Books like Forgiven: The Amish School Shooting, a Mother's Love, and a Story of Remarkable Grace

I happened upon this book at the library and snatched it up with hopes of learning a little more about the Amish school shooting that took place in 2006 and the Amish culture. When I sat down to read it, only then did I realize that the author was Terri Roberts, the mother of the man who committed these horrendous acts.On October 2, 2006 Charlie Roberts walked into an Amish schoolhouse in Nickel Mines, Pennsylvania and killed five girls, injured five other girls, and then killed himself. The act was planned, and the perpetrator even left a letter behind for his family.In Forgiven, Terri Roberts recounts her childhood and her life as a mother and wife. She tells of raising her children in the Church with close extended family in the idyllic setting of the Pennsylvania countryside. Terri struggles to understand why her son chose such a dark path. She is conflicted by her feelings of love for her son and the anger she harbors over the pain he caused so many innocent people including his own family. She struggles to reconcile the image of the loving son she raised and that of a man capable of such a heinous crime. One thing that never waivers is Mrs. Roberts' faith.I read read with the hope of finding out WHY Charlie Roberts chose to do what he did, but there really wasn't any concrete answer to why this husband and father himself did this. I ultimately came to the conclusion that a seemingly normal Charlie was dealing with some darkness and mental instability not apparent to the people who thought they knew him best. The insight into the Amish culture was such a redeeming part of this story. Not only were the parents and relatives of the victims able to forgive the man who committed these atrocities, they showed genuine sympathy for his family. The Roberts and their Amish neighbors were able to form a true and lasting friendship. This truly left me in awe.Memorable quote:"Forgiveness is a choice not a feeling."