Review of: Lily of Appalachia Series: Under the Bridge (2017), Under Fire (2018), and Under the Juniper Tree (2019)—Emily Steiner

Abstract

The Lily of Appalachia series—the first series by Conservative Mennonite novelist Emily Steiner—is set in the Appalachian coal-mining country of Kentucky and West Virginia. The timeline follows Lily Burchett from schoolgirl to middle years, set in (as close as I could tell) the mid-1920s through the late 1930s. Taken together, the three books, Under the Bridge, Under Fire, and Under the Juniper Tree make a full circle, where the dreams and ambitions of the first book are not realized until the last book. If you read one of these books, you should read all of them. Each book title references a symbol that holds a theme throughout the book. The first, a bridge, which symbolizes a crossing over, is washed away. The second, a fire, which is a symbol of purification, is both a metaphorical fire of persecution and the literal fire of their house. The third, a Juniper tree, is undoubtedly a reference to the Biblical story of Elijah where deliverance is found in the midst of resignation. [First paragraph.]

Recommended Citation

Kauffman, Pete. 2024. "Review of: Lily of Appalachia Series: Under the Bridge (2017), Under Fire (2018), and Under the Juniper Tree (2019)—Emily Steiner." Journal of Amish and Plain Anabaptist Studies 12(1-2):107-109.