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Meeting Miss Irby
In 1855, a wealthy 24-year-old English woman, Adeline Paulina Irby, left her London home to search for her purpose in life. By a strange turn of events, she ended up in Sarajevo where she stayed and became a national hero. In 1999, an average 22-year-old man left his home in the United States to live in the Balkans for a year. There-in the most unlikely city on the other side of the world-he not only found another Irby, but also a purpose for his life. This creative memoir reveals that extraordinary things happen when ordinary people search for meaning and, instead, discover love.
272 pages, Paperback
First published April 2, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
August 15, 2014
A delightful surprise, and beautifully written. I can imagine it appealing in multiple cultures and by people of widely diverse religious perspectives. I loved the cycling back and forth between Miss Irby's story and the author's story of getting to know her a hundred years after her life. Not only could we catch the depth of Miss Irby's love for the country with its diverse ethnicities, but the author's love for the same people grows through the tale. The author presented the faith of Miss Irby in a way that meshed seamlessly with his own, and in a way that is clearly biblical without being confrontational or offensive. This couldn't have been a more interesting "love story" if it were fiction.
January 15, 2023
After visiting Sarajevo, I was able to read this book. I relish the memories I made there and the lessons learned about the People. I'm grateful for the writing of this woman's story and the heritage of work done by her, the author and all who honor God in the work.
June 19, 2022
The story itself is beautiful and intriguing, but the storytelling didn’t keep me very captivated
August 7, 2013
I was offered a digital copy of "Meeting Miss Irby" in exchange for an honest review. Little did I know what a blessing awaited me!
"Meeting Miss Irby" is one of the most enjoyable and personable non-fiction books I have ever read. The book is very well written. It caught my attention from the very start and held it beyond the end. I was still thinking about Miss Irby days later.
It isn't often that I find myself able to relate to a character in a book so easily as I was able to relate to Miss Irby. And the best part is that she wasn't just a character, she was a real person who set an amazing example. Her two companions, Georgina and Priscilla, were also each an encouragement and inspiration in their own way. The author's addition of parts of his own story and his search for more information about Miss Irby deepens the message of the book and adds a personal aspect that brings the meaning of Adeline's life into today's world.
The ideas presented are very important. We live in a world where needs are seen, hearts are stirred, but feet and hands rarely move. Miss Irby's example of simply loving and living that love - without respect of persons - is needed.
Miss Irby's life has had a profound impact upon my own. I have already recommended this book to many others, knowing that, when read with an open heart, it will do the same for them.
"Meeting Miss Irby" is one of the most enjoyable and personable non-fiction books I have ever read. The book is very well written. It caught my attention from the very start and held it beyond the end. I was still thinking about Miss Irby days later.
It isn't often that I find myself able to relate to a character in a book so easily as I was able to relate to Miss Irby. And the best part is that she wasn't just a character, she was a real person who set an amazing example. Her two companions, Georgina and Priscilla, were also each an encouragement and inspiration in their own way. The author's addition of parts of his own story and his search for more information about Miss Irby deepens the message of the book and adds a personal aspect that brings the meaning of Adeline's life into today's world.
The ideas presented are very important. We live in a world where needs are seen, hearts are stirred, but feet and hands rarely move. Miss Irby's example of simply loving and living that love - without respect of persons - is needed.
Miss Irby's life has had a profound impact upon my own. I have already recommended this book to many others, knowing that, when read with an open heart, it will do the same for them.
August 21, 2013
An amazing true story about a woman who lived a life of breadth and depth that few can ever hope to achieve. Joshua Irby does an amazing job of teaching us the background knowledge necessary to understand the full extent of Miss Adelaide Irby's work. The educational aspect of the novel is a wonderful way to round out this novel and to honor Miss Irby herself.
She truly lived her life for others and so many others of us pale in comparison. And Joshua Irby lets us know that he is right with us in the feeling of inadequacy and the challenge to do more. The openness with which he tells us his journey is a vital part of making this book into more than just a simple biography or inspirational story. It becomes a how to manual for making your life more than just yours.
She truly lived her life for others and so many others of us pale in comparison. And Joshua Irby lets us know that he is right with us in the feeling of inadequacy and the challenge to do more. The openness with which he tells us his journey is a vital part of making this book into more than just a simple biography or inspirational story. It becomes a how to manual for making your life more than just yours.
August 9, 2013
I learned a lot about the Baltic!
July 30, 2015
An excellent memoir spanning history, beautiful story.
July 1, 2016
Very well written and an excellent story of one woman's willingness to be a good neighbor. I think I had tears in my eyes at the end of four or five chapters. I want to be like Miss Irby!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews