Still Life in Shadows

Alice J. Wisler's newest offering, Still Life in Shadows, was a book I'd looked forward to reading upon its release, and it did not disappoint! The first novel the author has written from third person point of view, Still Life allows the reader to understand the plot from both the eyes of Gideon, the ex-Amish main character known as the "Getaway Savior," and a middle-school girl with autism, Kiki. I felt a lot of compassion toward both of these characters: Gideon, because of the hard decision he made to leave behind the Amish world in which he was raised and the very troubled brother who comes to live with Gideon after leaving the Amish himself, and Kiki, because she must learn to cope with her autism in a world where people are not always as understanding as she would like them to be.

This book brought to light the "other side" of the Amish world. Christian fiction has an overabundance of books, in my opinion, in which the Amish are portrayed in an overly positive light, one of purity and simplicity. While Wisler's goal is not in any way seeking to denigrate the Amish, she did draw on true-life experiences of those who have "escaped" the Amish culture in writing her novel. I've only read one other novel (Christian fiction) that dealt with the Amish way of life, and frankly, never much considered the negative aspects of it before reading this book. Wisler handles the topic thoughtfully and tastefully, yet honestly at the same time. I appreciate a novel that not only entertains, but makes me think, and this one did just that. Great characters, great setting (small town in the Smoky Mountains, a beautiful place if there ever was one), and great plot all come together to bring the reader a very enjoyable reading experience!

I'm a regular customer of the post-apocalyptic, sci-fi, and crime genres, so 'Still Life' was a real change of pace for me. To be brief, it's a slowly-paced, simple and sweet little story with a lot of heart.

I found minor issues with how the characters and plot were written, and with the wavering point-of-view, but I tried not to let that detract from what I felt the author was ultimately trying to convey. This story addressed some themes common to us all, like acceptance and forgiveness, without getting religious or preachy. It's a feel-good book that can interest even those of us who don't do feel-good books. Despite that this book's title makes zero sense to me, it's a story that doesn't make apologies or excuses for the messiness inherent in all our lives to some degree, and that is something I could relate to.

David Bosco gives a good performance that evokes the emotions of the characters and breathes life into the story. Overall, despite its imperfections, I am glad that I gave this one a try.

(I requested this free review copy audiobook and voluntarily posted this unbiased review.)

Interesting story about Amish life, and leaving it behind to start a new life outside of the Amish world.
Sometimes you can run, but your problems always have the nasty habit of finding you and settling in....

Gideon, after starting a new life away from his Amish Community in Pennsylvania, meets a teenage girl named Kiki. She's different. She and her sister, Mari have challenges of their own.

Great characters, moving and compelling story, and wonderful narration. I really really enjoyed it :)
Give it a listen :)

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
Please take a moment to click the "YES" ("Helpful") button below if you found this review helpful :) Thank you! :)

Bottom Line: Still Life in Shadows is a sad, moving, very realistic story that convinced me to check out more Alice Wisler books.

Lovers of Amish fiction could read this for a gritty look at the intersection of Amish and English worlds.
Within the bucolic life of the Plain People, how can abuse and despair still flourish like a poisonous plant? Answer: because the Amish are fallen men craving grace like the rest of us, and sometimes parental pride combines with strict religion and drives the children away.
That's what happened to Gideon, almost two decades before. He withstood the oppression of his father as long as he could, and then he escaped.

Now he's a reserved, still-waters-running-deep kind of man working in an auto-repair shop, and on the side he's aiding fellow escapees.
The Getaway Savior. That's what they call him.
It's a heavy title to wear, and a great responsibility to carry. Helping young Amish people transfer to the outside culture requires patience and wisdom.
Gideon can usually summon up both, and he earned them through his own hard experiences. He's just now able to look back on his upbringing and realize that there are some parts he doesn't want to throw away. Even while he lives and moves in the modern world, there are some Amish attitudes that are forever built into his soul. He doesn't hate all of it. Just the pain and the shame and the secrets.

