Friday, July 17, 2015

Review: Christian Biographies for Young Readers Marie Durand by:Simonetta Carr

Marie Durand
About the Book:
In 1730, nineteen-year-old Marie Durand was arrested and taken from her home in a village in Southern France for the crime of having a brother who was a Protestant preacher. Imprisoned in the Tower of Constance, Marie would spend the next thirty-eight years there. Simonetta Carr introduces us to the inspiring life of a woman who could have recanted her Protestant faith and gained release, but held fast to the truth and encouraged others to do so as well. Beautiful illustrations, a simply told story, and interesting facts acquaint young readers with the challenges facing Protestants in eighteenth-century France and show them that even a life spent in prison can be lived in service to Christ and others.

My Review:
 Living for God is as hard to do today but I don't think it is as hard as it was for our ancestors. Their life may be at stake, but now we leave in a free country. And while in the future sometimes it seems at risk, we can praise Him, live for Him, and tell others about Him until that day comes. I had never heard of Marie Durand until I reviewed this book. Written by a very well researched author, she shares with us the horrible conditions that Marie Durand as well as other prisoners had to live under. 

 Subjected to the weather, with only bread and water to eat and drink these prisoners during more cheerful times would share the word of God with each other. And while this gave them some encouragement, they were all still longing for home. Many times during their imprisonment they were told that they were going to be released only for something to happen and it to fall through.

 After Marie's sentence was over, she was released but her life was still very difficult. Many people in her very own family took advantage of her. She also was in poor health as a result of her stay in prison. She lived until she was 65 years old. Marie taught others how to trust in God even in the worst of circumstances.

 The author has written a very well researched biography perfect for young readers. The author has included a ti,e line, and a pronunciation key as well. There is still more to this very intriguing book. You can learn a lot from the biography itself but there is also some facts placed in the back of the book. My favorite piece of literature from the book is a copy of a hand written letter from Marie, to her niece Anne. Her handwriting was beautiful. Her words of encouragement even in the midst of her own suffering is a true testament to how she lived her life. This was a magnificent story!!

**Disclosure** This book was sent to me free of charge for my honest review from Cross Focused Reviews.

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