First edition book is in great shape. tight and clean. No rips or markings. The paperback book The Thorn by Beverly Lewis is a work of Christian fiction and the first installment in The Rose Trilogy. Set in 1985 in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, the novel follows two Amish sisters, Rose and Hen Kauffman, whose lives are complicated by romance, faith, and family drama. Story overview Central characters: The story centers on the Kauffman sisters. The younger sister, Rose, is drawn to the bishop's rebellious foster son, Nick, despite being courted by a "good Amish fellow." Her older sister, Hen, who married an outsider, or "Englisher," is now separated from her modern husband and longs to return to her Plain roots. Main conflict: The central conflict revolves around the sisters' different choices and their struggle to find a place within or on the fringes of their strict Amish community. The narrative also includes mysteries, such as a secret held by the "English" widower Rose keeps house for. Thematic elements: The story explores the tension between tradition and the modern world, the bonds of family, faith, and forgiveness. Physical and publication details Format: The book is a trade paperback, a larger and more durable format than a standard mass-market paperback. Publisher: It was published by Bethany House Publishers in 2010. Country of origin: It was originally written in English and very likely manufactured in the United States. Audience: The book's target audience is adult Christian women who enjoy inspirational, wholesome fiction, particularly stories involving Amish culture.