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5 Puritan Women: Portraits of Faith and Love
What the Lives of 5 Puritan Women Teach about Holy Living and Devotion to God
The writings of the Puritans have had a recent resurgence, but many Puritan women have often been overlooked or misunderstood. As mothers, daughters, grandmothers, and wives, the vibrant faith of Puritan women has much to teach modern day readers.
In 5 Puritan Portraits of Faith and Love, Jenny-Lyn de Klerk shows how the lives and writings of Christian women encourage the beauty of holy living and provide practical wisdom for the home and the church. Each chapter portrays a different Puritan woman—Agnes Beaumont, Lucy Hutchinson, Mary Rich, Anne Bradstreet, and Lady Brilliana Harley—telling their stories of devotion, lament, and family. By studying their faith journeys, modern readers can learn more about their roles in church history and glean insights into the Christian life.
Accessible An affordable, easy-to-read format to introduce readers to the neglected writings of Puritan women Explains the need for, and the value of, studying Puritan women today and highlights spiritual disciplines that these women demonstrate Women in Church Broadens the reader’s understanding of women’s roles in furthering God’s kingdom throughout history Foreword by Karen Swallow Prior
The writings of the Puritans have had a recent resurgence, but many Puritan women have often been overlooked or misunderstood. As mothers, daughters, grandmothers, and wives, the vibrant faith of Puritan women has much to teach modern day readers.
In 5 Puritan Portraits of Faith and Love, Jenny-Lyn de Klerk shows how the lives and writings of Christian women encourage the beauty of holy living and provide practical wisdom for the home and the church. Each chapter portrays a different Puritan woman—Agnes Beaumont, Lucy Hutchinson, Mary Rich, Anne Bradstreet, and Lady Brilliana Harley—telling their stories of devotion, lament, and family. By studying their faith journeys, modern readers can learn more about their roles in church history and glean insights into the Christian life.
Accessible An affordable, easy-to-read format to introduce readers to the neglected writings of Puritan women Explains the need for, and the value of, studying Puritan women today and highlights spiritual disciplines that these women demonstrate Women in Church Broadens the reader’s understanding of women’s roles in furthering God’s kingdom throughout history Foreword by Karen Swallow Prior
161 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 1, 2023
43 people are currently reading
834 people want to read
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March 12, 2023
“Five Puritan Women: Portraits of Faith and Love” by Jenny-Lyn de Klerk
Thank you @crosswaybooks for this gifted copy!
I find the Puritans fascinating. The trials and persecution they endured, their stalwart faith, their perseverance. Jenny-Lyn has researched many of the Puritan women and is one of the few authors sharing this research in book format.
Pros of this book:
~I love the cover
~I love nonfiction, and reading about these womens’ lives was inspiring
~the poems Anne Bradstreet wrote after she lost a child(ren) moved me to tears
~it’s a quick read
Cons of the book (all opinions my own):
~I believe people learn best by reading history, drawing their own conclusions, learning from others’ mistakes. It is hard for me to read a book when the author tries to TELL the reader what to think. It’s a great flaw in writing, of which I’m seeing an increase of in this day and age. Maybe it’s just me, but it really bothers me.
~Some sweeping speculations are made about what some of these Puritan women thought, when the documented writing proves otherwise. If, for example, Anne B was finding it “hard to affirm God’s goodness,” I would want to see that in Anne’s writing. Jenny-Lyn did an excellent job providing the original writings of these ladies; and what is provided contraindicated de Klerk’s assessment of Anne B’s thoughts. (Just one example)
~Parts of the book were choppy with many parentheses breaking up the flow of the writing. (Which I get, bc I do it all the time myself! I’m doing it now! But it’s hard to read that in a book.)
~I don’t care to hear in a book, “Now do you see what I mean when I say….”
I know I sound perhaps unnecessarily harsh about the writing, and I do not presume I could write better than Jenny-Lyn. As a lover of history books, I tend to prefer to learn from the original writings that these history authors have assembled, and not be told what to think or feel. Anyone else track what I’m saying?
Overall, there are some gems of writings that de Klerk assembled in this book, and it’s lovely to have these women of the faith in one beautifully covered book!
Thank you @crosswaybooks for this gifted copy!
I find the Puritans fascinating. The trials and persecution they endured, their stalwart faith, their perseverance. Jenny-Lyn has researched many of the Puritan women and is one of the few authors sharing this research in book format.
Pros of this book:
~I love the cover
~I love nonfiction, and reading about these womens’ lives was inspiring
~the poems Anne Bradstreet wrote after she lost a child(ren) moved me to tears
~it’s a quick read
Cons of the book (all opinions my own):
~I believe people learn best by reading history, drawing their own conclusions, learning from others’ mistakes. It is hard for me to read a book when the author tries to TELL the reader what to think. It’s a great flaw in writing, of which I’m seeing an increase of in this day and age. Maybe it’s just me, but it really bothers me.
