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The Story of a Soul: The Autobiography of Saint Therese of Lisieux

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St. Therese of Lisieux's memoir, "Story of a Soul," has set the world on fire. For more than fifty years after Therese's death, the only edition available had been heavily edited by Therese's sister Pauline, Mother Agnes of Jesus, who made about five thousand changes in the manuscript. Michael Day's translation is made from this edited manuscript.

Happily, about 1956 the "Manuscrits authentiques," Therese's original manuscripts, were released to the world, and in 1976 Fr. John Clarke, O.C.D. translated them in the book "Story of a Soul: the autobiography of St. Therese of Lisieux," published by the Institute of Carmelite Studies. This is universally acknowledged as the only authentic and authoritative English translation. Mother Agnes's version remains of interest to scholars who wish to compare the two manuscripts, or to study the version which gave rise to the original cult of St. Therese.

St. Therese shows deep spiritual wisdom and beauty. Her life is to be an example for all of us! What is written in this book has a combination of the strength of Augustine's CONFESSIONS and the humbleness of Teresa of Avila's biography. Together, that makes this a wonderful book for a person of any kind to look for counsel in Therese. A lovely book, I suggest it for everyon!

This is an excellent book! In telling her life story St. Therese of Lisieux reveals in the process a sure and simple (though not necessarily easy) method to achieve union with God's will and the serenity of the soul that accompanies this. The style, while distinctively late 19th century, adds rather than detracts from the charm this book. The Story of a Soul is just that. It relates one soul's mystical journey toward holiness and union with God. I highly recommend it.

While much has been made regarding the translation of this book, I cannot stress enough what a classic this book is. Certainly for all Catholics this book is a must have. However, the simple and practical wisdom of this book reaches well beyond Catholic walls. If you have a section in your collection of books where you keep classics that you always go back too, pick up this book and it will find its way there for sure.

This book is simply enthralling. The reader gets a glimpse of sanctity personified in Therese. In simple, unpretentious, straightforward language the reader becomes so entwined with the mind, heart and soul of Therese as to become one with her in spirit. One cannot read this book without developing a deep love and devotion for this very simple, holy person.

The autobiography of St. Thérèse of Lisieux is a wonderful and inspiring story of a soul's journey in attaining sanctity. Filled with hope, love, and joy, the book describes her mystical journey toward holiness and union with God and can be more likened to a spiritual autobiography rather than one of purely historical dates and facts. In describing her faith journey, St. Thérèse writes in a simple yet poetically charming style. From the portrayal of her earliest childhood memories up until the time she entered the cloistered life at Carmel, St. Thérèse speaks from her heart. In conveying the events of her early years, she describes her early faith journey through relating stories of her struggles and growth, in learning about her Catholic faith, as well as progression in grace and virtue. It is through these stories that St. Thérèse imparts to the reader her character; a singleness of mind, heart, and soul toward devoting her life to following Jesus. The revelations and knowledge that her book imparts for souls journeying toward sanctity are immeasurable; from her "Little Way" of spiritual childhood to her unpretentious words for spiritual directors. It is clear that St. Thérèse had great aspirations; one in particular was that she spend her "heaven" doing good upon earth. Her autobiography and the "Little Way" of spiritual childhood is just one of the many bouquets of roses she is "showering" down from Heaven upon all.

How inspiring to read this beautiful saint's beautiful words! Reading this book truly transports you to another world! It is so easy to see why she is a saint! She has meant so much to my entire family, beginning with my grandmother, who was born just three weeks after St. Therese died. She has answered many of my prayers and I am so happy that my confirmation name was chosen for her.

"Jesus set before me the book of nature. I understood how all the flowers God has created are beautiful, how the splendor of the rose and the whiteness of the lily do not take away the perfume of the violet or the delightful simplicity of the daisy. I understood that if all flowers wanted to be roses, nature would lose her springtime beauty, and the fields would no longer be decked out with little wild flowers. And so it is in the world of souls, Jesus' garden. He has created smaller ones and those must be content to be daisies or violets destined to give joy to God's glances when He looks down at His feet. Perfection consists in doing His will, in being what He wills us to be."
- The Little Flower

I have about 3 different versions of this book. Its beloved by everyone. I have used this as a gift book. First half of book might be slow, second half of book all appreciate. Her love of Jesus predominates in the book over inferred mystical visions. She became a Doctor of the Church for her way of pleasing God in small ways.

Along with the spiritual diary of Saint Fuastina, the Story of a Soul is one of the key writings that profoundly affected my recent conversion, forever altering my perception of holiness, commitment and love of God for something deeper, more profound and ultimately, I think, more true.

After a brief series of vignettes that trace Saint Therese's story of her early life and family, her calling to contemplative life and her experiences as a nun, Therese records a very powerful series of meditations on the nature of God's love and our response to it. These meditations are so moving, I have read them several times and am certain that I will turn to them more frequently still as excellent reminders of God's immeasurable charity and tenderness towards us. Therese's own response, her tremendous love for Christ and her deep desire to demonstrate her love for God remind me of that great denoument of Hebrews 12 "For our God is a consuming fire"

I have not read the new updated version of Therese's manuscript, reconstructed from her orginal sketches. I cannot tell you exactly how her sister, spiritual mother and later Abbess created "5,000" changes in the manuscript in the course of editing it prior to it's publication -- or even how substantial these changes were, whether they were changes of apostrophes, commas, dashes and obscure words, as Emily Dickenson's relatives altered her poems before their initial publication or if these changes are actually of tone, character and meaning as the dramatic "5,000 changes" seems to imply.

I will readily admit that this little volume is certainly marked by a very Victorian conception of "charm" -- and yet! One certainly should have no need to fear reading a book treasured by Popes from Pius XI to Pope John Paul I, by Edith Piaf and Padre Pio. No, this little classic should be treasured by all of us as a wonderful little relic from a heart aflame with love.

Anyone,Catholic or not, should read this book about Ste. Therese of Lisieux. I actually read about her in another book. The small amount I had read about her, made me want to know more. I became driven to find books about her. There are other books that should be read in conjunction with "The Story of a Soul..."

If there is one who can end any of the books that can be read along with this book, or just end reading this book alone and feel that thus far they have lived their lives in anywhere near a compassionate manner, they are lying not only to themselves but to all they meet. I have never read such a book that caused me to cry, laugh, and pray throughout. READ THIS BOOK! Your life will change, mine has!