Amy Carmichael of Dohnavur: the story of a lover and her beloved

by Frank L. Houghton

A biography that tells the fascinating and inspiring story of a life dedicated in the fullest sense to service of the Lord.

Genres: Biography, Christian, Nonfiction, Historical, India, Christian Non Fiction, Biography Memoir

Paperback

First published January 1, 1953

Reviews

[Molly Grimmius · Rating 4 out of 5]

This 1974 biography of Amy Carmichael, a missionary to India, gives the full life account of this amazing saint that truly knew God, lived for God fully and imparted that love to others. I knew very little of her but after reading poem of Carmiacheal I wanted to read more and especially like that this biography incorporated her beautiful poetry. The last 100 pages of of the biography were my favorite as we heard a lot of her direct words in prayer and messages especially as she was more ill at that time. I was humbled and challenged by her prayer life, her complete trust in God through every decision and her ability to just do. She saw a need of these temple children and responded…. What a witness and legacy.

I would say the writing was okay but often so many references to people and missionaries that the author thought we knew or had already about…. Still a full picture was painted of her.

[Kanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

She is my favorite heroine. I can't wrap my mind around the spectacular work she's done in India in the early 1900s on an issue that we are still now trying to fight: child prostitution. It reminds what greatness in a life requires and the blood-and-gut sacrifices we have to make. To me, she best exemplifies Calvary love.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

A life-impacting book about a woman who made an inmpact for God. I don't know how it rates as a biographical work, but I do know the qoutes in this book by Amy Carmichael and her poetry changed my life the first time i read it. I read excerpts from it often.

[Val · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, Amy Carmichael's life is an inspiration!

[Barbara Harper · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my all-time favorite Christian biographies. Amy's life and writings are an inspiration to walk more closely with God.

[Dolina]

Lovely book that is easy to read. A great example of a life lead in faithfulness to God and his leading.

[Charity U · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good biography for learning about Amy! What an amazing missionary she was.

[Kathryn Fuller · Rating 4 out of 5]

A woman I've always heard about and always wanted to know more about--it was great to read the details of her life! It was also beautiful to read an account by someone who knew her personally and loved her very much.
This book is SUPER detailed and gives many many many accounts of her life. Sometimes it felt too detailed and drawn out, but that's just my opinion. It also just wasn't a "fluff" book, it had plenty of substance, so that's also why it took me a bit longer than usual to get through it.
Yes, recommended. She was an amazing woman.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amy Carmichael was a single woman totally surrendered to God. The book is a biography of her life and her ministry in India to the Hindu temple children. Amy was first of all, loving, which I greatly admired. She had amazing insights into the Word which she took to heart and applied to her life. Oh to be half of the woman of faith that she was. This is a book to reread, although she herself wrote many books, of which I have read none.

[Jeshua · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading Elisabeth Elliot's Chance to Die I can tell that this book is rose-tinted. It doesn't highlight any of the flawed aspects of Amy Carmichael. It does however offer a good insight into spiritual lessons that can be learnt from her. It quotes a lot directly from her

[Susie]

This was a rather long book, but it's filled with great encouraging nuggets for cross-cultural workers. Although I don't have some of the same theological beliefs that she references in this book, I learned a lot of practical principles that apply to overseas mission work. She talked about the importance of praying for the right workers to help--not just accepting anyone who wants the experience but those who are truly called of God to be a part of the specific work. Just because many express the desire to be a part of the work and will even commit to doing the work long-term doesn't mean that God wants them to be a part of the work. Also, conflict is inevitable, but we cannot stop thinking the best about our brothers and sisters in Christ and above all to love them. Let's not add to the unlove that is so prevalent wherever we are serving. And finally, the importance of not controlling the work. She understood that at times other people were better suited for the leadership position, and she had a dream of seeing the nationals reaching their own people. She could still be a part of what was going on by bathing the work in prayer.

[Bro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book and worth the read. I think she was a good an d Godly woman. She doubtless rescued hundreds of children from cultist sexual practices and abuses. I love how she answered and followed God's calling and persevered in her life.



It is amazing to think that one woman can make such a difference! Not that women are weak, but I am not sure we see today women use their God given gifts like this very often. She was not a bitter woman either about her singleness. When her life ended she had a very large family of children, men and women who loved and followed God as well. She lacked nothing!



She claimed healing power though she was modest about it. I believe the Bible will disagree that she had that power. God has the power, but does not manifest His power through people in the way she said.

[Yvonne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had to read a Biography of a Christian for a Bible Class and I chose Amy Carmichael. I had a hard time getting into reading this book, but when I finally did, I was happy I had bought the book. Along with all the information, it includes a lot of her poems and it was an inspirational read about a woman living her life for Christ and putting her complete trust in God for all things as she rescued babies and children from being "married to the gods" in India at the turn of the century. It led me to read some of her books which were also encouraging and I was fasinated to find out that the orphanage she began in the early 1900's still exists today.

[Elise · Rating 3 out of 5]

Incredible story of an amazing woman and the incomparable God she served. How fitting that the last line of the book was a hymn of praise to God. The writing was a little slow at times, but I appreciated all the stories of her life and the excerpts from her letters and journals. I didn't realize she accomplished so much in Ireland before even reaching India, and I had no idea of her long confinement before finally being released from the earth.

[christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

In earlier readings, I liked this biography better than Elisabeth Elliot's "A Chance to Die." This time around, the writing style felt stiff and perhaps overly reverent of the subject.

I still find it the best Amy Carmichael biography in its liberal use of primary sources, especially private notes and letters written within the Dohnavur Community. Much, much wisdom there.

[Savannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing account of a life fully surrendered to the King. Sometimes the writing and events were hard to follow, but always a blessing... especially the verses at the beginning of each chapter.