The novel in serial form was once very popular in newspapers and magazines. With the decline of the popularity of magazines and newspapers as the sole source of written news and entertainment, magazines and newspapers have cut back on their issue size, mostly eliminating the serial novel. It’s a different format than a full book – kind of like the difference between a sitcom or weekly drama and a full length theatrical movie.
Well-known Christian fiction author Wanda Brunstetter’s latest book is published in serial format. Like her other books, the setting is Amish country in Pennsylvania but in the modern day. Called “The Discovery – a Lancaster County Saga,” book one of the series is titled Goodbye to Yesterday and follows a newly married couple, Luke and Meredith Stoltzfus. Luke looses his job at a furniture store in Lancaster County, and is forced to look for work elsewhere. When his uncle in Indiana offers Luke a job, he decides to take it. But this means leaving Meredith at home. While the story chronicles the everyday life and faith of Meredith at home, on the road Luke experiences more of life that he’s ever seen, with some tragedy along the way. Luke makes it only from the farm into Philadelphia before the first crisis of his journey happens.
Because this is just part one in the saga, the story ends on a cliffhanger. The book is narrow and only has 120 pages, so there’s not much time for the author to get the story going before the end of the book cuts off the action. While the ending is advertised as a cliffhanger (and it is!) it is more of a chapter-ending cliffhanger, instead of a book ending cliffhanger. With the end of the series set to be published in July, the library should be able to satisfy any curiosity about the story line this summer.
You can get the book reviewed here and more great titles to watch, read, listen to, or play with at the Port Library at 1718 N. Hersey in Beloit, on the North Campus. Just come down the drive and look for the old limestone and wood sign, close to the ground. This is director Rachel Malay, saying “Thanks for checking us out!”