Behind Blue Curtains Audiobook By Lizzy Hershberger, M. Maeve Eagan cover art

Behind Blue Curtains

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

Virtual Voice Sample

Try for $0.00
Access a growing selection of included Audible Originals, audiobooks, and podcasts.
You will get an email reminder before your trial ends.
Audible Plus auto-renews for $7.95/mo after 30 days. Upgrade or cancel anytime.

Behind Blue Curtains

By: Lizzy Hershberger, M. Maeve Eagan
Narrated by: Virtual Voice
Try for $0.00

$7.95 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $14.99

Buy for $14.99

Confirm purchase
Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.
Cancel

This title uses virtual voice narration

Virtual voice is computer-generated narration for audiobooks.

About this listen

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. True Crime Women Amish
activate_Holiday_promo_in_buybox_DT_T2

What listeners say about Behind Blue Curtains

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    46
  • 4 Stars
    14
  • 3 Stars
    9
  • 2 Stars
    2
  • 1 Stars
    1
Performance
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    38
  • 4 Stars
    14
  • 3 Stars
    6
  • 2 Stars
    3
  • 1 Stars
    10
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    55
  • 4 Stars
    7
  • 3 Stars
    4
  • 2 Stars
    3
  • 1 Stars
    2

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

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.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

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.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

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

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

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.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

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.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

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.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

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.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

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.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Good

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

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

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.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!