Book Review: Marie Durand

One of the great ways parents can teach their children faithfulness to the Lord is through their own example to Him and His Word. Devoting time as a family to the Word of God is critical. Yet, there are other resources one can use to hone the importance of Christian faith. What I am talking about is church history. The lives of Christians throughout the centuries provide us an example of faithful servant-hood and devotion to God. This is such the case with Simonetta Carr’s autobiography on Marie Durand, part of the Christian Biographies for Young Readers series. With vivid illustrations by Matt Abraxas, Carr lays out the life of Marie Durand and engages the young reader to consider the implications for our own life and Christian walk.

Marie Durand is nicely laid out in six brief chapters, tracing the time from her birth, her imprisonment, and her freedom. Her story is a heart-wrenching account of being arrested, separated from her husband (never to see him again), because of the fact her brother was a Protestant preacher in France. Even in the midst of all the difficulties and trials she faced, as the book tells, she remained faithful. In prison, she assumed a role of leadership among women and educated them and their children in the Bible and the basics of education. Heartbreak and illness plagued Marie and the other prisoners. Finally, after thirty-eight years, Marie was released. While life was still not peaceful, she did die peacefully.

This book features a short account of a faithful follower of Christ who may not be as well known in church history. Even so, Marie Durand by Simonetta Carr is a book parents can read to their children, showing them what Christian perseverance and faithfulness looks like. I gladly recommend this book.

I received this book for free from Reformation Heritage Books via Cross Focused Reviews for this review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own and are my honest review of the book.