Kitty, My Rib: The Heartwarming Story of a Woman of Courage and Devotion

by E. Jane Mall

Katherine Luther or "Kitty" was the woman behind the great man Martin Luther. Kitty mellowed Luther's harsher side, kept the household from bankruptcy despite her husband's generosity and enhanced his life with the joys and fullness of family living.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Christian, History, Historical, Inspirational

176 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1959

Reviews

[Celeste · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was sitting on the shelves of our at-home library for years, literally collecting dust. The last time anyone had read it must've been when my mother and father read it together after getting married. Since then, I don't think that anyone's ever read it or, for that matter, taken it off the shelves. Until yesterday when I was sitting on the floor downstairs, staring at the bookshelves trying to see if there was anything to read there since every book in my personal library has been read at least once. And my dad grabbed Kitty, My Rib off of the shelf and handed it to me, telling me that he remembered it being good and that I'd probably like it. So, I decided to give it a shot.
And I really enjoyed it. It was a very emotional experience for me, reading this book. Even as a Lutheran, I know relatively little about Katharine Luther and found this book about her life to be interesting and well-done. It was an easy read and though the writing style wasn't exactly the crown jewel of this book it didn't take me long to get used to it at all and the story kept me going.
This is the sort of book that you can probably read in one sitting if you've got enough time. I found myself flipping the pages eagerly and it was a splendid read.
For the last 30-or-so pages, I was in tears, crying almost continuously. I don't know if I'm just a generally emotional person or if it was genuinely that sad but this book certainly set me down an emotional roller coaster.
I highly recommend this book and it might even be a good nightly devotion to try out with a family!

[Sammie Bryant · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing woman! A must read for any wife and mother!

[Sarah Baughman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet story of the struggles and joys of Martin and Kitty. Like life, some parts were terribly sad and heartbreaking; others joyful and triumphant. Throughout, though, was the thread of God's grace at work in the lives of these two people who had such an impact on history.

[Kathleen Glasscock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very moving

Katharina becomes a real person as one reads about her struggles. What a witness!
I can hardly wait to meet her in Heaven.

[Adayla · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I really enjoyed this. Katharine really came to life and this gave me an entirely different perspective of her. I only thought of her as that one stiff-backed portrait. This brings a whole life and voice to her name and face. Her hopes and dreams, the feelings and milestones involved with marriage and motherhood and work. She was such a faithful, strong woman.

A few reasons why I’m not rating it super high.. I found myself wanting this book to be more fleshed out. Maybe 100-200 pages longer. Also.. I couldn’t help fantasizing this story being authored by Maggie O’Farrell.. (can someone tell her to research the Luther family so this happens?? Probably not, but I can dream…)

This often felt more like a fan fic than a novel. A lot of name dropping. I imagine it would be easier to be interested in these “characters” if you already knew them before going in. This book is not a good place to start if you are coming into this fictionalized biography without in depth historical knowledge of the Reformation.

The copy I read was a printing from 1984 but I’m pretty sure the book is even older than this, possibly the 1950s. I would be so interested in reading a book similar to this but updated and fuller.

But still. To have this much of her life into a story form with voices and accurate historical events, is such a treasure. And I’m thankful it was written.

[Jennie Geiman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting story on Katherine von Bora, Martin Luther's wife. At time it can be a little too sentimental but I really enjoyed it. She was a courageous woman indeed.

[The Radical Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author: E. Jane Mall

Recommended Age: 12-14

Date Published: 1959

Genre: Historical Fiction

Summary:
Katharine von Bora is a Catholic nun with Protestant beliefs. When she and eleven other nuns attempt to escape the Nimbschem convent, they are punished for heresy. Desperate to escape, the women write to the Reformer, Doctor Martin Luther, with the request that he help them run away from the convent to discover the truth about God’s Word and their own lives. Will he help the nuns?


Notes from The Radical Reader:

Noble Characters:
She is almost always known as the wife of the great Reformer, Martin Luther. But Katharine’s own story is one of courage and faith. From the confining walls of the convent where she grew up, to the overwhelming responsibilities of the Black Cloister, to caring and loving the man who was hated by so many, Kitty, My Rib, is the incredible story of Katharine Luther’s life.

Captivating Plots:
A daring escape from the convent in a herring barrel. The loss of two children and the pressures of maintaining a busy household and ministry while married to Martin Luther. Experience the world of the 16th century through the eyes of a Catholic nun turned Reformer’s wife, Katharine Luther, who played a key role in the foundation of the Protestant Reformation.

Elaborate Worlds:
From the walls of the Nimbschem convent to life in hostile Wittenberg, explore the life of the great Christian Reformer, Martin Luther, and his family through the eyes of Katharine Luther.


Noteworthy Elements:

Sexual Tension:
A few weeks after the Luthers are married, rumors circulate throughout Wittenberg that Katharine has secretly given birth to a baby conceived out of wedlock. The rumors are proven false and no explicit details are given.

[Binu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Runway nun to Mrs.Luther, His kitty, His Rib: Her patience, gentle heart - good example for any women.

This book serves as a good example of how to care for a husband who is busy, a good man of God. Dear Kathe made Dr.Luther's life easier with all she could. The delicate nature of human self is well potrayed especially in moments were just over anxiety and sadness makes a person sick. Also, the power of true love and care to revive and restore someone to full health.

