Queen of the Dark Chamber

by Christiana Tsai

Libro usado en buenas condiciones, por su antiguedad podria contener señales normales de uso

Genres: Biography, Christian, Faith, Nonfiction

Paperback

First published June 1, 1953

Reviews

[Virginia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. Christiana Tsai grew up in China, daughter of a wealthy, intellectual, educated, high Chinese official and one of over 20 children in her family in the first half of the 1900's. Her depiction of the culture and thinking of that time is incredible. Her spiritual journey was awesome and encouraging. Perhaps it only deserved a 4+, but I found it so enjoyable, I gave it a 5. I have a copy if anyone wants to borrow it. It's short--192 small pages. Let me know if you'd like it.

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

An older saint in my church shared this with me and I'm so glad for it! I loved seeing the sketches and hearing stories of "old China." And I'm always encouraged to read about the lives of faithful saints (it was also timely to read, as we'd just finished a biography of Hudson Taylor and the work of CIM was mentioned many times).

[Jack Hayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shocked that this book is not more popular. Perhaps, I’m just bias. Anyone interested in the Lord’s work should give this easy readable book about China in the 1870s-90s.

May it happen again.

[Maybeline Tay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful story of an aristocratic Chinese girl’s conversion and her faithfulness and love for Christ. Very encouraging to read of God’s extensive work in China.

[Rob · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a great reminder that God has been at work in China for a very long time. It was also a reminder that persecution and misunderstanding of Christianity is not something that is simply a result of communism. It has been around since the beginning. It just looks different in different time periods, perhaps. This was an inspirational story about an aristocratic Chinese girl who gave her heart to Jesus and never looked back, no matter the consequences. She risked family and fortune, and in the end, she was instrumental in leading many of her family to faith in Jesus Christ.

The story does not end there, however. Christiana Tsai was a light in the darkness, both figuratively and literally. She worked tirelessly to be a light to her family and Chinese people. She used every opportunity to point others, especially young people, to Jesus. As disease brought her to a bedridden state where she was forced to live mostly in darkness, she continued to be a light of encouragement to all around her, continuing to do all she could to help interpret the Bible into Chinese that could be read by all, even the common man.

I was also encouraged to hear of the extensive missionary efforts that were going on in China in the years leading up to the Communist revolution. Missionaries sacrificed so much to bring the gospel to a people in need, even when many in that culture misperceived Christianity to be against their culture. The missionaries did not give up hope, but clung to the cross of Christ and the hope it brings, enduring persecution and suffering to share the gospel with people like Christiana Tsai. Their desire was obvious - to make the gospel as accessible as possible to everyone in China so that all people could cling to the hope of the cross of Christ. This legacy lasts even today as stories like this continue to be retold.

This book was a great reminder that the harvest is ready and there is work to be done!

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

My edition of Queen of the Dark Chamber includes its sequel, Christiana Tsai, and a book of devotional thoughts, Jewels From the Queen of the Dark Chamber, all by the same author.

Wow, what a trilogy. God prompted me to pick this book off my shelf at the perfect time in my life. As I am experiencing some small sufferings and looking forward to more, Christiana is teaching me to thank God for them and embrace Him in all of life. These writings are super encouraging, super challenging, and super glorifying to God.

Thanks for giving them to me, Mum!

[Taylor Roose · Rating 3 out of 5]

“I have indeed found peace out of pain, joy in suffering, light in darkness; over twenty-years in bed, I can say it is worth while to pass through the valley of the shadow of death for the joy of knowing the Lord Jesus Christ.”

This is the autobiography of Christiana Tsai, a Chinese Christian, who walked through suffering with faith and resiliency. Though it took me a while to get through this, I appreciated the window into Chinese life and the testimony of believers during this time. I found the book while thrifting with my cousin, which was a very happy surprise.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

*HOD World Geography* I really wanted to like this book. The recommendation by Billy Graham on the back cover got me really excited about it. The story itself is very interesting and I learned a lot about Chinese culture and the growth of Christianity in that country. However, there are a few things that made it hard to get through: the book is basically a transcription of the author’s memories, which makes it choppy; and there are typographical errors throughout the book.

[Mrs. Gamblin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a short easy read but 1 I would recommend it to anyone. Once she learned the truth of the gospel of Jesus, her whole life changed and she had a singular purpose - to share that truth with everyone. She did not have an easy life, but she never wavered in her faith.

[Michael Ullrich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic life and ministry

This is an inspirational true story of life in China in the first half of the 20 century. Christiana Tsai's life will impact you and your view of the Gospel and the lives Christ has changed and how He can change you.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

It felt like I was taking tea with my great grandmother and listening to her stories, of China and church work.

[Susan Siow · Rating 5 out of 5]

A moving account of how faith in God moves mountains and how the selfless labour of the saints led to the spread of Christianity in China. An inspiring read.

[Audrey Stilwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing Christian biography of hope, perseverance and purpose amidst the hardship of chronic illness.

[Faith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing account of trusting Jesus Christ as faithful even when enduring extreme suffering

[Chas Bomgardner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a unique story- very encouraging. I felt the story dragged on at times but is worth the read to hear of God’s grace and great power in the life of this lady.

[Audrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an interesting autobiography of a woman who was born into a wealthy family in old China. She was able to attend a mission school for girls and eventually accepts Christ as her personal Savior. It is a fascinating account of the work that God is doing in China. Christiana's beautiful testimony shines as she she shares her love for the Lord despite serious illness that leaves her bedridden. This is a story that leaves one feeling encouraged.

[Gene Stevenson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting memoir about coming to the Christian faith and missionary practices in early 20th cent. China. Ms. Tsai's simple faith proves compellingly strong, as she recounts the obstacles of expressing her Christianity first to her family and then to her culture. This book is a good reminder that sometimes the faith which we seem to enjoy making more complex than it is needs primarily to be lived.