Beverly Lewis Transports Readers to the Heart of Amish Life

Beverly Lewis: A Trailblazer in Amish Fiction, Bringing Heartfelt Stories of Faith, Love, and Community to Millions of Readers.

The Cherished Author Behind Amish-Inspired Fiction Shares Her Process

Beverly Lewis, pioneer of Amish fiction with 19 million books sold, explores faith, love, and cultural divides through storytelling inspired by family history and personal connections to Amish communities.

B everly Lewis, the celebrated and bestselling author, has enchanted millions of readers worldwide with her poignant, faith-driven narratives that delve into themes of love, forgiveness, and community. With over 19 million copies of her books in print and translations available in numerous languages, Lewis has become a beloved name in the literary world. Widely recognised as a pioneer of Amish fiction, her stories offer readers a heartfelt glimpse into the simple yet profound lifestyle of Lancaster County’s Amish communities.

• Beverly Lewis’s debut novel, The Shunning, was inspired by her grandmother’s story of leaving the Old Order Mennonite community.
• Her childhood in Pennsylvania Dutch Country shaped her passion for writing about the Amish lifestyle.
• Authenticity is essential in her work, ensured through hands-on research and connections with Amish women and families.
• The Christmas House explores cross-cultural understanding and the importance of community during the holiday season.
• Faith is a cornerstone in her writing, reflecting themes like forgiveness, grace, and mercy.
• Beverly emphasizes the universality of human emotions, making her stories relatable regardless of readers’ backgrounds.

An interview published in Mosaic Digest reveals insights from Beverly Lewis that her inspiration for her Amish-centered tales stems from her own childhood in Pennsylvania Dutch Country, where she was deeply fascinated by the “Plain” culture. Family stories further fuelled this passion, particularly those of her maternal grandmother, Ada Buchwalter. As Lewis shared, Ada left her Old Order Mennonite community to marry, resulting in her excommunication and shunning, a painful experience that later served as the foundation for Lewis’s debut novel, The Shunning. This connection to her family’s history imbues her novels with a sense of authenticity and emotional depth.

Beverly Lewis masterfully bridges faith, heritage, and love with heartfelt, authentic storytelling that resonates with readers worldwide, transcending cultural barriers.

Research plays a pivotal role in Lewis’s writing process, enabling her to bring the world of the Amish to life with accuracy and respect. Her efforts include engaging with Amish vendors, visiting craft shops, and personally connecting with members of the Amish community. Lewis even stayed with Amish families over two summers to deepen her understanding of their way of life. “Amish women have become my best research consultants,” she revealed, “and I have made lasting friendships with them, especially because of the common bond of our Plain heritage.”

“That connection to my heritage has a deep influence on my writing.”
– Beverly Lewis

Her novels are set in the fictional town of Hickory Hollow, inspired by real places in Lancaster County. Lewis describes the setting as idyllic and quintessentially Amish, with its rolling cornfields, silos, and barn-dotted landscape. Hickory Hollow has become a beloved fictional world for her readers, drawing even more tourists to the real Lancaster County in search of the places that inspired her heartfelt stories.

Lewis’s latest novel, The Christmas House, exemplifies her ability to blend cultural exploration with universal messages. At its heart, the story addresses themes of community and belonging. Liz Lantz, an Amish protagonist, aims to bridge the divide between her Amish neighbours and an English (non-Amish) family who have drawn attention with their extravagant holiday decorations. For Lewis, the story highlights the importance of listening and understanding across cultural divides—an approach she believes would benefit real-world relationships.

While the Amish culture offers a unique backdrop, Lewis’s stories resonate on a universal level. “People are people no matter the culture,” she explains. Her characters embody deeply human desires—for love, purpose, and triumph over adversity—ensuring they remain relatable to all readers. In blending romance with cultural exploration, she often portrays characters from contrasting worlds finding common ground, with one partner typically making significant sacrifices for love.

Unsurprisingly, faith is central to Lewis’s storytelling. Like the Amish community she depicts, Lewis’s work is rooted in themes of forgiveness, grace, and mercy. She likens the process of interweaving faith into her stories to the craftsmanship of an Amish quilt, ensuring every detail contributes to a cohesive and uplifting message. Prayer, too, plays a vital role in her creative journey, guiding her as she develops each new story.

Reflecting on her writing journey, Lewis shared a favourite memory from working on The Christmas House. “The finale felt so powerful within me as I wrote it,” she recalls. “The words simply poured out, which is unusual for me since I view myself as a rewriter. And, yes, there were tears.”

For aspiring authors interested in culturally specific or faith-based storytelling, Lewis advises immersing oneself in thorough research. “Delve deep into practices and beliefs unfamiliar to you,” she suggests, adding that staying with the people you aim to depict can provide crucial insights. She also emphasises the importance of authenticity in writing—creating settings and characters that feel alive and sincere.

Ultimately, Lewis encourages all authors to write from the heart. “Write what’s burning in your heart, with empathy and understanding, as though the reader is your dearest friend,” she advises. With a legacy of books that serve as windows into the Amish world and mirrors reflecting universal truths, Beverly Lewis continues to inspire readers and writers alike, inviting us all to embrace themes of grace, love, and belonging.

Source: Mosaic Digest