The Tinker's Daughter: A Story Based on the Life of Mary Bunyan (Daughters of the Faith Series) [Paperback]

Wendy G. Lawton (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2002 | Age Level: 9 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up | Series: Daughters of the Faith Series

John Bunyan, author of Pilgrim's Progress, only mentioned one of his children in his memoirs--Mary. Born blind, her story still intrigues us today. Mary developed a fierce determination for independence despite her disability after years of proving she was not hindered by her blindness. Only when she admits she needs help does she tap into the Source of all strength.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Lawton deftly brings to life the dirt, danger, and turbulence of 17th-century England, as "seen" by a plucky 10-year-old. -- Moody Magazine May/June 2002

This is a . . . story you'll not forget. Lawton's writing is bright, tight, and makes skillful use of all five senses. -- WonderKorner, http://www.peak.org/~bonwritr/BOOK_tinkersdaughter.htm

From the Author

The record of Mary’s life is fascinating. She is the only one of his children mentioned repeatedly by John Bunyan in his writings. My fascination with Mary grew out of speculation that the reason that Pilgrim’s Progress is so vivid, so visual, is that Bunyan learned how to make Mary “see” his stories.

Rather than the stereotypical struggle to overcome her disability, Mary has the opposite problem. She stubbornly refuses to give in to physical limitations and finds it hard to accept help from family, from friends and from her heavenly Father. Telling the story from the visually impaired person’s point of view demands that sensory detail come from hearing, touch and smell. It allows the reader to experience Mary’s blindness and the smells and sounds of 17th century England throughout the pages of the book.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Moody Publishers; New Edition edition (April 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802440991
• ISBN-13: 978-0802440990
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #238,194 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another Hit, May 19, 2003

By 

Lee Warren (Omaha, NE USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Tinker's Daughter: A Story Based on the Life of Mary Bunyan (Daughters of the Faith Series) (Paperback)

I'm not sure why we've stopped caring about history, but as evidenced in recent polls, it is clear that many of us are unfamiliar with the people and events that shaped our nation and the world.

Along comes Wendy Lawton with books like "The Tinker's Daughter" in her "Daughters of Faith Series." I'm excited about this series and about this book. Most people have probably heard of John Bunyan, author of "Pilgrim's Progress," but how many people know that he had a blind daughter named Mary who brought food to him daily while he was imprisoned in England for "unlawful preaching" during the 17th century? I certainly didn't.

As with the other books in this series, Lawton brings history to life in "The Tinker's Daughter" and she gives us a glimpse into what life would have been like in the Bunyan household as John is persecuted for his faith. From struggling to put food on the table, to Mary's struggle to place her faith in Christ, Lawton gives us rich details about John's life through the eyes of his beloved daughter Mary.

Pick this book up for the child(ren) in your life. My copy is going to my niece.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rich and Compelling Writing, March 8, 2003

By 

Diane H. Pitts (Gulf Coast) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Tinker's Daughter: A Story Based on the Life of Mary Bunyan (Daughters of the Faith Series) (Paperback)

Wendy Lawton seizes a story, studies the what-ifs, and crafts an excellent work like "The Tinker's Daughter." Children as well as adults will be mesmerized by this book.

Lawton recreates Mary Bunyan, daughter of John Bunyan, through a vivid portrayal of some key events in the family's life. Through Mary's blind eyes, one sees the cruelty of the times, the devastation of her father's imprisonment and the triumph of faith as evidenced by his Pilgrim's Progress. Wendy Lawton guides you swiftly from page to page until there are no more; rather than being disappointed, you want to go to another story, another profile.

I have had the pleasure of recommending this book to many young friends and using it as a writing model for those I tutor. History lives through the writing of Wendy Lawton, and our lives are made richer for it.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Tinker's Daughter, January 16, 2004

By 

charity (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Tinker's Daughter: A Story Based on the Life of Mary Bunyan (Daughters of the Faith Series) (Paperback)

In the Tinker's Daughter, I didn't expect the story to relate to my life at all. But as you read further into the book, you discover an independent but also scared little girl who just wants her father back. It is her who takes the journey everyday to visit and feed her father in prison, and her who makes sure the house is running smoothly. But you will learn, as she does, that being independent is good up to a point, but to really survive you need God's help. I would reccomend this book to anyone in the ages of 10-14 who likes historical fiction and is looking for a good story for a rainy day.