~Some sweeping speculations are made about what some of these Puritan women thought, when the documented writing proves otherwise. If, for example, Anne B was finding it “hard to affirm God’s goodness,” I would want to see that in Anne’s writing. Jenny-Lyn did an excellent job providing the original writings of these ladies; and what is provided contraindicated de Klerk’s assessment of Anne B’s thoughts. (Just one example)
~Parts of the book were choppy with many parentheses breaking up the flow of the writing. (Which I get, bc I do it all the time myself! I’m doing it now! But it’s hard to read that in a book.)
~I don’t care to hear in a book, “Now do you see what I mean when I say….”
I know I sound perhaps unnecessarily harsh about the writing, and I do not presume I could write better than Jenny-Lyn. As a lover of history books, I tend to prefer to learn from the original writings that these history authors have assembled, and not be told what to think or feel. Anyone else track what I’m saying?
Overall, there are some gems of writings that de Klerk assembled in this book, and it’s lovely to have these women of the faith in one beautifully covered book!
January 14, 2026
This was rough to get through… the writing was lacking. Some strange choices of words. Feminism sprinkled all throughout. It came across as pretentious and condescending. It was like she wanted you to know just how smart and educated she is. I can appreciate what the author was trying to do in highlighting some lesser known women of the Puritan era, but it was not executed well.
March 26, 2023
As someone who has enjoyed reading Puritan writings in the past but has little knowledge of the contributions made by Puritan women, I was very intrigued by Jenny-Lyn de Klerk’s goal to “revive the writings of Puritan women for Christians today by reading them on their own terms” (20). As the title indicates, this book briefly profiles five such women: Agnes Beaumont, Lucy Hutchinson, Mary Rich, Anne Bradstreet, and Lady Brilliana Harley. Each profile contains an overview of its subject’s life, along with excerpts from materials these women wrote—mostly letters, but, in the case of Lucy Hutchinson, a treatise on theology. I was really encouraged by how these women dealt with the challenges of their day, from political opposition to devasting personal tragedies, and how they each sought to be used by God to bless others, reflecting a “heartfelt holy kind of living” (15). One consistent benefit that I always derive from reading the Puritans is a clear reminder of how good God is and how little I have to complain about. This book was no exception.
I recommend this book to anyone interested in knowing more about Puritan women, and I sincerely appreciate de Klerk’s obvious enthusiasm for her topic. I was occasionally distracted by what I perceived to be missteps in tone that had, for me, the unfortunate effect of patronizing the reader—for example, when de Klerk refers to herself in the book’s introduction as a “ a millennial living in Vancouver with four university degrees” and us readers as “all you lovely church folk” (20,21) for whom she’s going to break things down; when she calls Lucy Hutchinson “too nerdy” for “girl subjects” (48); and when she begins several sentences with “Now do you see why I said…?” or something similar (59, 84, 128, 133) thereby adopting the tone of an elementary school teacher addressing children (especially grating when the idea being conveyed was already pretty clear). I can imagine that it is very challenging for authors, especially young ones, to find the balance between speaking with legitimate authority on a subject and striving for accessibility and likability. De Klerk’s writing didn’t quite achieve that equilibrium for me, but I’m sure more charitable readers will easily overlook any inconsistencies in tone and focus instead on the very worthy contribution that Five Puritan Women makes for Christian readers. I’m glad I read it.
I recommend this book to anyone interested in knowing more about Puritan women, and I sincerely appreciate de Klerk’s obvious enthusiasm for her topic. I was occasionally distracted by what I perceived to be missteps in tone that had, for me, the unfortunate effect of patronizing the reader—for example, when de Klerk refers to herself in the book’s introduction as a “ a millennial living in Vancouver with four university degrees” and us readers as “all you lovely church folk” (20,21) for whom she’s going to break things down; when she calls Lucy Hutchinson “too nerdy” for “girl subjects” (48); and when she begins several sentences with “Now do you see why I said…?” or something similar (59, 84, 128, 133) thereby adopting the tone of an elementary school teacher addressing children (especially grating when the idea being conveyed was already pretty clear). I can imagine that it is very challenging for authors, especially young ones, to find the balance between speaking with legitimate authority on a subject and striving for accessibility and likability. De Klerk’s writing didn’t quite achieve that equilibrium for me, but I’m sure more charitable readers will easily overlook any inconsistencies in tone and focus instead on the very worthy contribution that Five Puritan Women makes for Christian readers. I’m glad I read it.
February 21, 2023
I really enjoyed meeting these five Puritan women and hearing their stories of faith in Christ. They had different personalities, strengths, weaknesses, and challenges. However, they all fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith. It was encouraging to ponder the fact that the same God who loved and cared for them is the God who cares for me today.
I did take off one star, though, because unfortunately, the book is slightly marred by a few typos, a few grammatical errors, and a few confusing & poorly worded sentences. (It made me wish that my old high school English teacher’s red pen could be hired by Crossway’s editing department!) It’s too bad, because this book is an important contribution to Christian literature, as much of the source material for these women is relatively inaccessible. Maybe those mistakes can be rectified in a later edition.
