Home Feed
Home
Search
Search
Add Review, Blurb, Quote
Add
Activity
Activity
Profile
Profile
When the English Fall
When the English Fall | David Williams
A riveting and unexpected novel that questions whether a peaceful and nonviolent community can survive when civilization falls apart. When a catastrophic solar storm brings about the collapse of modern civilization, an Amish community in Pennsylvania is caught up in the devastating aftermath. Once-bright skies are now dark. Planes have plummeted to the ground. The systems of modern life have crumbled. With their stocked larders and stores of supplies, the Amish are unaffected at first. But as the English (the Amish name for all non-Amish people) become more and more desperate, they begin to invade Amish farms, taking whatever they want and unleashing unthinkable violence on the peaceable community. Seen through the diary of an Amish farmer named Jacob as he tries to protect his family and his way of life, When the English Fall examines the idea of peace in the face of deadly chaos: Should members of a nonviolent society defy their beliefs and take up arms to defend themselves? And if they don t, can they survive? David Williams s debut novel is a thoroughly engrossing look into the closed world of the Amish, as well as a thought-provoking examination of civilization and what remains if the center cannot hold. "
Amazon Indiebound Barnes and Noble WorldCat Goodreads LibraryThing
Pick icon
100%
blurb
JenDR
When the English Fall | David Williams
post image

Did I actually get any cleaning or errands done today? No. I did not. Did I spend the whole day reading this book? Yes, yes - I did. Will I be behind on chores for the week? Yes, yes - I will. Do I have any regrets? Nope, not a one. A day well spent.

review
callison
When the English Fall | David Williams
post image
Pickpick

My first post. :) After a solar storm causes the collapse of civilization, an Amish community must decide how to respond. I appreciated the main character's humble faith and the quiet narration of tumultuous events. Another one day read for me. #apocalyptic #shtf #apocalypticfiction #Amish #readinoneday #audible

review
hdhubbard
When the English Fall | David Williams
Pickpick

8/10 Worth reading, it's easy to get lost in this book.

Interesting insights into the Amish lifestyle, and what the end of the world would look like from their perspective. I will read this one again

review
shaynarae
When the English Fall | David Williams
post image
Pickpick

I want to like apocalyptic books, but they all seem to follow the same formula and rarely have a satisfying ending. This book, however, gets points for an original and interesting point of view. What happens when our American capitalist society and technology fails and the Amish hold resources for thriving? Can they remain peaceful as they‘re invaded?

Prairiegirl_reading I‘ve had this on my tbr for years! Dystopia isn‘t something I think I can handle right now though! 3y
shaynarae @Prairiegirl_reading Fair! This one did feel a bit too close to home 3y
25 likes3 stack adds2 comments
quote
oliviaweinkauf
When the English Fall | David Williams
post image

“It is hard to see who a person is, through all of those memories of who they were.”

blurb
CuriousG
When the English Fall | David Williams
post image

Trying to squeeze in a few minutes reading this while the hubby teaches a few more kiddos to fish - his skills may come in handy if society ever starts falling apart like in this novel! #survivalskills #doesreadingcountassurvival?

blurb
CuriousG
When the English Fall | David Williams
post image

Needed something both familiar and strange to finish off my summer reading before school starts. Figured this fits the bill. I live in an area that has many Amish and Old Order Mennonite families, so that part should be familiar enough. Fingers crossed that I find it interesting and not just packed with stereotypes! 🤞

review
comics_librarian
When the English Fall | David Williams
post image
Pickpick

An Amish book for the rest of us, this debut novel‘s mesmeric narration will engross you in a post-Apocalyptic world that manages to evoke a sense of hope and optimism in humanity.