Flitting about on the periphery of his life is a source of joy that he tries hard not to notice. Kiki, a teen girl obsessed with working on her bicycle, and Mari her older sister. Kiki wants a job at the garage and Mari serves the best tea and pie in the state. For a reason he doesn't understand, he begins connecting with both of them, allowing tiny thoughts of Family to slip into his head.
And then his real brother returns. Oh, Moriah. Why?

I love the way that Alice Wisler gave every character's story an inherent dignity. That's important... that each one have their space and let the meanings flow from whatever happens, good or bad. This book is beautiful because most of the action is actually internal, inside Gideon and Mari and Kiki and Luke and Ashlyn and Ormund, and Moriah and Della and Principal Pepper. Depending on their role in the story, you get to see various amounts of their growth and faith and thoughts.

Thabk you MP Newsroom for my copy.

On more than one occasion, I have had a conversation with Alice Wisler about my book reviews. She has asked me if I ever write any negative reviews. Now, I always try to find the positive in all the books I read and I do like to focus on the positives (not to mention the fact that I like a wide variety of books), but I did tell her that if she wants to read a not so positive review of mine, she should read some of my Amish fiction reviews. Amish fiction is not my favorite. There are some very good Amish novels and a couple consistently excellent Amish novelists, but in general, I don't care much for the Amish genre.

Imagine my disappointment when I found out my FAVORITE author had written an "Amish" novel. I thought, "Alice, no, not you too!" But, I knew she would not let me down and when I learned that Still Life in Shadows was about an ex-Amish man who helped the Amish escape, I was certain this book would be different. It was. I was fretting over nothing.

I became a fan of Alice's books with her first novel, Rain Song. That book has been my absolute favorite book ever since, even after reading all of her books. I'm not sure I can say that any more. Still Life in Shadows had all the things that make Alice's books wonderful, but I also found that it had more. It seems to me that Alice has really been refining her writing and bring much more emotion with her when she sits down to write.

I have gotten to know Alice personally in the years since her debut and one of the things that I love about her books is that she puts so much of herself in her stories. I love that personal touch and it makes her books more sentimental for me as a reader. She really outdid herself in Still Life in Shadows. I really appreciated her including her son Daniel in this story in a very special way. Daniel was just four years old when he passed away on February 2, 1997 and Alice used the date February 2 in a special way in this story and it did not go unappreciated by me. It's those little details that Alice never misses, and as a reader, I love that she shares so much of her heart with me.

Alice did not forget about the hopeless romantic in all of us in this story. The developing (and fragile) relationship between Gideon, the ex-Amish man, and Mari was perfectly woven into a story with a deep message of forgiveness in a beautiful way without being sappy.

This book held a most pleasant surprise for me and her name was Kiki. Kiki is an autistic teenager and I adored her. Among my favorite books are those that focus on young girls who have difficulty fitting in, I can relate to that from my younger days. I loved seeing the world through Kiki's sensitive eyes. Without her, this book would not have been quite right. She belonged in this story with this group of people who only wanted to know the love of family and belonging. I loved it.

Still Life in Shadows is a beautiful story. I loved every moment and once again I am reminded why Alice Wisler is my favorite author. I cannot recommend this book highly enough. I really can't believe that I think I have found a book that I liked better than Rain Song, but really any book by Alice is a winner.

This book was provided for review by the publisher.

This is a wonderful book of forgiveness and redemption, captivating and well-written, with well-developed and diverse characters. I must say that "Kiki" is by far my favorite. In my opinion, this is the author's best book yet, and I recommend it.

Meet the characters:

Gideon Miller, the story's protagonist, is gripped by anger, hatred and bitterness toward his father to whom he refers as "the Beast." Still, he has a caring heart--especially toward those who had suffered as he did under a tyrannical father and strangulated by Old Order Amish beliefs and isolationism. Would Gideon ever have thought that a thirteen-year-old autistic girl would have such an impact on his life?

Moriah Miller, Gideon's youngest brother, had suffered through the same kinds of physical, mental and emotional abuse from their father. Although he was a kind, generous, and thoughtful person, he had difficulty handling his newfound freedom in the English world. He made choices that would cause untold agony for his family and friends.