I would still recommend this book in the spirit of Philippians 3:17, where Paul writes, “Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.”
I did take off one star, though, because unfortunately, the book is slightly marred by a few typos, a few grammatical errors, and a few confusing & poorly worded sentences. (It made me wish that my old high school English teacher’s red pen could be hired by Crossway’s editing department!) It’s too bad, because this book is an important contribution to Christian literature, as much of the source material for these women is relatively inaccessible. Maybe those mistakes can be rectified in a later edition.
I would still recommend this book in the spirit of Philippians 3:17, where Paul writes, “Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.”
September 18, 2025
Terrible, terrible writing. Why didn’t someone tell this author with multiple degrees that she can’t write? Maybe because it would’ve victimized a woman? Since that’s largely what she focused on. A feminist book on the Puritan Women and what knowing victims they were of their patriarchal and oppressive society. Much like today, apparently, since the author complains frequently of the lack of books written on Puritan women. The lack of writings is obviously because women are still ignored, unimportant, and trodden underfoot by men despite all their Christ-like suffering; but not because women then weren’t spiritual teachers in the church and grasping for offices in the church that weren’t theirs. Certainly not because maybe women were workers at home and caring for their children and households so that their husbands could lead the church. Like Sarah Edward’s. There are lots of writings about Sarah Edward’s and things written BY Sarah Edward’s, but she overlooks that in her caterwauling about these poor victimized women. GAG.
August 17, 2025
Jenny-Lyn de Klerk's 5 Puritan Women: Portraits of Faith and Love felt like a breath of fresh air. It was fascinating, challenging, and encouraging in all the right ways. These women’s lives weren’t wrapped up in pretty bows. They carried burdens that weighed heavy—longings that went unmet, love that wasn't returned, and families torn apart by loss. Some were even pushed to the edges of their communities, left standing in the cold, alone.
But here’s the beautiful part—through it all, their stories weren’t marked by defeat. From where we stand, with the gift of hindsight, we see that their lives were victories. Not in worldly terms, but in the ways that matter most. Their unwavering devotion to God poured out as the greatest gift of all: spiritual love and care. In the middle of the chaos, unanswered questions, and heartbreak, God’s love wove their lives into something beautiful.
I recommend this book to anyone seeking inspiration, spiritual encouragement, or a deeper understanding of how God’s love can shape even the most difficult lives into testimonies of grace and faith. Whether you're facing your own trials or simply longing to see the hand of God more clearly, this book will uplift, challenge, and inspire you in unexpected ways.
This book reminded me that even when life feels like loose threads and broken pieces, God is weaving a love story that stands the test of time—a love rooted in His endless love for us and the love we offer back to Him. These women’s faith left a mark—and it challenges me to live the kind of life that does the same.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher and also purchased the ebook myself. I’m not required to write a positive review and haven’t been paid to do so—this is simply my honest, personal response. These thoughts are my own, shaped by a desire to reflect on the writing, clarity, and how well the message aligns with God’s Word. I share this reflection to offer a trustworthy and transparent perspective for readers who care deeply about truth.
But here’s the beautiful part—through it all, their stories weren’t marked by defeat. From where we stand, with the gift of hindsight, we see that their lives were victories. Not in worldly terms, but in the ways that matter most. Their unwavering devotion to God poured out as the greatest gift of all: spiritual love and care. In the middle of the chaos, unanswered questions, and heartbreak, God’s love wove their lives into something beautiful.
I recommend this book to anyone seeking inspiration, spiritual encouragement, or a deeper understanding of how God’s love can shape even the most difficult lives into testimonies of grace and faith. Whether you're facing your own trials or simply longing to see the hand of God more clearly, this book will uplift, challenge, and inspire you in unexpected ways.
This book reminded me that even when life feels like loose threads and broken pieces, God is weaving a love story that stands the test of time—a love rooted in His endless love for us and the love we offer back to Him. These women’s faith left a mark—and it challenges me to live the kind of life that does the same.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher and also purchased the ebook myself. I’m not required to write a positive review and haven’t been paid to do so—this is simply my honest, personal response. These thoughts are my own, shaped by a desire to reflect on the writing, clarity, and how well the message aligns with God’s Word. I share this reflection to offer a trustworthy and transparent perspective for readers who care deeply about truth.
August 2, 2023
De Klerk is a proficient writer, giving a quick overview of five different puritan women. I enjoyed her writing style—to the point and yet still thorough. Each chapter filled my heart with inspiration and gratefulness for women who were faithful and loved their family and neighbors, even in the midst of war and turmoil. I want my own girls to read this book and recommend it to all Christian women! Only four stars because I found it too short.
February 25, 2023
An accessible but yet historically informed book. De Klerk not only gives biography but uses the wonderful lives of these five women to offer a convicting and compelling book.
