Reluctant Witness

by Linda Markowiak

Reluctant Witness by Linda Markowiak released on Feb 22, 1998 is available now for purchase.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0373707851
• ISBN13: 9780373707850
• Release Date: March 1998
• Publisher: Harlequin Books
• Length: 192 Pages
• Weight: 0.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 4.2" x 6.7"

Customer Reviews

Outstanding

I have been making a conscious effort move away from series romances, but I love books set in the Amish world, so I couldn't resist this one. I had recently finished Beverly Lewis's powerful Abram's Daughters series, and was feeling an emptyness and sadness about closing the door on the family that had become dear to me through those 5 books. While this is not an esteemed Beverly Lewis book, it is a very good representation of the inner struggles Amish women face. Sarah, a young widow, was raped, yet her father and her Bishop forbid her from testifying against her attacker because it's not the Amish way to go outside their cloistered community, nor to involve themselves in the "Englishers" justice system. Yet, she couldn't find peace within herself after being violated in this intensely private way, especially considering how modest Amish women are taught to be. Allowing her attacker to roam freely meant that she and other women couldn't go about their everyday life feeling safe. Sarah is torn between obeying her bishop simply because she was expected to or doing what she knows in her heart is right, testifying in court and risk being shunned and losing contact with her family/friends. What she hadn't counted on was falling in love with the Englisher prosecuter, which further complicated her decision. They are from two very different worlds - how can they find a compromise which would allow them to make a life together? This was more than a romance novel, it was a cultural experience and a story about a woman breaking from tradition and being true to herself.

enlightening

Through this book I learned about the Amish way of life--their mode of transportation, how they don't use refrigeration, or electricity, and how they are discriminated against. Tourist came to their community and gawked, pointed, and jeered them. The heroine of the story, Sarah Yoder, was an Amish woman who had been raped. Naturally, she wanted to prosecute the scumbag, Randy West who violated her, but if she did so, Sarah would be shunned by her community. The Amish did not use the English law to resolve their disputes. And the Amish wanted Sarah to "turn the other cheek." Imagine. But could she? Read it and find out. For a fast-paced story that offers romance, a little education, and genuine conflict, "Reluctant Witness" can't be beat.

Entertaining and Entralling

My first impression was that this novel would be a poor remake of the movie 'Witness.' Boy was I wrong! This is a mesmerizing tale of two people questioning their station in life, and reaching out toward their dreams. I read this book in one sitting--it's a real 'can't put it down till I know how it's gonna end' book.