Discover May's Best New Reads: Stories to Ignite Your Spring Days.

Karen Harper

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4 comments posted.

Re: Fall From Pride (6:39am August 23, 2011):

It's really interesting to hear about all these varied Amish settlements! One thing I've learned researching these books is that the scattered settlements do have differences. The bishops can decide to do things their way to a certain extent. This even means such "small" things as the way men may cut their hair or wear particular types of suspenders. Also, different communities adapt to the modern world in different ways. In Texas and a few other western states where they must farm huge areas to make a profit, sometimes machinery (not horse drawn) is permitted. They can adapt to technology when necessary. They seem stuck in history, but in some things they change and so survive and even prosper.

Re: Fall From Pride (3:44pm August 20, 2011):

I am continually amazed at the admirable attitude of oooperation among the Amish rather than the American focus on individualism and competition--which, of course, has its good points too.

Like several of you, I am fascinated by small groups of people who manage to live within the mainstream. To Linda Leonard: You mentioned the Shakers of KY. They intrigued me so much I wrote a novel about them called Circle of Gold, which takes place in historic Kentucky, partly at their community of Pleasant HIll, where people can still visit today. No wonder they died out, as they were celibate, among other reasons. --Karen Harper

Re: Fall From Pride (10:23am August 20, 2011):

Virginia Campbell: Your comment about the Amish/English codependency is very true. Especially since they are pacifists, they need the mainstream culture to protect them at times. I was shocked to learn that there are some hate crimes against the Amish, which I focused on in one of my earlier Amish novels, Dark Harvest. Some "English" really have beefs against them and pick on them to various degrees.

Karen Harper

Re: Fall From Pride (7:05am August 20, 2011):

Thanks for all the great comments so far. The Amish certainly make good neighbors. I admire the fact that, although they focus on their own, they also help others. I know of barn raisings and other time- and money-consuming things they have done for their Englische neighbors.

I just visited a lavender farm to research book #3 in this trilogy. (FALL FROM PRIDE is book #1) Research never looked or smelled better! Author Karen Harper