Story of a Soul: The Autobiography of St. Therese of Lisieux (the Little Flower) [The Authorized English Translation of Therese's Original Unaltered Manuscripts] Paperback – January 19, 1996

"Story of a Soul" is a wonderful book I've read several times and will often turn to again in future. And I dont practice any formal religion! There's absolutely no need to think this book or its author are restricted to people of a single world view. I recall until college my only contact with Therese was viewing those insipid, smilie-face, touched-up pictures. She appeared just a mindless grin, not even fully human. No need to be concerned with her, I long believed. Then during grad school, while in the library killing time between classes I happened to find myself in the religion section. I pulled a book off the stacks (I know this sounds cornie but it's the truth) and idly thumbed-through the pages. That book turned out to be "Story of a Soul." It took me little time to be both fascinated by Therese and to develop a love for her and all she represents. She provides a deep, encouraging, meaningful message to any man or woman who wishes to make this world a better place, who wishes to give significance to his or her existence. Dont we all hope for these two things? Since that time, I've also purchased the two volumes of her letters and the biography by Guy Gaucher. I'm going to try and read her poetry in the original because I'm not sure if French verse translates accurately into English. I believe her plays have been published and I'd love to read them as well. Therese is clearly a lot more than a smilie-face.I particularly enjoyed the part of the book dealing with her childhood. We all come from somewhere. Despite scanty formal education and minimal knowledge of secular world literature, Therese possesses a fine, clear, and very moving narrative style. If largely "untrained," or "unschooled," this "amateur" is a first rate author and her work excellent literature. It should even be attractive for people who are not of a "spiritual" disposition. Various episodes come to mind. One, describes her reaction to hearing thunder travel across the land, feeling she is at once small but at the same moment part of a far larger whole. Another incident, involves a sunset as she sits on the beach with Pauline (later Mother Agnes) That part touched me so much that I sought the place out last time I was in France. Finally, I do so enjoy the way this seemingly "small" and "weak" girl was so determined to accomplish what she thought was right, and reading how she succeeded in her quest!Whether conscious or not, Therese makes pointed-comments about a number of major societal issues outside religion: political, historical, cultural. She makes insightful judgments about aspects of life one does not expect a secluded nun dying at 24 wwould ever consider. In the account of her trip to Rome, for instance, she even, conscious or not, comments on what later became known as "Women's Rights." If supposedly trying to escape "the world," Therese offers much valuable advice to those who are still "in the world."I recommend this finely written, touching book to anyone. I'm a disciple of the French philosopher Simone Weil. If the two women's lives were not precisely the same, they were not totally different either. I'm sure anyone else who has been influeced by the works, life and thought of Simone Weil, should find "Story of a Soul" of much interest as well.

Helps understand more deeply about the life of St. Therese Martin Guérin.

Some years ago (1997), my late husband bought this book for me because I love The Little Flower and it was the 100th anniversary of her death.I enjoyed the ease in which the autobiography was translated and I simply couldn't put the book down. Unfortunately I misplaced or lost my copy.This year, I decided to obtain another copy. Once again, I am enjoying reading Thérèse's life in the Carmel and her spiritual struggles and triumphs.I recommend this book for anyone wanting to go deeper into their spiritual life or to give it a needed boost.

Story of a Soul: The Autobiography of St. Therese of Lisieux ENGLISH Translation by ICS Publications , because the original is in FRENCH ! :-) Great Spiritual book for all us English speakers. Thank you for the translation.