February 1, 2023
Some lessons are best learned through story.
In our spiritual growth, we often tend to seek out direct instruction, a list of dos or don'ts, or counsel that tells us what to do - it's easier to be told than to search for answers, easier to follow a command than understand an illustration. But consider Jesus' teaching with parables, the narratives that line Scripture, stories touch us in the deepest ways, not only in teaching us, but in how they affect us.
In 5 Puritan Women: Portraits of Faith and Love, Jenny-Lyn shares with us the stories of five women, devoted to the Lord, with a spiritual maturity that imprints the relationships in their homes - both their physical and spiritual homes - developed through their commitment to abiding in the Lord. For each woman, she highlights a spiritual practice that influenced their life and influence.
“As mothers, daughters, grandmothers, and wives, these women discipled their loved ones by using spiritual practices that enabled them to devote themselves to God and bring his word to bear”
On Agnes Beaumont - A Daughter as Evangelist, Using Memorization:
“Though it seemed the world, and even her own father, were doing everything they could to set her desire to love God at odds with her desire to love people, she strove to be simultaneously bold in the faith and at peace with those who did not share it.”
On Lucy Hutchinson - A Mother as Theologian, Using Fellowship
"Borrow a page from Hutchinson’s story and not give up when its proving difficult to learn and teach or become hateful when it feels like the world is against you, but take the initiative to fulfill God’s call of spiritual parenting on your life and maintain love for all believers, no matter their tradition, and even all of humankind, with whom you share the many blessings of life on this earth."
On Mary Rich - A Countess as Philanthropist, Using Meditation
"What Rich teaches us is that when we sincerely and intentionally apply our whole selves in times of devotion, we will be led to a true spirituality, one that makes room for a daily repenting of our own sin, finds a reason for gratitude around every bush and creek, enjoys intimacy with God, and loves others instead of despising, coddling, or looking down on them."
On Anne Bradstreet - A Grandmother as Homemaker, Using Prayer
"When Bradstreet was penning such praises and laments to God about her life, she was not only writing them to express her own emotions—they were also meant for her family."
On Lady Brilliant Harley - A Matriarch as Physician, Using Spiritual Conversation
"While we might feel tempted to devalue the thousands of acts of care we do for our many loved ones because, in and of themselves, they seem small, we must remember that the love that is given through them will live on in the ones who receive it."
I hope you will enjoy meeting this women as much as I did! Jenny-Lyn's writing is engaging, drawing you easily into these women's lives and experiences. I highly recommend this title!
Quick Stats
# of pages: 160
Level of Difficulty: Easy
My Rating: 5 stars
*A big thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC and for the opportunity to post an honest review!
{First posted here:https://www.amberthiessen.com/post/wh...]
In our spiritual growth, we often tend to seek out direct instruction, a list of dos or don'ts, or counsel that tells us what to do - it's easier to be told than to search for answers, easier to follow a command than understand an illustration. But consider Jesus' teaching with parables, the narratives that line Scripture, stories touch us in the deepest ways, not only in teaching us, but in how they affect us.
In 5 Puritan Women: Portraits of Faith and Love, Jenny-Lyn shares with us the stories of five women, devoted to the Lord, with a spiritual maturity that imprints the relationships in their homes - both their physical and spiritual homes - developed through their commitment to abiding in the Lord. For each woman, she highlights a spiritual practice that influenced their life and influence.
“As mothers, daughters, grandmothers, and wives, these women discipled their loved ones by using spiritual practices that enabled them to devote themselves to God and bring his word to bear”
On Agnes Beaumont - A Daughter as Evangelist, Using Memorization:
“Though it seemed the world, and even her own father, were doing everything they could to set her desire to love God at odds with her desire to love people, she strove to be simultaneously bold in the faith and at peace with those who did not share it.”
On Lucy Hutchinson - A Mother as Theologian, Using Fellowship
"Borrow a page from Hutchinson’s story and not give up when its proving difficult to learn and teach or become hateful when it feels like the world is against you, but take the initiative to fulfill God’s call of spiritual parenting on your life and maintain love for all believers, no matter their tradition, and even all of humankind, with whom you share the many blessings of life on this earth."
On Mary Rich - A Countess as Philanthropist, Using Meditation
"What Rich teaches us is that when we sincerely and intentionally apply our whole selves in times of devotion, we will be led to a true spirituality, one that makes room for a daily repenting of our own sin, finds a reason for gratitude around every bush and creek, enjoys intimacy with God, and loves others instead of despising, coddling, or looking down on them."
On Anne Bradstreet - A Grandmother as Homemaker, Using Prayer
"When Bradstreet was penning such praises and laments to God about her life, she was not only writing them to express her own emotions—they were also meant for her family."
On Lady Brilliant Harley - A Matriarch as Physician, Using Spiritual Conversation
"While we might feel tempted to devalue the thousands of acts of care we do for our many loved ones because, in and of themselves, they seem small, we must remember that the love that is given through them will live on in the ones who receive it."