Kiki Yanagi was always herself--totally honest and uncomplicated. She loved people and she yearned for them to love her, especially her classmate, Angie. She'd learned to endure thoughtless teasing from her peers, but she longed for Angie to be her friend. After her persistence lands her a job repairing bicycles at Russell Brothers Auto Repair where Gideon works, it isn't long until she manages to steal the hearts of Ormond, the owner of the shop, and the other employees--even Gideon.

Mari Yanagi, Kiki's older sister, runs Another Cup, the coffee shop/diner where Gideon eats lunch every day. Putting her own desires aside, she assumes responsibility of caring for her kid sister because of their mother's mental illness. Gideon longed to know Mari better, but would she let him into her life?

Reginald Smithfield, son of a prominent resident, Luva Smithfield who "owned" Twin Branches, North Carolina, was an intolerant bigot who loathed anyone who was different, including blacks, American Indians, Jews, Asians, and Amish--anyone who wasn't a white, mountain-born person.

Ormond, who owned Russell Brothers Auto Repair, was an easy-going, funny, wise and generous man of faith, and he would "give his right arm for his friends."

River North Fiction (Moody Publishers) provided me with a complimentary copy of this book for review. The statements expressed here are entirely my own honest opinion.

In her newest book, Still Life in Shadows, Alice J. Wisler tells an unusual story. Using fiction skillfully, Wisler weaves an interesting plot, however, at the same time, she unveils two generally unrelated, minority communities to her readers.

The first of these is the world of the autistic and their families.

Kiki, a highly functioning, young autistic girl constantly strains against the rules. She is opinionated, smart and talks incessantly. Often she feels ostracized by her peers, so she spends most of her free time pedaling all over town on her bicycle. Her best friend is a straggly cat puppet that her mother gave her. That was before her mom was deemed incompetent to care for Kiki and her older sister, Mari.

The second minority community Wisler discusses is the Amish. Gideon, also known as the, "get away savior," fled from his harsh father and the unrealistic constraints of his Amish community in Pennsylvania. That was almost 17 years ago.

Gideon established a quiet life in Twin Branches, North Carolina. His routine consisted of walking to work at the auto shop, lunch at Another Cup tea room, where he flirted with the owner, Mari, and fixing his own simple dinner at home. Occasionally, this peace was interrupted by a desperate phone call, someone from his own Amish past, seeking Gideon's help to escape the crushing legalism.

One day, out of the blue, Moriah, Gideon's youngest brother whom he hasn't seen since leaving home, shows up in town. He too fled their father and was looking to make his own way. Unfortunately, Moriah falls into the wrong crowd, with deadly consequences.

Wisler creatively combines the genres of romance and mystery. At the same time, she evokes compassion for the marginalized, awareness for the plight of the autistic and an understanding of life in Amish communities.

I found, Still Life in Shadows, to be a little eclectic, perhaps reaching to pull too many broad motifs into one book. However, I admire her effort and she does it well. A few of the prose and metaphors are awkward, but they do not detract from the narrative.

Still Life in Shadows, is compelling to the very end. A good fictional read with the added benefit of exploring less-common themes.

I read this book with interest because forgiving others in your family who have seriously wounded you is one issue that resonates with me. It took some very unforeseen circumstances to bring Gideon, the protagonist, to a place where he could see himself changing from one who harbored hatred against his Amish father, into a believer in Christ who could forgive even the worst kind of parental upbringing. I am sure many Amish families are not like the one Gideon came from, but having someone like Gideon to assist you in a total culture change is a wonderful means of "working out your own salvation" for this main character.

Many of us are lugging around an invisible ball and chain from our past because we can't seem to forgive and forget, but Still Life in Shadows brings hope for breaking the chains of our past and becoming new creatures in Christ. I would, however, have liked this novel better if more of the transformed Gideon were added on to the end of the book. Perhaps it's just planting seeds for a sequel?

The girl, Kiki, is an extremely interesting character in this book. Not many novels can combine an ex-Amish person, an autistic child, and the child's older sister, both from Oriental heritage, into a believable and cohesive novel. Alice is a wonderful author at building real characters into her novels. Although most of the novel dwells on the sombre malaise of Gideon and his past, I still give this book a 4 star rating. (The Twin Branches police don't seem very bright at figuring out if Gideon were the one who committed a felony, he wouldn't leave all the evidence right in his own backyard!)