One could learn what makes up a happy family, also teaches the best way to respond and treat the betterhalf in a relationship.

Generosity of heart is another key takeaway, seeing How Dr.Luther had spent his life. Though Kate didn't approve of the extend of generosity, it shows the reader the way to lead a biblical life.

[Chrissy Chaldecott · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very readable but overly soppy. It was interesting to read about this lady but I couldn’t help coming away feeling pity for how hard she had to work rather than being encouraged to work hard for God’s kingdom myself. The overall takeaway seemed to be hard work will kill you! I realise the author can’t cover everything and she was specifically writing about the Luther’s marriage and family life however it lacked any details about what Martin Luther was doing at various Diets and all the surrounding wars. It did make me tear up at the end though.

[Eileen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This biography reads like a novel, and it's a pretty quick read.

Katharine Luther was an amazing woman who worked hard and loved her family dearly. She made many, many sacrifices gladly for and on behalf of those she loved, and she was well loved in return.

Learning about her life and how she overcame her challenges inspires me to be a stronger Christian and a more generous, loving person. A great read, especially if you're Lutheran.

[J.R. Underdown · Rating 2 out of 5]

The blurb advertises this book as a historical novel. It's more like a biography with some gray places filled in. Taking it on its own, however, and the characters are very flat and there's little connective tissue from scene to scene. There are little moments that shine here, but not enough to lift the book. Those interested in Katherine Luther will find it informative at the least, just don't expect a well-written historical book.

[Gretchen Louise]

While the pace seems rushed compared to other novels about Katharina, the book covers the time from Katharina's first attempts at escape from the convent all the way to her death, with an emphasis on the time after her marriage to Martin. Kitty My Rib will be enjoyed more by those who already have an interest in the Luther's story, since it reads less like a novel with character development and more like a narrative retelling of facts interspersed with some dialogue.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book. Considering that Katharine lived over 500 years ago, her story is moving. I wish the author would have added a chapter telling what happened with her children.

Over all the book is written well, seemed to be well researched, although the author states it is a work of fiction. She imagined how the conversations would have gone. For me, remembering that was important.

[Melody · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book full of interesting details about the fascinating life of Katie Luther and her husband, the great reformer, Martin Luther!
Being Lutheran, I knew a few things about her life but I learned so much more about the difficult lives they led. They persevered with amazing bravery and faith through such turbulent times.

[Carol Walther · Rating 5 out of 5]

The writing style is dated but it's still a great book. I'm pretty sure I last read it in the 70s. I appreciate her struggles even more now. Worth the quick read although I would like a Luther scholar to read it and write a brief summery of fact vs fiction.

[Dona · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading a very heavy reading book about Katharine Luther, it was nice to reread this simple novelization of her life. After doing much research, Mall relayed the facts of Katharine's life while filling in the gaps with how life was for her and Luther. A worthwhile read.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

interesting....a lot of self-sacrifice

[Debra Wills · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed reading this book with my Mom. The story of Martin Luther and his wife Katharine; their life together and the challenges each faced as a couple.

[Concetta Kellough · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book about Katharine Luther, wife of Martin Luther. It described how hard and gratifying it was to be the wife of the man who started the Protestant movement.

[Lynne]

Wonderful! Martin and Katie Luther are my great-grandparents to the 14th generation. It was very special for me to know that each character is my ancestor. Well written, very engaging story!

[Bethany · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful biographical novel of Katherine Luther’s life, this is a volume I return to and cherish every few years. Many Luther biographies are on the dry side, but E. Jane Mall strives to show the warm human struggles of a real family trying to love one another and their neighbors in the midst of a sinful world — and always being pointed to the Resurrection as well, as the Luthers suffered a lot of loss.

[Elisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it...I know it is written in an assumed first person, but still an educated guess at Kitty's inner thoughts. I found this to be extremely helpful as a pastor's wife. The woman behind the great Dr. Luther. . . she was just an ordinary woman too, with a normal life aside from being married to such a man of God. It's comforting to know that there's not some huge standard or persona to live up to, just live.

[Anita · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the book, because I was interested in the story of Martin Luther's wife. I did not like the style of the book which was written at perhaps sixth grade level with rather repetitive, simple dialog. The author stated at the beginning that there was not much information available on Katharine Luther so I suppose it was rather difficult to flesh out the story. I did appreciate that it was written as a novel which made it more interesting than if it had been just the facts.

[Kate Nieuwsma · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book, since I'm very interested in Katharine von Bora. The clunky, stilted writing style, however, was a terrible distraction from the information. I appreciated what I learned, but hope to find a well written biography of Katharine soon.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very good book, but since so little is known about Katharine Luther, it obviously cannot be very historically accurate. Never the less it was a very good book and I highly recommend it.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

an interesting biography on the life of Martin Luther's wife, Katherine von Bora.

[Aly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy, quick read. Made me cry.

[Alicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good book and an interesting look at the woman and the time period. I enjoyed the fiction format.

Caution: This book made me cry.

[Krista · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a great one-sitting read. I also liked that the author hinted at the family man in Luther, while providing a possible account of a leading lady for the pastor's wife.

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was disappointed in the way it just....ended. The style of writing was very abrupt and not that intriguing. The story was good but not told well.