I hope you will enjoy meeting this women as much as I did! Jenny-Lyn's writing is engaging, drawing you easily into these women's lives and experiences. I highly recommend this title!
Quick Stats
# of pages: 160
Level of Difficulty: Easy
My Rating: 5 stars
*A big thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC and for the opportunity to post an honest review!
{First posted here:https://www.amberthiessen.com/post/wh...]
July 28, 2024
3.5⭐️
What I loved:
The stories of these women are so beautiful and inspiring. Every single story showcases how ordinary Christianity can be extraordinary. Especially in wives and mothers. These are women worth looking up to and praising their many virtues. We need to hear more of these stories.
What I didn't love:
I know nothing about this author and her background. So, I am solely making this judgment on this particular book. The author inserts a modern worldview into some of the commentary of the stories. The author also assumes many times that the work of homemakers was unappreciated during the time of the Puritans. A lot of assumptions are made with little evidence given. A soft egalitarian view is inserted a few places as well, which I could have done without.
A few thoughts on biographical works like this:
As I have become a more avid reader and have grown to appreciate a rich narrative, I am more aware of the "moral lessons" that are often added to biographical works. I hate to be a snob or nitpicky. However, I truly think that the stories of these women stand alone and speak so clearly of the virtues and lessons we can take from them. What benefit is it to us as the reader, for a book to force on us the moral lessons we must take from each story? In this book, in particular, I felt like a child being told what I must take from the stories of these women. (I don't even think children need this much condescension) This is a personal pet peeve. Let the lives of these virtuous women speak for themselves.
What I loved:
The stories of these women are so beautiful and inspiring. Every single story showcases how ordinary Christianity can be extraordinary. Especially in wives and mothers. These are women worth looking up to and praising their many virtues. We need to hear more of these stories.
What I didn't love:
I know nothing about this author and her background. So, I am solely making this judgment on this particular book. The author inserts a modern worldview into some of the commentary of the stories. The author also assumes many times that the work of homemakers was unappreciated during the time of the Puritans. A lot of assumptions are made with little evidence given. A soft egalitarian view is inserted a few places as well, which I could have done without.
A few thoughts on biographical works like this:
As I have become a more avid reader and have grown to appreciate a rich narrative, I am more aware of the "moral lessons" that are often added to biographical works. I hate to be a snob or nitpicky. However, I truly think that the stories of these women stand alone and speak so clearly of the virtues and lessons we can take from them. What benefit is it to us as the reader, for a book to force on us the moral lessons we must take from each story? In this book, in particular, I felt like a child being told what I must take from the stories of these women. (I don't even think children need this much condescension) This is a personal pet peeve. Let the lives of these virtuous women speak for themselves.
March 25, 2024
DNF
I’ve been reading a lot of Christian biography lately and I just couldn’t get through this one. I didn’t think it was well written/edited or compelling.
I’ve been reading a lot of Christian biography lately and I just couldn’t get through this one. I didn’t think it was well written/edited or compelling.
June 15, 2023
We are not victims of circumstance. We need to really believe this. How can I say this with sickness and sin so near? Because we have a good and faithful, sovereign and merciful Savior and King who holds firmly all that he has made. I think that is why I love reading about the saints who have gone before me, most notably the Puritans. This book highlights five Puritan women that whole-heartedly believed in the goodness of God and trusted his perfect hand wherever it fell. By learning about these five women, you will be encouraged to look to the supremacy of Christ in the trials of your day and to abide in Christ through the reading of and mediating on His word.
Jenny Lyn-de Klerk gives us a peek into the lives of five Puritan women who all hold different roles as women in the home, in their families, and in their societal roles. The author shows the reader how the devotion each woman had to the Lord spurred not only their own faith on, but effected every other facet of and relationship in their life. We see how poetry and prayer, scripture memory, meditation, and the love of the local church ended up being the effective ministry of these women to the people they loved because “it was all given in the context of their life together” (135).
I found myself almost becoming friends with these women as I turned the pages: feeling the aches they must have held, recognizing the beauty they created, and understanding the disappointments they had over their sin. I was moved by their deep-seated contentment in Christ, their commitment to spending time with the Lord, and their willingness to obey the Lord in the challenges of their day. And reading this book will stir your affections for Christ, invite you to empathize better, and grow your trust in the faithfulness of Christ.
“Sometimes, it is only when we take a step back from our lives and enter the life of another person—messy and complex as it always is—that we are able to gain the perspective needed” to really believe “that God is in control and we will be okay” (22).I will even be so bold to say that spending time with past voices renders out present anxieties powerless.
Jenny Lyn-de Klerk gives us a peek into the lives of five Puritan women who all hold different roles as women in the home, in their families, and in their societal roles. The author shows the reader how the devotion each woman had to the Lord spurred not only their own faith on, but effected every other facet of and relationship in their life. We see how poetry and prayer, scripture memory, meditation, and the love of the local church ended up being the effective ministry of these women to the people they loved because “it was all given in the context of their life together” (135).