It's been fifteen years since Gideon Miller ran away from his Amish community in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. He left when he was fifteen. Gideon arrives in the Smoky Mountains town of Twin Branches and settles in at the local auto mechanic's garage. He meets a host of interesting characters -the most recent acquaintances are Kiki, an autistic teen, and her sister Mari. Known as the "Getaway Savior" he helps other Amish boys and girls relocate to life in modern America.

One day the phone rings. On the other end is his brother Moriah calling from Florida. Of course Gideon welcomes his brother to stay with him and offers him a job. But Moriah is caught in a web which ends in his death and forces Gideon to return to the town of his youth, with his brother's body in the back of a hearse and Mari and Kiki at his side. He must face not only the community he ran away from years ago but also his own web of bitterness. Will he be able to give his anger over to God and forgive his father?

STILL LIFE IN THE SHADOWS is inspired by the TV series Mose Gingerich of the TV series, Amish: Out of Order, STILL LIFE IN THE SHADOWS is a story that depicts the other side, the negative side, of Amish life.

The characters are kind of flat, not really developed well, and the romance in this story flat-lined. But the story is very vividly described. Readers can see the fried vegetables that is the only meal Mari makes, and see the longing of the young girl, Kiki, to eat something else. But yet--Mari knows how to bake pies... I'm curious why she can read a recipe for pies, but can't for anything else.

Fans of the romanticized Amish life might not enjoy this book so much as those who are very much anti-Amish. If you are looking for a different sort of Amish book, or a book talking about the bad side of Amish life, then STILL LIFE IN THE SHADOWS is a book to consider.

With this book, Wisler has a new publisher, a new genre, a new story, a new point-of-view...but the same gentle writing style that slowly engages while constantly offering powerful emotional insights.

Due to the popularity of Amish novels and their celebration of the "simple" Amish culture, a book like this - where the hero is a man who helps others leave their Amish roots and embrace the Englisher lifestyle - is bound to intrigue. But Still Life in Shadows is more the story of one man trying to figure out how to reconcile his past and his present (and one girl whose daily struggles alternately annoy him and inspire him) than it is a story out to bash the Amish. While it certainly raises some questions about the rigidity of the Ordnung and the possibly unyielding ways of some of the Amish people, Wisler's story pretty well avoids generalizing and instead boils everything down to the personal - the grief and difficulties the characters struggle with in their own unique situations.

So if you're looking for a fast-paced, anti-Amish book, this probably isn't the one for you. And if you're a fan of Wisler's romance novels, be aware that, while there is some sweet romance tucked away in these pages, the focus is on the two people whose thoughts we are privy to: Gideon, and an autistic girl named Kiki. This book isn't really about the exciting plot twists, but rather about the journeys of Gideon and Kiki and the people that love them.

Still Life in Shadows offers a tender - but not sugar-coated - look at the sorrows of life, the choices that we make, and the hope and growth that can be found in unexpected places, at unexpected times, and in unexpected ways. Love-affirming and life-affirming!

*With thanks to the publisher through CFBA for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for my honest opinion.*

Still life in Shadows is definitely a unique perspective on the Amish life. Among the many genres of Christian fiction that I read is Amish fiction. In most Amish fiction novels, their lifestyle is depicted as unyielding on the one extreme, but overall as an enjoyable simpler lifestyle. It is generalized frequently that the popularity of Amish fiction is due to readers using it as a form of escapism. Still Life in Shadows, however, shines a light on the fact that, just like every other lifestyle or religious choice available - there are people for whom an Amish lifestyle fits, and people for whom it does not. The main character, Gideon, has chosen to escape that lifestyle, and to help others escape from it. Additionally, the novel points out that anger and abuse can surface in even the most peaceful of societies - which is why Gideon made his choice to leave. The author also chose to cover the subtopics of autism and hoarding within the confines of this novel. All of these topics are handled with care and respect.

