The Story of a Life: St. Therese of Lisieux

by Guy Gaucher, Anne Marie Brennan (Translator)

The premier biography of one of the world's best-loved Catholic saints, as presented by the priest who has devoted his life to telling her story.

Genres: Biography, Religion, Faith, Catholic, Spirituality, Nonfiction

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1987

Reviews

[Connie Rossini · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you read only one biography of St. Therese of Lisieux, make it this one. Guy Gaucher is the Bishop of Lisieux and a Discalced Carmelite. His biography is arranged in neat chronological order, making it easy to follow the events of the saint's life. There is much more in this book than just a retelling of Story of a Soul. Gaucher makes use of Therese's and others letters, her Last Conversations with her sisters, the documents from her canonization process, and more. This book helps pull all the different aspects of St. Therese's life together, making a perfect overview of her upbringing, her struggles, and her spirituality.

The writing is very accessible to the average person. At the same time, it is packed with information that you won't easily find elsewhere.

The one drawback I found was that the book does not have an index. That makes it difficult to find exacts quotes you are looking for.

[MaryAnn (EmilyD1037) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a well written and positive book about the "Little Flower".

[Polly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not positive this was the exact rendition of her biography that I read. But I really enjoyed her explanation of "the little way" and the movie which came out at the same time.

[Diana Cramer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story of the perfect life of love and devotion, and a true Doctor of the Church.

[Eduardo · Rating 5 out of 5]

“You do not know me as I really am.”
—

One of these days, I’m going to have to actually read “Story of a Soul”. Anyhow, I got this biography of Saint Therese of Lisieux by Guy Gaucher from the library.

Reading this book, I am constantly struck by Saint Therese’s devotion to God. Here is someone who loved Jesus enough that she apparently looked at every bit of physical suffering as a chance to grow closer to Him. She gets sick? Offer the pain up to God. A criminal sentenced to death? Pray for his conversion. Find out that she’s dying? Sweet, she’s going to meet Jesus all the sooner.

She’s also someone who very much enjoyed life! Saint Therese wrote letters to family members and friends! She wrote PLAYS! And acted in a few of them, too! She wrote poetry, and then got commissioned to make more by her prioress. I think there’s an image of saints, especially those in religious life, as people cut off from everything, who only sat and meditated, and that’s not true–especially of Saint Therese, who definitely *did* spend a lot of her time praying!

It’s another book that makes me think I should seriously consider monastic life. Or at the very least, maybe I should spend more time writing letters and reading more spiritual books.

[Karen Rettig · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don’t know whether it was the writing or the translation of this book that was the problem, but I found it to be disjointed and unpleasant to read. I didn’t finish it; I will find another book about St. Therese.

[Y Salib · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful book about the chronological life story of a beautiful saint. Story of a Soul is more inclined to tell the spiritual life of St Therese. This book is as good complimenting it. It is written in a simple easy to read language. I treasure it

[Susan Molloy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot say enough about how much I enjoyed reading this biography on one of my favorite saints. Saint Therese is very interesting and inspirational.
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