I found myself almost becoming friends with these women as I turned the pages: feeling the aches they must have held, recognizing the beauty they created, and understanding the disappointments they had over their sin. I was moved by their deep-seated contentment in Christ, their commitment to spending time with the Lord, and their willingness to obey the Lord in the challenges of their day. And reading this book will stir your affections for Christ, invite you to empathize better, and grow your trust in the faithfulness of Christ.
December 28, 2023
There is great value in studying women from church history as they truly were in their context or setting and not just how we think, wish, or understand them to be in our own culture. But for many of us, reading the words directly from these Puritan women would be challenging and the deep meanings could be lost in translation. Through this book, de Klerk has done the work to peer into the lives of 5 women from a period wholly different from ours, the 1600s. She pulls back the curtain and guides the reader at seeing and understanding these women who should be widely known for their love for community, their families and, most importantly, their love for and devotion to God. It is from this devotion to God that they drew the strength to accomplish what they did in their lifetimes: “in order to bring your family, church, or community close to God, you first have to be close to God yourself. Indeed, these women's schedules were filled to the brim with, even dictated by, their use of spiritual practices that enabled them to be alone with God in order to pour out their hearts to him and listen to his response through Scripture and the Spirit.”
One of the most personally impactful stories was of Agnes Beaumont. Her life is a lesson can be learned: that through fiery challenges we must draw on the Word of God which has been richly planted in our hearts. That we might say, much like Beaumont, that it is during times of trial that we feel a sweetness of deep relationship with God and that our souls would ‘feel the most whole’.
All in all the lessons learned from these women point to the necessity of “spiritual loving care”, and the reality that the ability to impart this great gift to another comes from one’s own personal devotion to God.
I received a complimentary ebook in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.
One of the most personally impactful stories was of Agnes Beaumont. Her life is a lesson can be learned: that through fiery challenges we must draw on the Word of God which has been richly planted in our hearts. That we might say, much like Beaumont, that it is during times of trial that we feel a sweetness of deep relationship with God and that our souls would ‘feel the most whole’.
All in all the lessons learned from these women point to the necessity of “spiritual loving care”, and the reality that the ability to impart this great gift to another comes from one’s own personal devotion to God.
I received a complimentary ebook in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.
December 24, 2024
5 Puritan Women are featured in this lovely book. Each Women's story offers us so much to learn about Faith. The author did a wonderful job of putting the reader in the time period of the Puritans and giving historical background. Each Women featured has a unique story and some of their stories were fascinating and some very compelling. Some of their stories brought tears to my eyes. These women weren't perfect. They were being sanctified in the Lord, but their stories offer so much for us to learn from and Jenny-Lyn de Klerk did a splendid job of weaving together their stories and the wisdom from these women who loved the Lord.
This book isn't just a book about these 5 women. This book is full of wisdom for the home.
Most of the women featured in this book are not well known. I actually only knew of Anne Bradstreet, so I had a fun time meeting the others.
1. Agnes Beaumont
2. Lucy Hutchinson
3. Mary Rich
4. Anne Bradstreet
5. Lady Brilliana Harley
One of my favorite quotes:
" So don't despair of the trials in your life and think everything is going to be better once they're over; God is with you now, and being close to him is the best thing you can experience in this life or the next."
Thank you @crosswaybooks for a copy of this book for my honest thoughts!
This book isn't just a book about these 5 women. This book is full of wisdom for the home.
Most of the women featured in this book are not well known. I actually only knew of Anne Bradstreet, so I had a fun time meeting the others.
1. Agnes Beaumont
2. Lucy Hutchinson
3. Mary Rich
4. Anne Bradstreet
5. Lady Brilliana Harley
One of my favorite quotes:
" So don't despair of the trials in your life and think everything is going to be better once they're over; God is with you now, and being close to him is the best thing you can experience in this life or the next."
Thank you @crosswaybooks for a copy of this book for my honest thoughts!
August 29, 2024
3.5 stars rounded up
Loved the idea of this, but a bit let down by the execution. I’m choosing to believe this isn’t specific to books for/by women, but there seems to be this trend in contemporary Christian books of being really conversational and using second person, and I’m not into that. I felt patronized by the tone taken by the author when I would have appreciated a more scholarly, formal tone, or something more akin to the way these Puritan women actually talked and wrote. The contrast between the content and the way it was presented was just a little too unbalanced, so it took away from what I think could be a really impactful book about the incredible spiritual and ministerial lives of these Puritan women.