5 likes1 stack add
blurb
VanChocStrawberry
When the English Fall | David Williams
post image

@Amanda61 @leslieseidel @BridgetteM These are books I‘m considering. What do you all think? #lmpbc

BridgetteM Oooo... The Namesake and Today Will Be Different are both popping out at me. Great selections! 6y
leslieseidel That's so funny. I just checked out the four of them and came to the same conclusion as @BridgetteM 😉 6y
Amanda61 The Namesake and Unaccustomed Earth both look really good to me 🙂 6y
See All 9 Comments
VanChocStrawberry Ladies, life has gotten the better of me. I haven‘t finished my book yet, but I willASAP. I‘ve got the next one ready! 6y
Amanda61 @VanChocStrawberry Not a problem! It happens. Which book did you end up picking? 6y
VanChocStrawberry The Namesake. It‘s really really good so far! 6y
BridgetteM @VanChocStrawberry I‘m so excited you chose The Namesake! I read Interpreter of Maladies a few years ago and loved it. I have been meaning to read more Lahiri ever since. 6y
leslieseidel I am excited to read this one too!! 6y
19 likes9 comments
blurb
TheWordJar
When the English Fall | David Williams
post image

Soccer season started. I do love practices. An hour and a half with nothing to do but read! (And check Litsy!)

review
Court7
When the English Fall | David Williams
post image
Mehso-so

An amazing premise that I thought did not quite live up to its potential.

blurb
umbrellagirl
When the English Fall | David Williams
post image

#whatchareadingwednesday

When the English Fall by David Williams

Lovesbooks87 Very powerful read! 6y
See All 17 Comments
rubyslippersreads Before my 99¢ Kindle Unlimited trial runs out, 6y
MissAimz_55 I'm reading The Hate U Give. Also House at Riverton. I'm also listening toThe Nightingale. 6y
umbrellagirl @kricheal Sounds good! I loved Fried Green Tomatoes. 6y
umbrellagirl @Lovesbooks87 I‘ll have to look for this one. 6y
umbrellagirl @JoScho That‘s on my TBR. I liked the Haunting of Maddy Clare. 6y
umbrellagirl @Chellebearss That sounds intriguing. Are you enjoying it? 6y
kricheal @Lovesbooks87 I've been wanting to read that forever. 6y
umbrellagirl @MissAimz_55 I enjoyed the House at Riverton 6y
JoScho @umbrellagirl oh I don‘t know that one. Will check it out 😊 6y
68 likes17 comments
review
heikemarie
When the English Fall | David Williams
post image
Mehso-so

At times this read like an ad for being Amish. It was touching in ways, though some plot devices were 🤷‍♀️.

A flight delay “gifted” me time to finish it. Now to read The Essex Serpent!

blurb
heikemarie
When the English Fall | David Williams
post image

My work is disbanded for now - I am grateful for the space to work through my call to help with anti- racist work. I am reading, enjoying some Denver sunshine and some German beers. A winning combo in my book :) #booknlunch #booksandbrews #beersandbooks

blurb
The.Intentional.Reader
When the English Fall | David Williams
post image

So far really good. A memoir about what would happen if a solar flare fried everything electronic on Earth. What would be the aftermath?

TobeyTheScavengerMonk I‘m intrigued. 6y
Dianeham I really liked this book. 6y
17 likes5 stack adds2 comments
review
Coleen
When the English Fall | David Williams
post image
Pickpick

I‘m surprised by the lukewarm Litsy reviews on this one. This was a book club pick & I was unfamiliar with both the author & title, but I really enjoyed it — much more than I had expected to. The world suffers a solar storm event and dystopian chaos ensues, but the story is told from inside an Amish community, through diary entries of one of the community‘s members, & examines how the Amish choose to deal with an emerging martial law-type world.