My life is at such a remove from Saint Therese de Liseaux. I bought this book simply because I couldn't get it out of my mind. I'm a retired American guy. I've read a fair amount of French history, writing and the like; and perhaps, like some of you, I have had an uncanny attraction, something approaching a bond in the Spirit, with a much earlier heroine and Saint in French history, Iehanne d'Domremy d'Arcy - Joan of Arc. This happened when I was three years old - 64 years ago. I feel that she is with me still. This may not make much sense to many of you, especially as I am not a Roman Catholic and it would take an extraordinary generosity to describe me as a Christian. Nevertheless, over the sturdy decades which have flowed under the bridge, I've met a few others who are so deeply affected by La Pucelle that oftentimes, we break into uncontrollable sobs whenever we give more than a passing thought to her. Joan, like her Master, calls whom she will; and having read this peculiar but exquisitely lovely story, I can see her in hand guiding me to buy it and to read it. Dismiss these words as the fancy of a deluded old man if you will, the opinions of others matter not. But if you have a thirst for knowing what a Saint is like from the inside out, you'll find out in the reading of this book.Again, here in America I am at a far remove from the world of Therese and her world and time. My children grew into adults without and with my guidance, like many American kids, they did more to raise themselves than either their mother or I ever did, and they did a good job, too. Now at the door to middle age, they are, metaphorically speaking, somewhat past that mid-life point that Dante Alighieri described in the first Canto of the 'Inferno' as being "hopelessly lost in a dark wood;" they have their Virgils, as I had mine. But the very idea that either of them would grow up hoping that God would call them into a cloistered life is perhaps the most alien of things about 19th century France. Yet that is the very thing that Therese describes, and describes with an artless simplicity and beauty which made me forget that she was often quoting the Bible, Saint John of the Cross, the Imitation of Christ and other standards of monastic writers. I suppose that it's my good fortune that over the years I have read these works as well. But I hasten to add, that such a reading background as mine is not needed to appreciate her; indeed, in some it might prove a hindrance to seeing her as she shows herself. What is it that I see, then? I see that Therese loved God; and since I am in no position to dispute it, it's evident that God loved her in return.But as I read through the book, there were two photographs on page 44 which made my heart stand still: There is little Therese, dressed in a much earlier period's clothing; at her left, a shield which plainly bears La Pucelle's Fleur-des-Lys; for Saint Therese of Liseaux portrayed Joan in a play which the novices had put on. Think what you will of me. But I see in La Petite Fleur a sister in the entourage of Iehannette, and I have little doubt that we shall meet someday and laugh about all of the divisions of religion that exist here. In hoc signo tansit.

This was translated from the original French manuscript by a Carmelite Friar; so if you want the true voice of St. Therese of Liseux, her life story and where her doctrine of "spiritual childhood" was born and what led her into Carmel...it's a nicely written book. I think you must truly be interested in Carmelite Spirituality and St. Therese for it to be meaningful.

I did not buy this book for me, it was a gift. The person who received it absolutely loved it. She said it was very uplifting and easy to understand. So I’m basing this review on her opinion and what she told me.

Love the sincerity of St Therese.

I didn't know anything about St. Therese of Liseaux. Through this intimidate letter formed as a diary I truly felt her true devotion to Jesus. She made me feel so connected to her through her words and if I'm honest I milked finishing it because it was so good. When I was done I reread it. 10/10 would recommend.

Due to the visit, to Great Britain in Oct09, of St. Therese of Lisieux relics I wanted to know more about her and so I bought this book.To be honest I thought this book was superb. It was well written and directly translated from her original writings. There were also a few photos which helped bring the book to life as well as information about her family, births and deaths etc, as well as a chronology of her life containing dates and important events.I read the book within 2 weeks of receiving it and was truly enlighted by it. I now want to go and visit the Carmel in Lisieux as well as her Basilica.Her family life was truly blessed and provides a lesson to us all, in today's world, on the way to live life.I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn more about this great modern day saint.

Beautiful book about the life of a special Saint.

A most excellent Read from the pen and the pensil which the teaching of Blessed Saint Therese Little Way to acheive the Kingdom Of Heaven. For anyone and everyone no matter what you do. Who you are or where you are going in Life. Read this and take it all in and it will change your whole outlook on life and acheive for you the impossible dream

One of the best Christian spiritual books I have ever read. Christian spirituality is in essence a response to God's love already poured out to us in Christ Jesus. St Therese captures it excellently in the book.