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Paula, the Waldensian
I don't remember all. I would have liked to have kept the letter. It was such a letter that would help any one to die, for it was certainly a treasure. But my poor madame wished to carry it to the tomb with her, and no doubt it is there yet in her hands, poor little angel. As I remember it, the letter concluded thus: 'He that believeth on Me hath everlasting life, and him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out!'
Adapted and translated from the Spanish.
Adapted and translated from the Spanish.
175 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1899
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
April 23, 2016
Here's another I can hardly believe I never reviewed. Paula, orphaned, comes into a selfish, worldly French family and totally revolutionizes it by her faith and her witness. This story will break your heart and ignite your faith at the same time.
The Waldenses were a small sect who refused to join with the Catholic faith in the days before the Reformation. They were often persecuted, even feared for their beliefs. They might have had a quirk or two in their side theology, (such as standards of dress, etc) but the had the big things straight: salvation through faith alone. Some of their heritage can be traced through the Anabaptists and into modern groups such as Mennonites, Amish, Wesleyan Methodists, and Baptists.
The Waldenses were a small sect who refused to join with the Catholic faith in the days before the Reformation. They were often persecuted, even feared for their beliefs. They might have had a quirk or two in their side theology, (such as standards of dress, etc) but the had the big things straight: salvation through faith alone. Some of their heritage can be traced through the Anabaptists and into modern groups such as Mennonites, Amish, Wesleyan Methodists, and Baptists.
February 2, 2011
What a treasure to find. This book is a rarity in this day and age. I am having my daughters read it now, hoping that it will touch their hearts and minds with its sweetness, tenderness, honesty, and truth. I am so grateful to have stumbled upon it.
April 25, 2026
Number of pages: 191
Genre: Children’s fiction
Series: N/A
Age recommendation: 10-12
Summary: After the death of her father, Paula is sent away from the mountains where she grew up to live with her uncle and cousins. However, her uncle is not fond of Paula’s faith in God which she was taught by her father. Can Paula bring her uncle to the Lord?
My thoughts: This book has a lot of nostalgia for me, because I got it from my grandparents as a birthday gift and it was so much fun to reread all these years later!
I really enjoyed this book. I had read it years ago, in elementary school and found it kind of confusing (probably because I skimmed the book and missed parts), but it’s honestly not at all. The only thing I’d mention is it’s been translated from French into older English (i.e. uses thees and thous) so for younger children who aren’t used to that it might make it difficult to read or listen to.
I have to agree with my sister and cousin that the ending is unsatisfying.
I like how realistic the book is. I mean, Paula is a little abnormally good, but everyone else is pretty average with their good things and bad things that they do. I also like the contrast it brings out between people who are living to please God (because they belong to Him) and those who are living to please themselves. While it may be a little exaggerated (i.e. showing both extremes) I like how it shows the heart change and the change in purpose of people when they get saved: they have new desires.
I love Paula. She’s such a sweet girl and so kind to everyone. I think she’s a great role model for young girls to look up to.
Overall, this was a good book but the older language might require some help for younger readers.
My personal rating: 4/5 stars.
Link to blog: https://karinaschristianreads.wordpre...
Genre: Children’s fiction
Series: N/A
Age recommendation: 10-12
Summary: After the death of her father, Paula is sent away from the mountains where she grew up to live with her uncle and cousins. However, her uncle is not fond of Paula’s faith in God which she was taught by her father. Can Paula bring her uncle to the Lord?
My thoughts: This book has a lot of nostalgia for me, because I got it from my grandparents as a birthday gift and it was so much fun to reread all these years later!
I really enjoyed this book. I had read it years ago, in elementary school and found it kind of confusing (probably because I skimmed the book and missed parts), but it’s honestly not at all. The only thing I’d mention is it’s been translated from French into older English (i.e. uses thees and thous) so for younger children who aren’t used to that it might make it difficult to read or listen to.
I have to agree with my sister and cousin that the ending is unsatisfying.
I like how realistic the book is. I mean, Paula is a little abnormally good, but everyone else is pretty average with their good things and bad things that they do. I also like the contrast it brings out between people who are living to please God (because they belong to Him) and those who are living to please themselves. While it may be a little exaggerated (i.e. showing both extremes) I like how it shows the heart change and the change in purpose of people when they get saved: they have new desires.
I love Paula. She’s such a sweet girl and so kind to everyone. I think she’s a great role model for young girls to look up to.
Overall, this was a good book but the older language might require some help for younger readers.
My personal rating: 4/5 stars.