Alfoster Sounds interesting!😍 6y
rubyslippersreads This sounds intriguing. 6y
Lcsmcat Sounds interesting. 6y
36 likes1 stack add3 comments
review
JenlovesJT47
When the English Fall | David Williams
post image
Mehso-so

On the one hand, I found certain aspects of this book very compelling. It really makes you think about how easy it would be for stuff like this to happen. The basic premise is that after a solar storm changes the world as we know it, the story is told of what happens afterward through the journal entries of an Amish man. The Amish are better equipped to handle life without power and easy access to food due to farming and planning ahead. TBC 👇🏻

JenlovesJT47 What happens when the "English" (any non Amish person) are starving and people don't follow the rules anymore? The Amish and their simple way of life is threatened when people become violent and try to steal their food. This was such a great premise for a dystopian novel, but it fell a little short in the storytelling aspect. Jacob (who wrote the journal) is a sweetheart, but most of the story is told in such a boring fashion. Still, ?? 6y
JenlovesJT47 This is a quick read and worth it if you are interested in the Amish at all, or in dystopian settings. 3.5⭐️ #Amish #dystopian #catsoflitsy #Marnie 6y
CouronneDhiver I‘m sorry to hear is was a little disappointing - sounds like a premise I would love! 6y
See All 6 Comments
JenlovesJT47 @CouronneDhiver it wasn't bad at all, just a lot of missed opportunities in my opinion. And the ending was kind of abrupt. But I'd still recommend it if you are at all interested in the Amish and/or dystopian novels. ☺️ 6y
Kappadeemom Look at that sweet baby 😻 6y
JenlovesJT47 @Kappadeemom Marnie says hi! 😻❤️ 6y
108 likes2 stack adds6 comments
review
annkuch13
When the English Fall | David Williams
post image
Mehso-so

This was a good introspective look at an apocalyptic story. It was interesting to read about an end of civilization story from a perspective of a community that it didn't immediately effect.

blurb
annkuch13
When the English Fall | David Williams
post image

I'm having a wild Friday night with this floof.
#catsoflitsy

Erika13137 So fluffy! 6y
BookBabe 😻 6y
43 likes2 comments
review
UrsulaMonarch
When the English Fall | David Williams
Bailedbailed

I love the premise of this book SO MUCH - technological collapse destroys society, what happens to the Amish in this evolving dystopia? - but I can't listen to the narrator of this audiobook any more. In addition to his annoying voice for female characters (so often a problem for me with audiobooks!), he has a really strange "Amish " accent & the diary format is irritating in audio. I will have to pick this up again as a paper book.

UrsulaMonarch The audiobook is on #hoopla, but I don't recommend it! 6y
Reggie When technology fails, I would think they would have it going on. In every zombie short story that involves the Amish, they‘re pretty badass. 6y
UrsulaMonarch @Reggie zombie short stories involving the Amish?!? 😲Please recommend if you recall any!! 😃 6y
Reggie This is the one that comes to mind 🧟‍♂️... http://www.talesofworldwarz.com/stories/2008/10/20/rural-dead-by-bret-hammond/ 6y
UrsulaMonarch @Reggie THANKS! I wasn't aware of this website & it looks like I should be! 👍 6y
27 likes5 comments
blurb
annkuch13
When the English Fall | David Williams
post image

What better way to spend Valentine's eveninf than to read about the collapse of civilization?

review
suvata
When the English Fall | David Williams
post image
Pickpick

This book has a unique play on a common dystopian trope. A solar flare takes out all the power worldwide. Who has the best chance of surviving as winter approaches? The Amish, of course. Written as dairy entries that document the devastating aftermath. Worth the read.

60 likes4 stack adds
review
TK421
When the English Fall | David Williams
post image
Pickpick

I really enjoyed this book. It is written as a journal by an Amish farmer named Jacob. It chronicles his family's struggles as the world falls into chaos. It was a very interesting viewpoint to have in an almost dystopian novel. It was quite believable. It is a very quick and easy read that makes you think about how easy this could happen.
"Its like the world ended, but we're all still here."

60 likes2 stack adds
review
Moonpa
When the English Fall | David Williams
post image
Pickpick

A solar storm has dropped planes out of the sky, all electronics have stopped working and society quickly breaks down. Except for the Amish who struggle to retain their way of life in the new world of hunger and violence. Quick read.

