
What was your motivation behind this project? I enjoy historical fiction and had two historical romances published by Warner Books in 1978 and 1980. At that time I researched the Shakers and wrote about them, but the time wasn't right for the book then. After a major rewrite, the time seems to be right now and The Outsider is being very well received by readers.
What do you hope folks will gain from this project? I always want my readers to like my characters and to be glad they read my stories. I hope they also come away with a better understanding of the Shakers and frontier days since the book also tells about the War of 1812. Last but certainly not least, I hope they are inspired by the faith journey of my characters.
How were you personally impacted by working on this project? While researching the War of 1812, I saw the horrors of war in any age and my admiration grew for those men and women who have defended our country with courage through the years. I also was interested to learn more about the Shakers and what they believed.
Who are your influences, sources of inspiration or favorite authors / artists? I come from a book loving family so I've always been blessed with the availability of books. Reading has always inspired me. I like so many authors it's hard to pick out a few, but Chaim Potok opened my eyes to how a writer can make a character come to life on the pages of a book and Barbara Kingsolver is another favorite.
Anything else you'd like readers / listeners to know: I love to hear from readers so come on over to my website and tell me what you like or don't like in your reading world.
Catalog Shopping
Membership
