Behind Blue Curtains

A True Crime Memoir of an Amish Woman's Survival, Escape, and Pursuit of Justice

By: Lizzy Hershberger, M. Maeve Eagan

Narrated by: Virtual Voice

When Lizzy Hershberger turns fourteen, her schooling ends at eighth grade, and she has no choice but to leave home to work as an unpaid maid for another family. To avoid being rejected by her ultra-conservative Swartzentruber Amish family and community, Lizzy is forced to abandon her dreams because they are “too worldly.” After being raped by an Amish deacon over two dozen times, Lizzy makes her first attempt at “jumping the fence” to pursue a non-Amish lifestyle. But without any modern life experience or education, Lizzy must decide whether the risks of this unpredictable and dangerous world are worth losing the ties to her Amish friends and family forever. Almost thirty years later, after she has created a new life for herself, her small community is rocked by disturbing sexual assault allegations. Lizzy must decide whether to keep silent for her newly-created family’s sake or come forward against the church to advocate for the Amish children she left behind. In 2019, Lizzy Hershberger successfully brought her abuser to justice in an extraordinarily rare case addressing sexual abuse in the Amish church. She faced death threats and intense pressure to stop telling her story. Lizzy refused to back down, and she forged ahead to spark a national movement bringing awareness to the prevalence of sexual assault in isolated communities protected by religious liberties. This gripping true crime memoir reveals the truth behind one of America’s most revered and secretive religious sects—hidden behind the blue curtains of the Amish lifestyle.

Eye opening account of a closed society

The writing is very good. The story is heart wrenching and exposes the abuse behind the curtain. Tragic account of an Amish girl turned triumphant brave woman who loves the truth.

Stunning and disturbing

This is a shocking true account of "acceptable" behavior in the Amish community and if it can happen there, it certainly happens everywhere. This is not a one-off story and I fear it happens commonly, especially in communities where women are subservient. This book is disturbing in that it details how children suffer in silence and how something has to be done to protect the innocence of these girls. It is frustrating that this all goes on and the rapists are protected by the church, somehow blaming God for the actions of pedophiles.

While I am not typically a fan of virtual voice, it was tolerable for the most part. I am sure some of the words were mispronounced but the story is so compelling that it is not a reason to skip this read.

Leave, go back, leave , go back???

I struggle with the long term of this when author was removed from situation but went back again and again

No more AI voices

AI performance was awful. The book is incredible and I love the story, but the AI voice ruined it. It don’t do the book justice.

AMISH MEN, ASK FOR FORGIVENESS!

Even though the voice was AI, I enjoyed the narration. it was soothing and comforting. It probably wouldn't work for a crime novel with murder and mayhem, and such, but it was very believable as an Amish woman.

Not a fan of AI narration

This true exposure of what goes on in the Amish community is quite the eye opener! Well written, no holds barred exposé that needed to be told. The narration however, was stiff and mechanical due to the use of technically generated voice. Pronunciations were stiff and awkward, with strange pauses in places.

Riviting. Heartbreaking yet inspiring story of resilience.

Loved the story although heartbreaking. This woman has a strong story to tell and it’s gut wrenching . You will be inspired by hr resilience.

Hard to listen to AI voice and still concentrate on the book.

Love the content and writing style, but I would have enjoyed the book more if it was read by a human.

Good

I have so many questions as I feel like some stuff was left out, but overall good book

Compelling, Author’s bravery is inspiring

Despite the automated voice, I was moved by this story and appreciate the awareness I have gained on the Amish community (good and bad). I have been motivated to seek out other survivor stories and to spread awareness after hearing the authors story.