In Her Words

by Patricia St. John

Patricia St John was a master storyteller and her books continue to captivate readers even today, but her personal story is no less exciting than one of her fictional tales.
It is full of adventure, larger-than-life characters and exotic destinations. But this isn’t some unimaginable far-flung lifestyle – central to her story is the work of God in her life
and in the lives of those she met. This is her story, told in her own words and in her characteristically engaging and gripping style.
Discover the inspiration behind Patricia’s classic tales and be challenged by her commitment to service, her desire to make Jesus known and her willingness to follow God wherever He leads.

10Biography

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Inspirational

336 pages, Paperback

Published June 3, 2013

About the author

Patricia Mary St. John spent 27 years as a dedicated missionary to North Africa - and was also a prolific children's writer. Her books are loved and treasured around the world; some have been turned into stirring films. Gripping adventures which cover real life issues are her hallmark.

Reviews

[Betsy Ambler · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was such a joy to read. Her writing challenged but encouraged my faith, and I loved to read of her reliance and love for God, and her heart for Him! It was amazing to read of some of the incidents that happened whilst she was abroad, and the care which she showed to others was so clear to see.

[Zorina Shepard · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been so impressed with the depth and masterful storytelling of Patricia St. John. Not only are her stories beautifully woven and hard to put down, but they are also steeped in the gospel and consistently point readers to Jesus.

This autobiography was especially fascinating because I had already read so many of her books. It was wonderful to see how her own life experiences shaped her writing. I also enjoyed learning how Treasures of the Snow was adapted into a movie.

Patricia St. John sounds like she would have been a wonderful woman to know. She radiated joy and spent her life serving others. She was not only a gifted writer but also a missionary, and I found her experiences inspiring.

One of the things that stood out to me most was what she shared about forgiveness and how destructive it is to hold on to grudges. I have seen this theme throughout her children's stories, and she communicates it so powerfully. While I don't agree with every statement she makes, it is clear that she wrote with a deep love for Jesus and the gospel.

One of my favorite quotes is:

"Answers to our prayers come in our body, our mind, our spirit, our circumstances, or in blessings sometimes long delayed, or even on the other side of death, and usually in our sorrow we fail to think much about that amazing final healing."

* I received a copy of this book from the publisher for my honest thoughts.

[Michele Morin]

Patricia St John is best known for writing Treasures of the Snow and other fictional tales for children. In Her Words is the story of her life, the story behind all the other stories. In it, the reader discovers the rich soil from which all her other writing grew.

At every step along the way, St John’s life bears witness to the sacredness of simply doing the next right thing. When she “longed for something comforting and reassuring” to read to the children in her care, “but there seemed to be nothing of that kind of any literary merit,” she wrote The Tanglewoods’ Secret, her first novel, to read to the children around the fire at night. When her brother, a missionary doctor in Tangier, needed an assistant, she went, the first step in a lifelong career of service that took her all over the world.

The book begins with warm and often hilarious memories from St John’s childhood and ends with poignant and deeply wise reflections at the end of a full life: “As life draws on towards evening and one looks back over the years… at first, standing alone, it is easy to see nothing but the failures, the mistakes, the might-have-beens and to ask what, if anything, has been achieved. But then Christ comes and stands beside us and says, ‘Look with me.'”

Because Patricia St John invested her life in the business of cooperating with God to redeem the stories of others, she knew for sure God can redeem all the parts and pieces of every person’s story. There is no better news.

[Helen Shirley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was bought this last month for my birthday and as it was in paperback (not on my kindle) I expected it to take me a long time to read, I couldn't have been more wrong! I had to limit myself, as it was so nice, to only reading two or three chapters a night to prolong the enjoyment! I grew up reading Patricia's books so to actually read about her was lovely. I had either no knowledge of, or had long forgotten she was a missionary for so many years and for so much of her life to be in such hostile and anti-christian environments as she was is sure testament to her and the God she served. This book is definitely one I'll be loaning to people not giving away as it's certainly one I'll want to keep on my bookshelves to reread at a later date.

[Rachel K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Any book by Patricia St. John is worth a read. As someone who grew up loving her children’s books and passing that love on to my own family, its wonderful to read about Patricia’s own life as a writer and missionary. Her outgoing and charitable nature is apparent throughout, as well as her inspirational trust in the Lord.

[Rebecca Bond · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book from the perspective of looking back at her books that I had read as a child. There was some content that challenged my way of looking at my faith, which was good. However as a book I did not find it particularly engaging, hence my mediocre rating.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Patricia St John has written some of the most loved children's books. These are classics. This book tells her story. Beginning with her birth in South America, life in England, and her ministry in Africa. As she wrote, she shared the inspiration for various books.

[Rebecca Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best life stories that I've read, written by a great story teller about her own life. Patricia had a full, inspirational life and I look forward to meeting her in Glory! A few subheadings may have helped with following the story, but other than that it was brilliant.

[Ruth Shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book, easy to read and really interesting.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book. Patricia writes in a very easy style drawing from a life of many and varied experiences.

[Grace Patterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always loved Patricia St John’s books. But to hear about her life in her own words was amazing! Was such a blessing spiritually and a joy to read!

[Rachel Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful storytelling and so encouraging, especially to read of a single woman who clung so closely to Jesus

[Kathryn Knight Randolph · Rating 5 out of 5]

Her life was such a testimony to following Jesus obediently and joyfully. This book was such an encouragement to read, and she and her family sounded like the most fun people to be around.

[Sophie · Rating 4 out of 5]

a great autobiography of a woman who dared to say yes to God

[Barbara Henderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting and inspiring.

[Luminous Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Patricia St. John’s children’s books, so discovering more about the life of this remarkable woman was so fascinating!

Patricia is a master storyteller, and her own life reads like one of her stories, an adventure as a missionary, nurse, relief worker, and author. This incredible woman devoted herself to serving others and passionately sharing the message of Jesus, truly answering His call with all her heart.

It was so interesting how the diverse locations, people, and global issues she encountered in her life influenced her writing. I loved learning about how her time in Switzerland as a child inspired her wonderful book Treasures in the Snow. A strong thread of redemption and grace runs through her work, evident both in her stories and the lives she touched!

Overall, this is such an inspiring and interesting autobiography!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Allayah B · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was super excited when I picked up this book - I grew up loving her children’s stories, and hadn’t known much about her life before reading this. Honestly, this has to be one of the best, most encouraging biographies/autobiographies I have read yet. So encouraging to read Patricia St. John’s own recounting of her story, the faithful legacy of the St. John family, and hear her engaging tales of God’s grace and faithfulness in her life - as a woman, nurse, writer, missionary, daughter, sister, and Christ-follower. HIGHLY recommend “In Her Words”!

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a lovely book. As a child I read Patricia St John's books and they made a big impact on me - particularly Treasures in the Snow. I did not know about all her missionary experiences. This book was inspirational and even convicting. My favorite part was the stories about her time spent in the mountains of Morocco, working with women and children. I highly recommend this work.

[Stephen E · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful story of one of the best story teller