44 likes1 stack add
blurb
readingallthetime
When the English Fall | David Williams
post image

Started last night.

5 likes2 stack adds
quote
readingallthetime
When the English Fall | David Williams
post image

A blurb- “A standout among post apocalyptic novels , as simple and perfectly crafted as an Amish quilt or table”. This caught my eye today.

blurb
quietjenn
When the English Fall | David Williams
post image

Giving myself the weekend to get through my library stack. I have so many books that I've bought it recieved to get to ...

BeckyLeJ I loved this one! 6y
quietjenn @BeckyLeJ oh, I'm glad to hear that. It's definitely pulled me in. 6y
34 likes1 stack add2 comments
review
Rachellynnwright
When the English Fall | David Williams
post image
Mehso-so

Read this today, in one go. Not as exciting as I thought it would be.. it‘s slow, quiet, and contemplative. An interesting idea for a story and would make a great movie. The writing and dialogue wasn‘t perfect, but overall this was a good book for an afternoon in front of a cozy fire.

blurb
BarbaraTheBibliophage
When the English Fall | David Williams
post image

Next up on my afternoon reading list. Plus probably a nap. I overdid it yesterday, and need mucho recovery downtime. And Mr. B's excellent tuna salad on GF bread. #lunchandabook #bookthenanap #recoveringwell #happybibliophage

LauraBrook Looks great! I've had a lot of problems finding a decent GF bread that doesn't rip my mouth up - toasted or untoasted. What do you recommend? 6y
BarbaraTheBibliophage @LauraBrook This loaf was a new brand for me, and I like it a lot. It doesn't fall apart and it's not dry as a bone (like Udi's). It's Three Bakers brand, Seven Ancient Grains flavor. 😘 6y
LauraBrook @BarbaraTheBibliophage Thanks, I'll look for a loaf of that! And yes Udi's is incredibly dry. I don't know who can eat it, but apparently people can bc I see it all over the place! 6y
112 likes4 stack adds3 comments
blurb
AMVP
When the English Fall | David Williams
post image

#catchingup on #awesomeautumnbooks #day17 & #fallintobooks #day22 - #falltitles / #fallreads

An interesting looking title that I hadn't heard of until now. Chronicles the fall of technological society from the perspective of a secluded Amish village.

review
Pasaal
When the English Fall | David Williams
Pickpick

What happens to an Amish family and community when a celestial storm destroys almost all power sources on Earth. They are well positioned to survive and thrive, but they find they're still part of the larger community and human race, with all the challenges that entails. It was wonderful to read a story about one man's spiritual dilemma in a meditative and illuminating way. I really enjoyed this different take on an apocalyptic story.

blurb
Kimbono
When the English Fall | David Williams
post image

We're enjoying the slow pace and beautiful writing on this lazy Sunday morning. #easylikesundaymorning

Tanzy13 🐱 7y
10 likes1 stack add1 comment
review
Suetara
When the English Fall | David Williams
post image
Pickpick

This is the apocalypse novel that I didn't know I wanted, one told from an Amish farmer's point of view. It's quiet, lovely and horrible in turns and I could not put it down.

tricours How intriguing! 7y
29 likes3 stack adds1 comment
review
KikiLovesBooks
When the English Fall | David Williams
Pickpick

I'm still processing this book. There were things I loved about it. I wish some of the characters were a little more fleshed out. Interesting approach to the form as a left behind journal. The writing, or maybe more the voice of the main actor, Jay, often reminded me of Frederick Buechner. Definitely worth a read. Dystopian Amish fiction.

