When the English Fall: A Novel

As one of the English, this novel was a scary read! It wasn't scary because it had monsters or zombies or ghosts; it was scary because it is all so very plausible. In this day and time, we are always living only a few days or even a few hours from an apocalyptic reality. What happens in the book could easily happen in real life. The scenario alone should lead the reader into some deep and reflective thinking.When the English Fall is written as a series of journal entries from the hand of a good-hearted Amish farmer near Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The journal begins before "the event" and continues throughout the aftermath. The emotions expressed are raw and real. Jacob loves his family. He cares deeply for his farm, his beasts, his devout and humble way of life. He is an integral member of his Amish community. He trusts in God. As an "Englisher," I found myself at many points to be quite envious of Jacob, his family, and his community. And, indeed, that is one of the subtle aspects of this book. David Williams has done a remarkable job of weaving several threads of ever so subtle commentary into the tapestry that is When the English Fall. There is a very subtle commentary on climate change; a subtle psychology (accompanied by a gentle pastoral counselor); and a far less subtle commentary on what it really means to follow Christ while the world goes insane.When the English Fall is a necessary novel for this present moment in history. The world is changing at an unprecidented rate. Actions and ideas that were utterly unacceptable a year or two ago are now mainstream in American society from the grass roots to the Oval Office. Life, for the poor, the sick, the elderly, the immigrant, has been devalued, and many who claim the name Christian have left behind the virtues and teachings of Christ in favor of an angry and violent political kingdom. When the English Fall provides an alternative narrative. Jacob and his community truly wish to follow the Red Letters of the Gospel, even when such following is uncomfortable, costly, and even dangerous. Rather than the individualistic prosperity gospel of American Christianity, the way of Jacob's community is "one-anothering;" it is always about what the people can do for one another as they follow Christ, about how families work together for the common good, guarding their own hearts against the wickedness of pride.This book was a real page-turner for me! Very well written. Williams does a fine job developing the charaters and endearing many of them to the reader's heart. I would love to read a sequel that follows Sadie on the post-apocalyptic road she must follow. I must also admit that even though I am English, I have a copy of Martyrs Mirror on my book shelf, a huge and heavy clothbound volume filled with the stories of those who loved not their lives unto death. When the English Fall has caused me to fetch down that enorous book and begin to read again.

Forget modern-day preppers; when the crap hits the fan there’s already a group of hardy Americans who have the means to survive in a post-apocalyptic landscape: the Amish! Actually, it surprised me I hadn’t considered this perspective before. I’m not religious myself, but the way in which deep faith prescribes the actions and decisions of this group of “plain folk” in the aftermath of a global catastrophe is compelling and moving. My only issue is the ambiguous ending, if only because it’s utterly sequel-worthy, if not series-worthy. There is so much more to explore amongst the themes of this novel, snd I would love to find out how our protagonists fare in the coming age—and what’s the story behind the letter-exchange between the couple in the opening of the book?!? As a reader, I demand answers once I’ve been hooked like this! Good read; I recommend.

Stunning tale of a 21st century Carrington Event, in which a solar storm of devastating magnitude destroys most of our planet's electronics-based science. Cars no longer run, planes fall from the sky, computers and cell phones are silent. Within a matter of a few short hours the world we know is ripped back to the 1850s. Only the Amish, the 'plain people' who avoid the trappings of ease most Americans consider life essentials, remain mostly unaffected. The collapse of civilization is less traumatic to them, but their gentle, peacefully agrarian culture is torn apart by the violence caused by terrified, starving people who have become refugees from nearby cities. These people are what the Amish call "the English" -- those who do not belong to their order and prefer the benefits of science and marketing over those of farming and Amish craftsmanship.As the starving refugees abandon the cities, the Amish turn to their religious teachings and attempt to feed those who wander in search of simple survival. Sadly, the tragic personal stories are drowned out by the violence that comes with hunger and fear. Without a transportation system, food rots in warehouses. Without gasoline for the few farm machines that still run, crops can't be picked. With the world's entire communications system shorted out by the solar storm, there is no way to coordinate what little food remains for distribution.Faced with starving, violent Americans, the pacifist Amish are confronted with the greatest challenge to their faith and non-aggressive ways since their diaspora from Europe in the 17th and 18th centuries. One young daughter of a devout farmer and his wife is plagued by strange seizures and the inexplicable messages concealed therein. The families and their 'English' friends and neighbors must band together in the face of major change if they're going to survive the upcoming invasion of the terrified, starving and violent.

