Emma: A Widow Among the Amish by Ervin R. Stutzman -Paperback
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*Emma: A Widow Among the Amish* by Ervin R. Stutzman, published in 2007, is a deeply personal and fictionalized account of the author's mother, Emma Stutzman. The novel portrays the challenges Emma faces following the sudden and tragic death of her husband. Now a widow and single parent, Emma must navigate the pressures of modernization and mainstream culture while striving to keep her family rooted in Amish Mennonite faith.
### Overview
The story centers on Emma's journey as she manages the difficult transition from being part of a married couple to raising six young children on her own. The novel explores her emotional and practical struggles as she tries to balance her responsibilities, maintain her faith, and lead her children through their own grief and adjustment.
### Key Themes
- **Resilience and Adaptation**: Emma's efforts to rebuild her life and provide for her children amid changing societal pressures.
- **Faith and Tradition**: The challenge of upholding Amish Mennonite values and traditions in the face of personal and external difficulties.
- **Family and Community**: The role of family and community support in overcoming adversity.
### Style
Stutzman, the youngest son of Emma, combines elements of fiction and reality to create an intimate portrait of his mother's experiences. The narrative is both a personal homage and a reflection on broader themes of faith, resilience, and the impact of modernity on traditional lifestyles.
### Connection to *Tobias of the Amish*
This novel is a sequel to *Tobias of the Amish*, which recounts the true-life story of the author's late father, Tobias. *Emma: A Widow Among the Amish* builds on the themes and style of its predecessor, providing a complementary perspective on the Stutzman family's Amish experience.
Overall, *Emma: A Widow Among the Amish* offers readers a heartfelt and insightful look into the life of a woman who faces profound challenges with faith and determination.