HeatherBookNerd I did not know there was such a thing as dystopian Amish fiction. 7y
KikiLovesBooks @HeatherBookNerd well here it is! This almost (almost...) feels like a Christian novel. But it was also very much of this world. Thoughtful. Not a super geeky sci-fi novel at all. More a comment on our dependency on technology and denial of climate change. It's good and a quick read. 7y
emtobiasz Oh, that's a super interesting premise. 7y
15 likes3 comments
blurb
SarahMillerBooks
When the English Fall | David Williams
post image

Scifi is not usually my thing. Post-apocalyptic lit is not usually my thing. UNTIL YOU ADD THE AMISH. This is giving me a subtle, persistent case of the willies and I am completely into it. #nozombies

9 likes1 stack add
review
mjdowens
When the English Fall | David Williams
Pickpick

Listened to this one as audio. Great story of survival.

24 likes1 stack add
review
Chelsea.Poole
When the English Fall | David Williams
post image
Pickpick

Diary entries from an Amish man after "the English" (non-Amish Americans) suffer a collapse of civilization as they know it. Tough lessons here. Makes me wonder how well my family and I would hold up if disaster fell. ? I think this one will stay with me for a while. The #audiobook was well done. And notice my visitor in the backyard! ?#hoopla

Jinjer Wow that sounds so good! Stacked! 7y
87 likes6 stack adds1 comment
blurb
Chelsea.Poole
When the English Fall | David Williams
post image

Listening while I eat kale and tomatoes straight from the garden!! 🍅🌿#eatandread #audiobook

Dolly Isn't that the best?! 7y
ReadingEnvy Yes nothing better than fresh garden meals!! 7y
mjdowens I am listening to this one also right now. Excellent story 7y
Chelsea.Poole @dolly @ReadingEnvy yes, summertime meals are the absolute best! @mjdowens I just started it and it's very different, in a good way! 7y
101 likes1 stack add4 comments
blurb
BarbaraTheBibliophage
When the English Fall | David Williams
post image

Thank you @Liberty - the boxes arrived today. It's so sweet of you to do all these giveaways for us. Thanks a million! 😘

Yeah_I_Read So exciting!! 7y
Liberty Holy cats! They told me it wouldn't be there until next Monday or Tuesday. 🎉 7y
BarbaraTheBibliophage @Liberty Wow - that's fast then. Works for me! 📚💕💕📚 7y
See All 8 Comments
kspenmoll Great win!!!! Enjoy- love the collage! 7y
BarbaraTheBibliophage @kspenmoll Thanks - I will! 7y
DebinHawaii Yay! Enjoy that lively stack! 🎉📚🎉 7y
LeahBergen 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 7y
BarbaraTheBibliophage @DebinHawaii @LeahBergen So many treats in there! 🤗 7y
114 likes8 comments
review
Titania
When the English Fall | David Williams
post image
Pickpick

A post-apocalyptic story told through diary entries written by an Amish man? It works! The world is in turmoil after a solar storm fries most of the world's electronics. Life as usual for the Amish...until the chaos and violence of the English world invades theirs.

review
FountainBookstore
When the English Fall | David Williams
post image
Pickpick

The author will be here next week. 8/3 in conversation with Hammett award winner Howard Owen.

This melancholy, post-apocalyptic book has a dream-like quality. The diary format gives it an intimacy lacking in other examples of the genre.

Jacob, our Amish narrator, struggles with his faith as he attempts to balance protecting his family with being a good servant of God. The book is short. The ending wide-open to speculation. I was ok with that.

FountainBookstore Obag photobomb. 7y
mellisarock Loved this book so much. Couldn't believe it only covered 2 months! 7y
MidnightBookGirl Thanks for loaning it to me! I'm bummed that I have to miss the author's event but at least I can read the book while I'm lounging on the beach! 7y
21 likes2 stack adds3 comments
blurb
Kimbono
When the English Fall | David Williams
post image

Mini City Lights book haul. I was not driving. My husband thought it was very funny to tap the breaks every time I tried to take the pic. 😲

Aluciddreamstate Hope you like When the English Fall. The cover is beautiful 😁 7y
Kimbono @Aluciddreamstate I hope so too! 7y
mellisarock @Aluciddreamstate @Kimbono I just read When The English Fall & loved it! Let me know what you think! 7y
11 likes3 comments
review
Aluciddreamstate
When the English Fall | David Williams
post image
Mehso-so

Meh 3/5⭐️
Quick read.
I was bored by the middle. Dystopian based novels really need a good niche. This had that since it was from the Amish perspective. I just didn't care for the book.

blurb
mellisarock
When the English Fall | David Williams
post image

Post apocalyptic Amish community trying to stay true to their values while the English fall around them. So good. Add it to your lists!
.
.
Just passed the 12 hour mark! 🤷🏻‍♀️😆😜
@24in48 #24in48 #24in48readathon #whentheenglishfall #amish #thrillers #bestbooksof2017 #youshouldread #tbr #books #bookish

librarygoddess619 sounds interesting...i grew up near Amish country in Ohio. I'll have to check this out! 7y
BarbaraTheBibliophage I'd like to read this too, since I live in Amish country. (Lancaster, PA) 7y
61 likes6 stack adds2 comments
blurb
FountainBookstore
When the English Fall | David Williams
post image

Because I'm already creeped out by this roadside motel I've been booked in (ahhhh....the romance of bookselling life), I thought I'd read something creepy to put me over the edge.

At least the sheets look clean.

25 likes2 stack adds
blurb
TheBookStacker
When the English Fall | David Williams
post image

After 3 days of driving and stops in Dallas and Albuquerque we have finally made it to Las Vegas! So sad to not be in New Orleans but very excited to start a new adventure. Also excited to finally have a moment to read before our furniture is delivered! Air mattress it is for us!

mjdowens Glad you made it there okay. Moving is so stressful. Good luck and hope you get some more reading in👍📚 7y
30 likes1 stack add1 comment
review
Marchpane
When the English Fall | David Williams
post image
Pickpick

A different take on the post-apocalyptic genre.

When a catastrophic event causes most technology to fail, violence & chaos soon follows, but for an Amish community life goes on much as before... at first. As the knock-on effects of the nightmare emerge, their commitment to pacifism is tested.

Simple prose in the form of one Amish man's journal entries adds to the meditative quality. It's short, maybe even too slight, but I found it lovely.

monkeygirlsmama I find this concept most interesting. Stacked! 7y
BeckyLeJ I absolutely loved this book! So glad to see other readers enjoying it as well! 7y
JenP Sounds interesting 7y
See All 6 Comments
Dragon I do love post apocalypse novels so stacked 👍 7y
valeriegeary Great review! I'm intrigued! 7y
AAmuses Intriguing review. Thanks. 7y
116 likes25 stack adds6 comments
quote
mellisarock
When the English Fall | David Williams
post image

Hello New Books 🙋🏻📦#bookmail #newbooks

charissharpe A List of Cages looks great! Added to my #tbr 7y
Eryn2513 I am so stoked to read When the English Fall! Post-apocalypse AND the Amish? Sign me up! 7y
mellisarock @Eryn2513 I know right?!? I'm working on Cell by Stephen King and I'm gonna try to find a fluffy why ya to put in between it and When the English Fall! 7y
Eryn2513 Hahaha, that's probably a good idea :-) 7y
44 likes3 stack adds4 comments
blurb
ChrisSmithIndy
When the English Fall | David Williams
post image

This debut novel looks really good! Looking forward to reading it soon.
@VanChocStrawberry ... this very different sort of Amish novel might be of interest?

VanChocStrawberry Catastrophic end of civilization from and Amish point of view?!? Sign me up!! 7y
ChrisSmithIndy @VanChocStrawberry HA! Knew this might be up your alley.... 🙂 7y
8 likes1 stack add2 comments
blurb
BethFishReads
When the English Fall | David Williams
post image

This week's round-up is for speculative fiction fans--dystopian, science fiction, fantasy. All books pub'ing in July. Descriptions on my blog or right here on Litsy. http://www.bethfishreads.com/2017/06/8-speculative-fiction-books-for-july.html?m...