DVD Review & Giveaway: Beverly Lewis' The Shunning

I was pretty excited when I got the e-mail offering me the chance to review "The Shunning"  on DVD. I've been a fan of Beverly Lewis for years, and I think I have read all of her books. Here's a little background on Beverly Lewis: 

BEVERLY LEWIS - Author of "The Shunning"

Beverly Lewis, born in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch country, is The New York Times bestselling author of more than eighty books.  Her stories have been published in eleven languages worldwide.  A keen interest in her mother's Plain heritage has inspired Lewis to write many Amish-related novels, beginning with "The Shunning," which has sold more than one million copies.  In 2007, Lewis' "The Brethren" was honored with a Christy Award.

Lewis has been interviewed by both national and international media, including Time magazine, the Associated Press, and the BBC.  Lewis lives with her husband, David, in Colorado. 

The Shunning is the first book in a series called "The Heritage of Lancaster County." The movie stayed pretty true to the book, telling the story of how Katie Lapp struggles to stay within the strict confines of the Amish Ordnung. Her first love, Daniel, shared his love of music with her, even though musical instruments like the guitar and any songs not in the Amish hymnal (the Ausbund) were strictly prohibited. Even Daniel disappears and is assumed drowned in the river, Katie finds that her love for him, and her love for the forbidden music, haven't died. 

Beverly Lewis' The Shunning - About the Movie

Before she succumbs to cancer, the dying wish of Laura Mayfield-Bennett is to be reunited with the daughter she never knew. Unfortunately, that daughter, Katie Lapp, is a member of the Amish order. Katie is about to be married, but uneasy about the path ahead.  Now she discovers the secret her parents have kept from her: she's adopted. 

The film is based on the celebrated first novel of the best-selling "The Heritage of Lancaster County" book series from author Beverly Lewis. Stars Danielle Panabaker & Sherry Stringfield.

Here's a trailer of the movie.

I really enjoyed this movie. I don't want to give too much of the plot line away, and spoil it for people who haven't seen it yet! It was a good, clean family movie...although one family member who had not read the book was a little confused by the flashback scenes that introduce Katie's first love, Daniel. I think the movie captured the struggles Katie had in staying true to her faith. I loved the woman who played Ella Marie Zook, the elderly Amish midwife who has befriended Katie. She played the character with just the right blend of quirkiness and grandmotherly love. 

The only problem with this movie is that it followed the book so closely. The book is the first in a series of three, and leaves you with a lot of questions at the end. As the film ends, you are left with a lot of the same questions: Does Katie find her birth mother? Does Katie ever get over Daniel? Will she return to her Amish roots? 

I hope that there's another movie soon to follow Katie's story from the second book in the series, "The Confession!" I'm keeping an eye on the Facebook Page for the movie to watch for an announcement about the next movie! 

The Giveaway! 

I have the chance to give away a DVD of the movie "The Shunning" to one of my readers. There are two ways to enter: 

1. By leaving a comment below (leave your e-mail address if it doesn't show up in your Google profile, so I can contact the winner)

2. Or, if you would rather not post your e-mail on a public blog, you can send me an e-mail at FreeCellPenguin@gmail.com - with the subject line "The Shunning Giveaway"

Giveaway ends on Monday, October 3rd at 11:59 PM. Limited to U.S. residents only, age 13 and up. Limit one entry per person per day. 

The winner is: Louis (Raven in a blue room). Congratulations! 

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