Link to blog: https://karinaschristianreads.wordpre...
January 18, 2024
I reread this book to fulfill the reading challenge “read a book that was first read aloud to you”. I have always loved the song, “In the Land of Fadeless Day” because of this book. I have this sweet feeling of awe surrounding that song because the first time I heard it was when my mother read this book to us as a child. Paula, the main character, sang that song to her dying cousin who was enthralled. My mother knew the song and sang it instead of just reading it. I thought it was so incredibly beautiful and have loved it since.
I thoroughly enjoyed this sweet, sweet story. At the end of the story when Paula died, the tears were rolling. It’s the sort of old-fashioned, delightful book that inspires me to be unselfish and to long to be more like Jesus.
I thoroughly enjoyed this sweet, sweet story. At the end of the story when Paula died, the tears were rolling. It’s the sort of old-fashioned, delightful book that inspires me to be unselfish and to long to be more like Jesus.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 22, 2026
Nice to read something like this occasionally. I don't recall downloading it or how it showed up. It is a christian devotional novel written in the early 1940's and set in, I'm guessing, the late nineteenth century since the setting is before automobiles. Paula is ten years old. Her parents, devout Waldensians, have both died. She then joins the family of her late Mom's sister who is also deceased. The family consists of three girls, a boy, a live in housekeeper and a Father. Her Christian witness and example transforms the family and neighbors. I would call it Christian Romanticism.
December 19, 2025
I assigned this book to my middle schoolers for our co-op, because it was suggested by the author of our history curriculum. What a WIN! This book is simple to read, not super long, but it is packed with so much goodness, it left me wanting to be a better person and praying for people who've hurt me. Paula is such a light and reflection of how we should all aim to live. I am going to do it as a read aloud for my other kids because I loved it so much.
January 13, 2021
Every young Christian girl (and older Christian ladies too) should read this! My mum gave this book to me when I was about 12 and it made huge impact on me. I still pick it up and read it just so I can be touched by the story of Paula.
November 4, 2022
What a sweet book this was! The story of a young Christian girl who moved in with some relatives who were not interested in religion and lovingly points them and the whole community to the Lord Jesus.
Gonna see if I can find a copy of this book for my siblings!
Gonna see if I can find a copy of this book for my siblings!
February 14, 2021
A classic story of a young life dedicated to Christ. It was a great reminder of what unhindered love looks like. The childlike faith that is not immature only pure.
June 11, 2025
Touching Truth-filled
Read aloud to my kids this book. What an amazing example of a story to have running in your head. Needed tissues at the end. Amazing book.
Read aloud to my kids this book. What an amazing example of a story to have running in your head. Needed tissues at the end. Amazing book.
August 4, 2026
A very good book, and interesting.
August 19, 2026
I read this book several times during my childhood, and recently re-read as an adult. It asks what it would look like if someone really, truly tried to imitate Jesus Christ in our world today--and how they would see poverty, sickness, and crime. In that, it succeeds marvelously.
Paula is an orphaned Waldensian girl, coming to live with her family in Rouen, France. The problem? Her uncle is hostile to religion, and Paula won't give hers up, despite her desire to respect her uncle. But Paula's giving, self-sacrificing, thoughtful nature starts making waves in Rouen, and the family has to re-examine their prejudice.
The bad: Like any historical work of fiction, it contains prejudice. And while the story endeavors to break down prejudices, it's a product of its time and the author's ideas for breaking down prejudice aren't necessarily what we'd appreciate today.
As a Christian work of fiction, there's also a bit of eternal-hell talk (which isn't biblical and shouldn't be a motivator) and a bit of overly forceful proselytization. Which is what you'd probably expect from a 1942 religious novel set in an ambiguously earlier time period.
From the perspective of a progressive Christian, the good solidly outweighs the bad. But some objectionable content remains that may be harmful, particularly to the younger readers this book was intended for. I do always look back at this book with fond memory, and overall it was quite good, and I would ultimately recommend even for older children or teens.
Paula is an orphaned Waldensian girl, coming to live with her family in Rouen, France. The problem? Her uncle is hostile to religion, and Paula won't give hers up, despite her desire to respect her uncle. But Paula's giving, self-sacrificing, thoughtful nature starts making waves in Rouen, and the family has to re-examine their prejudice.
The bad: Like any historical work of fiction, it contains prejudice. And while the story endeavors to break down prejudices, it's a product of its time and the author's ideas for breaking down prejudice aren't necessarily what we'd appreciate today.
