The Burden Is Light: The Autobiography of a Transformed Pagan Who Took God at His Word

by Eugenia Price

A successful novelist and writer recounts the events that led her to become a born again Christian, and describes the ways her faith has sustained her

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, Christian Non Fiction, Memoir, Faith, Christianity

174 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1955

About the author

Eugenia Price was born in Charleston, WV, June 22, 1916, to Walter (a dentist) and Anna Price. At the age of ten, she decided she wanted to be a writer and entered a poem in her school's literary magazine. She was raised as a member of the Methodist Church, but had left the church behind by the time she graduated from high school, at the age of 15, in 1932. She decided to leave writing behind to follow in her father's footsteps and pursue a career in dentistry. She attended Ohio University for three years, declaring herself an atheist during this time. In 1935, she became a student at Northwestern Dental School, the only woman admitted that year. She studied dentistry for two years, but writing continued to draw her. In 1939, she was hired to work on the NBC radio serial In Care of Aggie Horn. She continued as one of the writers for the show until 1942. She left NBC, going to work for the Proctor and Gamble show Joyce Jordan, M.D. from 1944-1946. In 1945 she founded her own television and radio production company, Eugenia Price Productions, developing other serials for Proctor and Gamble.

In 1949 Eugenia Price underwent a profound life change, giving up her college atheism to embrace Christianity. She considered a career change, but accepted a position with WGN Radio as writer, producer, and director for Unshackled, another radio serial. The popularity of the show led her to a lecturing career throughout the United States and Canada for several years.

Price began yet another career in the early 1950s when she was approached by one of the owners of Zondervan publishing. The 1953 publication of Discoveries Made from Living My New Life, a chronicle of her newfound faith and the experiences that led her to it, launched Eugenia Price into a new career as an inspirational writer. Other inspirational books followed, addresses issues of importance to women and children and other self-help concerns and urging readers away from advances in psychology and analysis and toward a life based on Biblical tenants. Many of her inspirational books are still in print, a testimony to the comfort and empathy many readers found in her works.

Eugenia Price gained a much wider audience though when she began publishing historical romances set in the American South. These novels were praised as "compelling sagas that blend personal stories of love and tragedy. . . with the dramatic events of a region's history." Her first historical romance, The Beloved Invader, was inspired her visit to Saint Simons Island, Georgia and based on one of the island's nineteenth-century inhabitants. The Beloved Invader was published in 1965 and followed by two other romances, New Moon Rising (1969) and Lighthouse (1971), to form the St. Simons Trilogy.

Her historical romances made Price a frequent member of the best-seller lists and brought her millions of readers. Although she continued to write and to publish inspirational works, it was her romances that brought her the greatest attention.

Eugenia Price died May 28, 1996, in Brunswick, Georgia of congestive heart failure and is buried in the Christ Church cemetery, Frederica, GA. Many of her books remain in print and have translated into 17 languages, charming readers of all ages and nationalities. Her manuscripts are housed at Boston University.

Reviews

[Elisabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I admire Eugenia Price as an accomplished, widely-read author. However, I must say that I was slightly disappointed by the repetitive, verbose style with which she fashions her story. The beginning few chapters seemed randomly scrambled, and many details were included throughout the book that were simply unnecessary. The book did become more interesting after her conversion story. The final chapter (which turned out to be an addendum by Price during her later years) gripped my attention more than any other chapters as her style seemed to be more mature and concise. Her story itself fascinated me. Overall, I found this book to be an interesting read, though the exorbant amount of details left my brain struggling to attend to the story.

[Yibbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s a beautiful testimony of a life sold out to God. For anyone wondering, or skeptical, about the freedom so many claim is found in Christ, this book might just be the answer you’re looking for. It’s a joyous account of her escape from alcohol, debt, fear, depression, and loneliness to a life of surrender, freedom, joy, provision, and love. She shows you quite clearly who changed her and offers you a chance to meet Him as well.
The first bit is the story of her conversion and surrender to God's will. Then she tells how GOd provided for her every need as she yields herself to him and the lives he touched through her.
I can’t decide if I like the writing style or not. It was not choppy, but not very flowing either. Maybe energetic, or punchy in an upbeat sort of way, would be the best way to describe it. Everything is short, short chapters, short sentences, and short snapshots. It took me a bit to catch the rhythm, and until I did it was a bit hard to follow. However, the story was so interesting I kept on and am happy I did so.
Beyond Salvation and complete surrender to God’s will, there really isn’t any theology in the whole book. The only Scripture in the whole book are the ones used during her conversion. The only other mentions are of times when she in ignorance or rebellion twisted it to her own ends.
The only concern I have is the implied acceptance of Catholics as saved. That could be because it was early in her Christian life, but nothing was said about it later either.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Her autobiography of how as a teenager she turned her back on God, lived for herself and became an atheist. In her early twenties, as life became harder to bear, she reached out to Ellen, a high school friend she’d been close to. In the years since they’d lost touch, Ellen had become a Christian living passionately for the Lord. Eugenia “Genie” saw this. That fall, Genie traveled to New York to visit Ellen and God used Ellen to bring Genie to the Lord. Her commitment was total – taking God at His Word and watching Him move in wonderful ways.
Really good. For someone to be so convinced of the non-existence of God, when she believed, she put as much faith in the reality as she'd put in the non-existence. A challenge to my own faith: do I take Him at His word completely or do I still try to maintain the reins?

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read a couple of Eugenia Price’s books because they are set in St simons, GA, one of my favorite places. I had no idea of her background- thus book covers her wrestling with the truth and how God worked in her life for the 5 years following that. I appreciate how she details her wrestling-this resonated with me as a very analytical person. I also had no idea she was the first writer for Unshackled, one of my all time favorite radio programs. This is going on the “re-read” list for me.

[Sue Fowlkes · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book that will warm your heart

This is a book that will bring you to the point of either accepting or rejecting the truth. If you find it hard believe, I ask this of you: what do you have to lose? Are a happy with your life now? Or just maybe, as Genie discovered Your life could be changed as well! Very well written and thought provoking.

[Mazzou B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Found this very interesting! Although it takes place in the early 1900s, it is as relevant as if it were written today. Also, it is a story of a conversion which is powerful and timeless. I was impressed and loved the amount of Scripture the author included in her autobiography.

[Stanley Harder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mere Christianity

This is without a doubt one of the most compelling personal stories of a modern day Saul (Paul). Eugenia's skillful writing makes it a pleasure to read and her integrity and humility make it perfectly believable.

[J Crossley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This autobiography is the story of the author’s conversion to Christianity. She looks at her personal, professional, and spiritual growth throughout the years.

[Daniel Harding · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspiring. Encouraging. Detailed. Personal.
Following Jesus is intensely personal.

[sandy · Rating 1 out of 5]

good for her i guess but this book was awful

[Joelle Lewis · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF

I tried so hard, but I could not figure this book out.

[Lisa Tangen · Rating 3 out of 5]

it was a little hard to follow...not as enjoyable as I hoped. I did learn she wrote Unshackled, the radio program

[Amy Litzelman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a fantastic book. I have not read any of Eugenia's fiction books, but have loved both The Burden is Light! and Early Will I Seek Thee. She is very honest and even humorous in her story-telling about her conversion to Christ and the years following. It is a story of how truth sets us free and gives great joy. Eugenia went from being a depressed, worldly writer in financial debt to a kind, gentle woman with so much joy and love that she and those around her knew it had to be God. Highly recommend.

[Julie Jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful! I could tell from her St. Simons trilogy that she must be a Christian- so I was excited to find and read her spiritual autobiography. It was unique that she wrote this book while still in her first five years of being saved, and then added a few thoughts at the end after 30+ years. If you like Eugenia Price's books and want to get to know her better, or if you want to read a light, refreshingly honest story of conversion, this is a fun and enjoyable read.

[Graceann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eugenia Price's difficult and often unpleasant journey into her Christian Faith. I learned a lot about my own Faith through reading about Price's experiences, and this helped me find peace in many different ways. It worked out well for her, too.

[Beka · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful and moving story of one woman's road to the cross. Her story is touching and eye-opening.

[Alison Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another one of my all-time favorites!

[Alicia Glende · Rating 5 out of 5]

really enjoyed reading her story. It made me rethink how i view God. He has us, we don't have Him!

[Sue Kozlowski · Rating 2 out of 5]

Non-fiction. Very spiritual.

[Alexis V.B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Am, and will always be encouraged by Eugenia Price in this and her other books. Please read!

[Kim Greer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an incredible read about Genie's journey to find Christ. Highly recommend it.

[Bill · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a powerful Christian testimony!

[Sheila Samuelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read in 2007

[Kay]

Very Good