Unlike most Amish fiction novels I feel this one would appeal to both men and women. It isn't an action novel, and there is a love story there, but it is handled in the male point of view and in a realistic manner (in other words, full of natural road blocks and confusion).

Still Life in Shadows by Alice J Wisler

River North is new publisher to me and Alice J Wisler a new author but I decided to look into this book after seeing it had to do with a young man leaving his amish roots,

"Still Life in Shadows" by Alice J Wisler

Fifteen years ago Gideon Miller ran away from the amish life that seemed so perfect, but it held a childhood secret that he could not leave behind and it haunts him even today...
Gideon lives in Twin Branches, N.C. a small town with some folks with big hearts.. He helps when someone calls needing help to leave their amish community and has become known as "Getaway Savior" a title that he is not all that happy with but he does like helping a young boy find himself and grow in the "English world".
KIKI is an autistic teen who enters the shop where Gideon works as a mechanic -a fact that Gideon is not happy with to begin with. He will learn many things through the eyes of this young girl. Her sister Mari works at nearby Tea room where Gideon drinks Green tea often and has noticed Mari as a young woman he could have an interest in. He has been alone too long and is thinking he needs to move forward with his life.
You will like reading this story of a young man moving from amish roots to small town living and how he copes from day to day never forgetting to help others. He must find it in his heart to forgive and move forward. Can two sisters bring a ray of sunshine into this dingy automobile shop and the men that work there? Can Gideon ever go home again?
Thanks Alice for some great characters and a great story

This is an interesting story that explores the theme of forgiveness and how we are set free when we forgive both others and ourselves. Wisler does a good job at explaining how some might wish to escape the Amish lifestyle without coming across as overly critical of that lifestyle. Although the plot is somewhat slow moving, each chapter builds upon the previous chapters so it didn't necessarily bother me. That being said, if you are looking for a fast-paced, action-packed book, this might not be the best choice. I enjoyed how we got to see Gideon and Kiki's perspectives. Although I think Kiki's portions are probably realistic, they were a little bit less enjoyable to read. I'm sure it is difficult to portray how someone with autism views the world, but this seems to be a sympathetic attempt. Finally, I liked the ending. The author doesn't feel the need to wrap everything up with a pretty bow, and this makes the story feel more realistic.

An interesting mix of characters: an autistic child,an ex-Amish and his addicted brother, and a young woman who tries to understand them all.As a former special education teacher, I found Kiki to be a pretty realistic autistic teen. I identified with the problem of the addicted brother, as my son once stood in his shoes. The author handled this difficult situation seasonably well. The main character, Gideon, is indeed conflicted, but it was surprising to me that he was so anti-religion. However, I preferred this more realistic look into the Amish and those who leave, rather than the overly romanticized portrayals in many books. Considering the issues she was dealing with, I think Ms. Wisler presented a unique and penetrating look into the life of these characters.

All kids must decide for themselves one day if they're going to follow what their parents taught them. It's natural and it happens to everyone. Now, what happens if that teen is Amish? From the perspective of an ex-Amish, what must we look like? Does it look like we have everything we could wish for? Do they come out of their communities with unreasonable expectations? Now, throw in temptations we all face, and you'll have the premise of this story.

This book touches on a vast array of issues. Intolerance from both sides. Bigotry. Autism. Harsh discipline. Love. Empathy. Compassion.

Bearing the shame of a family secret, Gideon Miller escaped the confines of the Old Order and his father's harsh ways. Now, fifteen years later, he is known as the Getaway Savior as he helps others from the Amish community transit into the "real world".
Enter Kiki, an autistic teen, who at times can be very persistent and impatient. After an unpleasant introduction, Gideon agrees to hire her on at his auto repair shop. It is only afterward that he realizes she is related to Mari, a woman he is smitten with.
Torn between the rules, or lack of rules, in the modern world and those of his Amish upbringing, Gideon is faced with moral questions, choices he has made and his belief in God.
Together, Kiki and Gideon find inspiration and hope in their displaced lives and above all else, God's forgiveness and grace.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The story touches your heart. It makes you laugh. It makes you cry. The characters are colorful and filled with life. The storyline is of personal relationships, forged friendships, and adapting in an alien world. It touches upon demons of the past, addictions, abuse, forgiveness. Honoring promises and making difficult choices. It deeply connects the reader to the story, making you question yourself as to the choices you would have made as opposed to Gideon.