Loved the idea of this, but a bit let down by the execution. I’m choosing to believe this isn’t specific to books for/by women, but there seems to be this trend in contemporary Christian books of being really conversational and using second person, and I’m not into that. I felt patronized by the tone taken by the author when I would have appreciated a more scholarly, formal tone, or something more akin to the way these Puritan women actually talked and wrote. The contrast between the content and the way it was presented was just a little too unbalanced, so it took away from what I think could be a really impactful book about the incredible spiritual and ministerial lives of these Puritan women.
March 1, 2023
"5 Puritan Women: Portraits of Faith and Love" is a really fascinating look into the lives of 5 Christian women of a time gone past. I have recently been learning of the puritans and their utter devotion to knowing Christ and conveying His glory and beauty to everyone - their devotion to the scriptures, as they are, pure in form. It's really remarkable the persecution the puritans went through just to be able to live and practice their faith. The 5 Puritan women in this book are no disappointment, as each provide practical wisdom and encourage a beautiful, holy life lived rooted in Christ. I love reading of Christian history because it informs so much of our faith, and what others had to do in order to hold fast to Him. It puts me in my place, so to speak, as I wonder - would I go through that in order to hold to Christ? Am I that devoted to who He is, also? By reading the Puritans you can see how much your faith can grow, how much you know of Christ and how much you just want to know! This book is accessible, full of history, testimony and more which makes it a great read. IT will compel you in your walk for Christ and inspire you in the lives shared within, the depths and places gone in order to be able to say" "I live for Christ alone." Highly recommend this book. *Thanks to Netgalley for the copy of the book to read and review.
January 21, 2025
It was both edifying and convicting to read about these faithful puritan women and their devotion to the Lord. Also a beautiful reminder that the Lord has sustained his saints throughout the ages!
January 22, 2025
Very good!
February 1, 2023
I wanted to like it more than I did. Some of the stories were more compelling than others. I was quite bored, but I can appreciate what Klerk was trying to achieve here.
December 12, 2023
This was a sweet book that shared the lives of 5 Christian women who endured life’s trials with a special emphasis on their spiritual disciplines.
May 19, 2023
I received an ARC of this book for my unbiased opinion: This book is so inspiring and full of faith. It’s honestly what I want to be reading they don’t avoid the tough topics but really lean on God to get through. I identified with the third puritan woman a lot she had tendencies towards anger and materialism and I felt that I learned a lot through her story. Also I appreciated how these women saw Christ in everything and circumstances. This is what I strive to be and do. I plan to purchase this book for my shelves and recommend this to many people.
Side note - there are many books about puritan men but none about puritan women and in our culture faithful role models is so important.
Side note - there are many books about puritan men but none about puritan women and in our culture faithful role models is so important.
April 1, 2025
5 Puritan Women was an easy audiobook listen. I found the stories interesting and loved learning more about these women. The first story was especially intriguing and memorable. I think I would have enjoyed the book even more had I had a print/text copy, so I could keep track of the women and their stories better. Still a good read and I enjoyed listening to it.
January 5, 2025
I was really excited about this book and thought it would be a 5 star rating up until the last two chapters.
While I very much appreciated the story of Lady Brilliana Harley, the way in which de Klerk sets up her introduction causes the rest of the chapter to fall flat. It stands out sorely compared to the other chapters, not because Harley is any less interesting or that the lessons to be gleaned from her life are not as valuable, but because there is not as clear of a spiritual undergirding in the way that her story is told (though de Klerk makes it seem like Harley will be the pinnacle). Much is said about her devotion to her son (which, in comparison to the other women and the stories of their relationships, felt out of place and even a bit odd in its intensity) and there are some references to her praying for him or giving godly advice, but there were few specifics given. The first hand accounts did not portray the details of her devotion to, knowledge of, or consideration of the Lord, though I’m sure that was present in her life. I appreciate the point de Klerk was making in terms of how impactful it is to leave a godly legacy as a mother, but when that has to be explicitly told rather than shown, the impact is lessened significantly.
My other quibble with the book is that at the outset de Klerk says we need to understand these women in their own words rather than through our own modernized lens. She does well enough in the individual chapters, but then seems to scramble in the concluding chapter to appeal to the modern Christian woman’s sensibilities (there is more of this in the Hurley chapter too, which may be why it was my least favorite) and draw conclusions for them about the lives of these women, rather than letting the reader do that on their own.
I will say that de Klerk very much succeeded in drawing my attention to Puritan women that I (mostly) would not have otherwise heard of. I’m thankful for the testimonies of their lives and faithfulness to God. Ultimately, their life stories remind me that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever—faithful, good, and wise in His design for womanhood.
Note: I listened to the audiobook and found it engaging via that medium, especially since the narrator does a good job with the voice acting for the primary sources. I see several reviews that say the book felt like a slog, and I think the audiobook may help that.
