A Plain & Fancy Christmas

A Novel

By: Cynthia Keller

Narrated by: Susan Denaker

Length: 9 hrs and 30 mins

Publisher's Summary

Raised in a Pennsylvania Amish community, young mother Rachel Yoder has led a simple life within her close-knit family. Widowed three years ago, she has moved back in with her parents, attempting to raise her daughter, Katie, without further emotional upheaval. Meanwhile, four hours and a whole world away in New York City, Ellie Lawrence is laser-focused on a high-powered public relations career, with too little time for her family, her friends, or even her boyfriend.

Then one fateful day, these two very different women receive shocking news of a mistake made three decades earlier and long kept hidden: Shortly after their births, the two were accidentally switched in the hospital. Shaken to the core by this momentous news, Rachel and Ellie are plunged into an exploration of who they are and where they really belong. While Ellie is eager to learn more about her Amish family and their life in the countryside, Rachel cannot help but feel jealous as she watches the only mother she has ever known bonding so easily with her natural daughter. But Rachel also knows that her own biological family is out there, and with Katie at her side she heads for Manhattan, where she establishes a connection with the raucous, spirited Lawrences.

As Ellie and Rachel make their way through unfamiliar landscapes, they face life-altering challenges and grapple with a crucial question: Will their old conventions and desires give way to new customs and yearnings? With the Christmas holidays fast approaching, it takes the love of two families for Rachel and Ellie to discover their own paths to fulfillment and happiness.

From the Hardcover edition.

©2011 Cynthia Keller (P)2011 Random House Audio

Great Story Line

I really enjoyed this book a lot. It really makes you think.... It was challenging in a good way.
It was more than a Christmas story. It was about the lives of people from different paths.
So good!

Entertaining

The story of two young women learning of their true identity was so captivating. Looking forward to seeing what happens next.

Great concept...missed opps for detail.

I was intrigued by the concept of this book, however I feel that the author missed many opportunities to delve into more detail about each of the families' situations. This story could have easily been a 2 or 3 book series, one each for Rachel and Ella's story and then perhaps a final volume that told the story of the extended families meeting. As written, it was difficult to develop a real connection to any character and left me wanting to know more.

What a waste

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

Story line

Has A Plain & Fancy Christmas turned you off from other books in this genre?

No

Would you be willing to try another one of Susan Denaker???s performances?

No

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Disappointment

Any additional comments?

So full of stereotypes I could not even finish. Narrator was really flat and uninteresting. If you want a better story about the Amish listen to