As a Christian work of fiction, there's also a bit of eternal-hell talk (which isn't biblical and shouldn't be a motivator) and a bit of overly forceful proselytization. Which is what you'd probably expect from a 1942 religious novel set in an ambiguously earlier time period.
From the perspective of a progressive Christian, the good solidly outweighs the bad. But some objectionable content remains that may be harmful, particularly to the younger readers this book was intended for. I do always look back at this book with fond memory, and overall it was quite good, and I would ultimately recommend even for older children or teens.
March 28, 2011
"*Originally written in French; then adapted and translated from the Spanish version by W.M. Strong.(1940)
Paula was someone who loved God and loved her neighbors as herself.
A letter comes and it is decided that Paula (recently orphaned) will come to live with the family. The family consists of a father, two daughters and a son as well as their older servant. They are still in mourning over the loss of the wife and mother but Paula soon cheers them up! She brings joy and love into their family and over time, the father's heart is softened. Paula touches so many lives while shining "her light" for Jesus! :) She also brings several people to the Lord through-out the story.
Her sweet humble spirit is one that I admire very much.
I can honestly say that this book affected me in a way that no other book did this year. I was almost brought to tears more than once...
It convicted and gladdened my heart all at once!
Paula was someone who loved God and loved her neighbors as herself.
A letter comes and it is decided that Paula (recently orphaned) will come to live with the family. The family consists of a father, two daughters and a son as well as their older servant. They are still in mourning over the loss of the wife and mother but Paula soon cheers them up! She brings joy and love into their family and over time, the father's heart is softened. Paula touches so many lives while shining "her light" for Jesus! :) She also brings several people to the Lord through-out the story.
Her sweet humble spirit is one that I admire very much.
I can honestly say that this book affected me in a way that no other book did this year. I was almost brought to tears more than once...
It convicted and gladdened my heart all at once!
July 8, 2018
Beautiful Gospel Story
The story flows with such power and delight that it is hard to put down once begun. This edition contains some misspellings or typos. Not so much that it makes too much of a disruption. A couple of sentences read awkwardly, but for the most part it is a pleasure to read. It would be even better if there was an index to the Bible verses throughout. Either way it is most encouraging for a child of God to always be prepared to give an answer for the hope they have of salvation in the Lord Jesus Christ. We must always tell others of their need of the Saviour and of His great love toward us through the sacrifice of His cross where this blood was shed for all who repent and believe as they obey the Good Shepherd who came to save His sheep. May you too find rest in Him.
The story flows with such power and delight that it is hard to put down once begun. This edition contains some misspellings or typos. Not so much that it makes too much of a disruption. A couple of sentences read awkwardly, but for the most part it is a pleasure to read. It would be even better if there was an index to the Bible verses throughout. Either way it is most encouraging for a child of God to always be prepared to give an answer for the hope they have of salvation in the Lord Jesus Christ. We must always tell others of their need of the Saviour and of His great love toward us through the sacrifice of His cross where this blood was shed for all who repent and believe as they obey the Good Shepherd who came to save His sheep. May you too find rest in Him.
January 12, 2014
I really appreciate this story. Paula is an orphaned Waldensian girl that goes to live with her Uncle and his family. She's faithful and virtuous despite her Uncle's disdain for her faith. Through her years of kindness toward her new family she slowly wins them over. The story is a good introduction to the Waldensian faith. The one criticism is that Paula is perhaps a little too perfect for a child, somewhat reminiscent of Heidi. Overall, it's a very nice story.
January 27, 2016
4* A wholesome, inspiring book for children. Paula is such a perfect little Christian, some readers might even think the story is unrealistic. She is orphaned, comes to live with her cousins, and shows them the gospel message.
September 2, 2007
Read this book so many times as a child...amazing faith, amazing sacrifice, amazing love...
October 14, 2011
Good read
July 26, 2013
I sweet, sad story, but a light, gentle read. I find it hard to believe anyone could be that perfect, but it may well be my own stubborn, rebellious nature speaking
September 29, 2016
Beautiful story!!!
What a beautiful telling of a life lived for God! An example of a selfless life that it would do us all well to emulate. It touched my heart!
What a beautiful telling of a life lived for God! An example of a selfless life that it would do us all well to emulate. It touched my heart!
August 25, 2009
so Sad! yet the Amazing Faith of a child! awesome story!
July 4, 2012
This girl loves the gospel. Me too.
June 28, 2017
Good for Sunday family reading. very sweet.
December 29, 2017
i was re-reading this to see if i wanted to keep it. i prob won't keep it but it was a sweet little book about a young woman who lives out her faith in and love for God.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews