Review: The Outcast by Jolina Petersheim

The Outcast by Jolina Petersheim

Publisher: Tyndale House

Pages: 400

Format: book

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  Raised in an Old Order Mennonite community, Rachel Stoltzfus is a strong-willed single woman, content living apart from mainstream society until whispers stir the moment her belly swells with new life. Refusing to repent and name the partner in her sin, Rachel feels the wrath of the religious sect as she is shunned by those she loves most. She is eventually coerced into leaving by her brother-in-law, the bishop.

But secrets run deep in this cloistered community, and the bishop is hiding some of his own, threatening his conscience and his very soul. When the life of Rachel’s baby is at stake, however, choices must be made that will bring the darkness to light, forever changing the lives of those who call Copper Creek home.


Kritters Thoughts:  A modern retelling of the Scarlet Letter, but with a fantastic twist.  It isn't just modern it takes the story into a community where sex out of wedlock is a major no no, so it heightens the story to the next level.  The author made a perfect twist of fate into the story to allow for the father of this child to have to come out in the public and own up to his part of the whole fiasco.  

With two different characters providing narration, it was nice to get the story from another point of view besides Rachel; although it was a little odd and off putting for that other narrator to be a deceased person.  It was easy to forget that he was deceased as he was more of a third party narrator than one with an opinion.  

I loved how the community added a little extra to this story because she was extra shamed by the community by her actions.  The family dynamics were so interesting to read about.  I couldn't believe how one's family can completely disown them by actions that were not completely of their own.  

A great book that takes you into a different community that doesn't always have fiction written about it - I loved taking an inside peek into this community and was surprised of the geographic location of the story.  

Rating: absolutely loved it and want a sequel (and we are getting one!)

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from Tyndale House Publishers.  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.