In the end, it gives inspiration and hope as Gideon finds his way back to God.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of an honest review.

"Alice J. Wisler took me by surprise with this intriguing spin on the Amish genre. Still Life in Shadows is a beautiful story about the complexities of faith, friendship, family, and the daring lengths one man will go to save those he cares about. An excellent demonstration of God's love, this story has the power to change hearts." -Tina Ann Forkner, Author of Rose House

This book will transport you into "small-town" life with simple people and their deep complexities. The characters are genuine and leave you with the feeling that if you walked around a corner today, you could recognize them. I especially like how the characters evolve, as their hard corners are rounded and their hearts open. A great story of Hope and a lovely warm read!

I absolutely loved this book. Reading this put me in the mind of the series "Amish Out of Order". I would highly recommend this book to anyone. I read a lot and it takes a really "great" book to capture my attention and keep it - this one did exactly that. Read it in 2 days - which goes to tell you how well I enjoyed it.

Alice Wisler writes a heart wrenching story of family in Still Life in the Shadows. This story is one of how you can unassociate yourself with family, but you are forever tied to them through your blood. There comes a time in everyone's life when they must face the decisions that they have made in their lives. The main character Gideon has to face his past in extreme conditions.
Each character has pain in their heart from abandoning family. There is hope through the story that you can love others and care for them just as you would your family. Sometimes families are just dysfunctional. But despite the anguish that you are going through God brings joy through it all. That is the message in this book.
I thought the writing in the beginning of the book was choppy; it seems to go and then this and then that. I did not feel the flow of the book until about 100 pages in. That is when the plot starts to twist and turn with all of the characters. And then your heart connects to the pain of the characters.

Still Life in Shadows isn't your typical Amish novel. Alice J. Wisler shows a different side of the Amish life when she lets readers inside the mind of Gideon Miller, a thirty-year-old auto mechanic who ran away from his Amish life 15 years ago. Gideon doesn't look back with fondness. I liked the fact that he helps other Amish youth who want to escape, too. Another touching voice in this story is Kiki's, an autistic teenage girl. You won't be disappointed!

Still Life in Shadows

What a great writer!! Alice makes you a part of the story!! I especially like her
real life references to places and name brand products! Her character descriptions
and scene setups are fantastic!!! I am looking forward to reading all her books
(and trying her recipes.)

Still Life in Shadows is a heartwarming story of forgiveness. It also contrasts the ideas of knowing God's character versus simply knowing His rules. There is also a delightful autistic girl who points out some of the most important aspects of life. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

The prose of this story fits with the premise. It moves from a
sparseness that captures the main character's life and slowly grows into
a rich and full story. I loved the characters, especially Kiki. This
story is intriguing and different than other books I've read. Well worth
the buy!!

At fifteen, Gideon Miller left his sleepy Amish town and oppressive father behind. Working in a car garage over a decade later, he has earned the title of the "Getaway Savior" for other Amish teens wanting to escape their old fashioned life style. But, when his brother shows up on Gideon's doorstep, his past comes back in full force and Gideon is forced to turn to the true Savior.

I was really excited about this book, and found that it wasn't what I expected. I thought that the characters were all a bit childlike and hard to relate with. I realize that there are troubles with the Amish way of life, but I thought that things didn't need to so black and white about all Amish. It would be like saying that all homeschooling families produce males who are patriarchal. While there are problems with that, not all are like that. So, I would only give this book a 3 out of 5.

Interesting story about Amish life, and leaving it behind to start a new life outside of the Amish world.
Sometimes you can run, but your problems always have the nasty habit of finding you and settling in....

Gideon, after starting a new life away from his Amish Community in Pennsylvania, meets a teenage girl named Kiki. She's different. She and her sister, Mari have challenges of their own.

Great characters, moving and compelling story, and wonderful narration. I really really enjoyed it :)
Give it a listen :)

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
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