The Hope of Refuge by Cindy Woodsmall

An Ada's House Novel

Sep 21, 2009 Kelley Huston

Cindy Woodsmall uses her personal relationships with the Amish to write this well researched book.

The Amish are fascinating to the non Amish world. This sect has many practices that seem unusual to the modern world. Cindy Woodsmall writes of the Amish in her latest book, The Hope of Refuge.

Plot

Cara Moore remembers her father leaving her at the bus station shortly after her mother was killed in an accident and saying "stay here Emma will come for you". That was the last time she saw him.

Cara was raised in foster care where she had many unfortunate experiences. Among them was living in MIke's parents house. As they grew up Mike became a cruel stalker who denied Cara any happiness.

Finally Cara could take Mike's stalking no more. She vaguely remembered going to Dry Lake Pennsylvania with her mother. She decided to take her daughter, Lori, and try and hide in Dry Lake.

Little does Cara know it but she has family history in Dry Lake. Her mother was actually an Amish girl who left the religion as a young woman before Cara was born. Cara and her mother had returned to Dry Lake and Cara's mother had tried to make it possible for her to stay in Dry Lake. Cara and her mother returned to New York City before the decision was made and then Cara's mother was killed.

Upon arriving in Dry Lake, Cara "borrows" clothes, food and blankets from several Amish families. She manages to pay for the clothes, but is finally caught sleepin in the barn of one of the families. It is Ephraim Mast'sbarn, who ironically was Cara's friend when she had visited Dry Lake as a child.

Cara manages to clear her name but not without doing damage to Ephraim's reputation. She takes many opportunities to improve things for she and her daughter.

Extras in the Hope of Refuge

Cindy Woodsmall has included a Pennsylvania Dutch to English glossary in the back of the book. When the Amish are speaking to each other in the story, they often speak in Pennsylvania Dutch. Often the gist of what is said can be gained from context but it is often nice to have the glossary to make sure what was said is in fact understood correctly.

She has also included a main character list. The list explains not only who the characters are but any relationships they have in the book. Background information is also given for some of the characters.

The Hope of Refuge is an excellent book. The characters are described in detail throughout the story and become so real to the reader that the reader cheers for the victories and feels bad for the hardships they go through. The dialogue is well written and adds to the story by both moving the plot along and giving a glimpse into the personalities of the characters.

The Hope of Refuge is a great start to a new series and would make good reading for any environment. The book is a quick enjoyable read and leaves the reader wanting more.

The Hope of Refuge by Cindy Woodsmall

Waterbrook Press, 2009

ISBN: 978-1-4000-7396-2

The copyright of the article The Hope of Refuge by Cindy Woodsmall in American Fiction is owned by Kelley Huston. Permission to republish The Hope of Refuge by Cindy Woodsmall in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

The Hope of Refuge