While I very much appreciated the story of Lady Brilliana Harley, the way in which de Klerk sets up her introduction causes the rest of the chapter to fall flat. It stands out sorely compared to the other chapters, not because Harley is any less interesting or that the lessons to be gleaned from her life are not as valuable, but because there is not as clear of a spiritual undergirding in the way that her story is told (though de Klerk makes it seem like Harley will be the pinnacle). Much is said about her devotion to her son (which, in comparison to the other women and the stories of their relationships, felt out of place and even a bit odd in its intensity) and there are some references to her praying for him or giving godly advice, but there were few specifics given. The first hand accounts did not portray the details of her devotion to, knowledge of, or consideration of the Lord, though I’m sure that was present in her life. I appreciate the point de Klerk was making in terms of how impactful it is to leave a godly legacy as a mother, but when that has to be explicitly told rather than shown, the impact is lessened significantly.
My other quibble with the book is that at the outset de Klerk says we need to understand these women in their own words rather than through our own modernized lens. She does well enough in the individual chapters, but then seems to scramble in the concluding chapter to appeal to the modern Christian woman’s sensibilities (there is more of this in the Hurley chapter too, which may be why it was my least favorite) and draw conclusions for them about the lives of these women, rather than letting the reader do that on their own.
I will say that de Klerk very much succeeded in drawing my attention to Puritan women that I (mostly) would not have otherwise heard of. I’m thankful for the testimonies of their lives and faithfulness to God. Ultimately, their life stories remind me that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever—faithful, good, and wise in His design for womanhood.
Note: I listened to the audiobook and found it engaging via that medium, especially since the narrator does a good job with the voice acting for the primary sources. I see several reviews that say the book felt like a slog, and I think the audiobook may help that.
January 9, 2024
What an absolute delight of a book. Though I’m an avid enjoyer of Puritan authors and writings I have to admit I hadn’t heard of a single one of these women. Now that I’ve read about them I’m so eager to find more of their writings. I’ve never agreed with the assessment that Puritans were stodgy, joyless robots. I don’t know how anyone can read the gut-wrenching emotion poured into their writings and say such a thing. These women were smart, passionate, determined and more than anything, they absolutely adored our Lord. I am so thankful to have “met” these 5 women and can honestly say their stories have changed me.
April 19, 2024
“…this devotion and service all flowed from God Himself, Who must be the first aim of all our exercises. It was His transformative friendship that enabled Rich to keep noticing blessings and connecting with people even when her life did not pan out the way she hoped it would. Rich never did lose her sentimental heart, keen on finding true love; she simply discovered its fulfillment in God.”
This book is simple and sweet and makes me want to dive deeper into the stories and writings of my courageous Puritan sisters in the faith.
This book is simple and sweet and makes me want to dive deeper into the stories and writings of my courageous Puritan sisters in the faith.
October 26, 2025
3.8 ⭐️ Short good book! Listened of Spotify.
How encouraging I’ve been in learning about Christians through out church history. Recently I’ve learned about Matthew Henry, Corrie Ten Boom, and now these Puritan women. Their lives remind me that God works in wonderful ways through our trials and seasons of darkness. I’m reminded of how blessed I am for being placed in this “comfortable” time in history and how much I’ve been given, yet challenged to give the Lord my all, knowing that God will require much of me.
How encouraging I’ve been in learning about Christians through out church history. Recently I’ve learned about Matthew Henry, Corrie Ten Boom, and now these Puritan women. Their lives remind me that God works in wonderful ways through our trials and seasons of darkness. I’m reminded of how blessed I am for being placed in this “comfortable” time in history and how much I’ve been given, yet challenged to give the Lord my all, knowing that God will require much of me.
March 28, 2024
I enjoyed reading these short bios of women of faith. I think what particularly struck me from each of their stories is how their closeness and devotion to God lead them to love and share spiritual teachings to friends, family, and neighbors. And how by pouring into those around them their faith and writings have been passed down through generations to be shared with those far beyond their time and families.
March 9, 2025
As someone trying to learn more about/from the Puritans, I’m glad to have found a book focused on the women. The author’s addressing a needed gap, which I appreciate. And the women’s stories were each inspiring in their own way.
While I understand the book is a short fly-over view of various women rather than a book that aims to go too in depth, I wasn’t a fan of the conversational writing style. I’d rather be told the history and invited to draw my own conclusions instead of being told explicitly what my takeaways should be.
While I understand the book is a short fly-over view of various women rather than a book that aims to go too in depth, I wasn’t a fan of the conversational writing style. I’d rather be told the history and invited to draw my own conclusions instead of being told explicitly what my takeaways should be.
April 6, 2023
I appreciated a lot of this book especially that it brought out little known Puritan women. Some of their lives convicted me toward more godliness in my day to day! A couple places in the book I got a slightly more feminist vibe than I would’ve liked and somehow it’s not quite what I expected but overall a great book and worth the read!
December 19, 2025
Enjoyed it but the sections on each woman were very brief and I’d have preferred to just hear the whole book on Mary Rich honestly. At some points I feel like the author was trying to emphasize some theme about women that I didn’t quite get and am not sure I agree with. I know that’s a little vague but something about one just didn’t quite hit for me.
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