An Ordinary Woman's Extraordinary Faith

by Patricia St. John

The remarkable story of the author, Patricia St. John's life.

Genres: Biography, Christian, Nonfiction

304 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

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

[Becca Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an excellent book!! I have enjoyed a few of Patricia St. John's novels over the years and bought this autobiography after hearing it recommended on a podcast. I've read a lot of Christian biographies and memoirs but what stood out to me from this one is St. John's humility and genuine relationship with Christ. She admits struggling through dark times and coming out (sometimes years later) of those experiences even closer to Christ, having received His grace in new ways. I highly recommend this!

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I started reading this book, I knew Patricia St. John as the author of some books I had moderately liked a child, and as a person my grandparents had known on the mission field in Morocco. Having visited Morocco a few years ago, and having lost my grandmother since, I was most interested if she would include any of the people, places, or stories I was familiar with (aside from a brief mention of the orphanage where my grandparents work, she didn't). But I quickly became engrossed instead with an account of a life of extreme faith and faithfulness that challenged and exhorted me in my prayer life and in my willingness to surrender the kind of life I expect for myself to God's will. Her anecdotes from the mission field are by turns funny, powerful, and heartwrenching. The book is far from flawless. She sometimes seems reluctant to be the heroine of her own autobiography, giving the spotlight instead to her brother, sister, parents, or friends. She has a tendency to romanticize her own family (her father falls under a particularly rosy light), and she gives equal weight to "boring" periods of time in her life as the interesting. But reading about her life, the race that she ran, encourages me to press on, a little harder, a little swifter.

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very encouraging book! I think my favorite part was the stuff about her family and how they grew up and related to one another and her journey to faith.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved reading this book. I grew up on her stories for children, and this memoir was fantastic. Her stories of being a missionary and writer in Morocco are captivating and encouraging.

[Marian Frizzell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of the most powerful, joy-imbuing, perspective-shifting biographies I have read in a while. St. John shows what a life of loving Christ well could really look like.

[Janie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Remarkable woman of faith. The Lord gifted St. John with many abilities she used to further His kingdom to the lost, forgotten, and poor in difficult place in the world. She continues to use those abilities through her writings, especially for children.

Years ago, I remember reading aloud my first St. John to some of my children, Star of Light, which was so touching that I would have to struggle through emotions to get the words out of my mouth. Some time later, I saw this autobiography available and got it to read St. John's background. She said in it that all the children's books she wrote are true but because of maintaining privacy and security for those real people and to have a fluid story line, some of the stories are blended together. Her autobiography stayed on my shelves for fifteen to eighteen years before I finally picked it up. I now want to read some of her other children's books.

[Rachel B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Patricia St. John was a single, Christian missionary to Morocco, where she worked in medicine. It was so refreshing to read a book that didn't declare raising children as the "best, highest calling" for a woman who desires to serve God!

In addition to her medical missions, she writes of her growing up years in England and Switzerland, and her brief stints in Lebanon, Rwanda, and Ethiopia.

I did find the organization of the book a bit frustrating. The author jumped back and forth in time with various chapters and I much prefer chronological reading. For this reason alone, I'm unsure how much of the book will actually stay with me.

I'd never heard of St. John before picking up this book. I imagine it would be even more interesting to those who've read her other works (novels and biographies) and could learn about her inspiration for some of those stories.

[Keri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading this autobiography of Patricia St. John. I have read several of her children’s books, but didn’t know her story. It reminded me a lot of Elisabeth Elliot’s story in many ways. A beautiful faith and a life abandoned to the work of the Lord. An inspiring story of faith and trust in God. Highly recommend.

[Martha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely wonderful autobiography by one of my all-time favorite children’s authors. Her books had a profound effect on me growing up, and I loved reading her real life story, especially about her missionary experiences in Morocco.

[Madelyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable and encouraging read. Written with wit and wisdom. I look forward to reading more of Ms. St. John’s books.

[Kathie Lederman · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Autobiography of Patricia St. John is as much an adventure story as an autobiography. She is one of my favorite authors of children's books (love them all!). And why did we not hear of this book in Christian circles? She communicates adventure, suspense, fun, appreciation of beauty. She causes the reader to evaluate sorrow and tragedy, and most of all faith in action. Worth the time spent reading the book!

[Pamela Bronson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is the third time I've read this book and I hope it won't be the last. It makes me laugh and cry, encourages and inspires. It makes me want to read her other books.