"Gesegnet aber ist der Mann, der sich auf den HERRN verlässt und dessen Zuversicht der HERR ist. Der ist wie ein Baum, am Wasser gepflanzt, der seine Wurzeln zum Bach hinstreckt. Denn obgleich die Hitze kommt, fürchtet er sich doch nicht, sondern seine Blätter bleiben grün; und er sorgt sich nicht, wenn ein dürres Jahr kommt, sondern bringt ohne Aufhören Früchte." Jeremia 17.7-8"Die Englischen". So nennen die Amish die hektischen unzufriedenen Menschen da draußen. Mike ist zum Beispiel so einer. Er kommt ab und zu in die Amish-Siedlung, um bei Jay, dem Zimmermann, eine in Auftrag gegebene Arbeit für einen Kunden abzuholen. Mike redet immer viel und ärgerlich über das, was er im Radio hört. Jay beobachtet ihn dabei, ohne Hass, ohne Verachtung, ohne sich von dessen Zorn mitreißen zu lassen. Es tut so gut, diesen erfrischend entschleunigenden Blick des sanftmütigen Zimmermanns auf das Leben, auf die "Englischen", auf die Weltgeschehnisse zu lesen. Und die tragen schon bald apokalyptische Züge. Interessant zu lesen, dass die wackeren Amish-Familienväter dieser Siedlung gar nicht besonders apokalypsegläubig sind. Zudem ist Jay einer, der sich das Denken nicht verbieten lässt. Deshalb ist er aus seiner ursprünglichen Heimatsiedlung weggezogen, hat Anschluss an eine tolerantere Siedlungsgemeinschaft gesucht und gefunden.Als eine sich schon seit geraumer Zeit anbahnende Naturkatastrophe in ihrer ganzen Härte zuschlägt und das Land ins Chaos stürzt, sind es die schlichten und fleißigen Amish, die mit beiden Beinen auf dem Boden bleiben, helfen, Notleidende zu versorgen, und deren Leben dank gefüllter Vorratskammer unbeeinträchtigt weitergehen kann. Oder doch nicht? Wie lange kann eine absolut pazifistische Gemeinschaft wie sie überleben angesichts einer um sie herum zusammenbrechenden gewalttätigen Welt?Soviel Menschlichkeit, Herzenswärme und Güte fand ich selten in einem einzigen Buch. Es ist ein faszinierender Einblick in die stille Welt und den einfachen Glauben der Amish people. Und dabei schwebt stets die Bedrohung der unabwendbaren Auslöschung über der Handlung wie ein Damoklesschwert. Man kann das nicht ausblenden, der epische Rahmen spricht eine zu eindeutige Sprache. Auch der Ich-Erzähler, der das Geschehen in kurzen, treffenden Tagebucheinträgen schildert, spürt etwas davon, obwohl er weniger wissen kann als der Leser. Aber was weiß der Leser eigentlich?Die Tagebucheinträge sind kurz, gerade so, wie Tagebucheinträge sein können, wenn man den ganzen Tag auf Feld und Hof schuftet und das einzige schlechte Gewissen, das man sich im Leben jemals macht, die Frage ist, ob es recht ist, ein Tagebuch zu führen. Die unaufgeregte, einfache Sprache des tiefgläubigen Mannes hinterlässt einen bleibenden Eindruck."It was not what I wanted to hear today, but perhaps it is always that way. Among the English, being a preacher meant you were important, that you were a leader. Here, it is a task. It is a simple demand of the Order. It is like plowing a field, or butchering a cow.I hope that, for me, it is not too much like butchering a cow."Ein wunderbares, stilles Buch. Und am Ende extrem berührend.Eindeutig mein diesjähriges Lesehighlight.

Sehr interessante Perspektive auf unsere Welt und was passiert wenn ihr die Grundlage entzogen wird. Die inneren Konflikte des Ich Erzählers geben einen tiefgründigen Einblick in die unbekannte Welt der Amish People.