The Story of a Soul

St. Therese's character is absolutely enigmatic. It was like a blind man seeing the color red for the first time. I have never seen an autobiography filled with with such tenderness and love. Only after reading The Story of a Soul can you truly know what it means to be a child of God.

If I had to flee my home and had room to take with me only ten books, knowing that I might not be able to acquire any more Catholics books again, this would be one of them. (And I'm counting my Cornelius a Lapide Commentaries on the Gospels as five books.) It is simply that good.

How can I explain? Jesus says that we must become little children in order to enter the kingdom of Heaven. In my opinion, Therese shows and explains to us how to do that better than anyone ever before-- after Our Blessed Mother. So, if you really want to get to the heart of the Gospel, go to Therese. That's why Therese is a Doctor of the Church.

However, although the book is simple, it can be misunderstood. For example, as a teenager, I didn't understand the spirit with which Therese did all her little sacrifices and ended up going a bit cuckoo over it. I recently finished a companion to The Story of a Soul called "A Retreat with St. Therese" by Fr. Pere Liagre. I would include this in one of my top ten books as well due to how well it explains Therese's teachings. I would recommend reading read Story of a Soul first and then following up with Fr. Liagre.

Wonderful auto-biography by a real Saint.

I read this book and my spiritual life has been forever changed. In times of desolation, I revisit it and find the courage to trust in God's love for me, his little child amidst all my brokenness for it is He who raised me from the depths of darkness, despair, discouragement into the light of His love where He could heal my wounded heart.

I've read this classic a number of times. It's for devotees of St. Therese who would like to understand more of her spiritual life and family life and her life and sufferings in the convent.

The aspiration of any Catholic is to get to heaven, and there are few people better to learn from than those who are already there.

The Story of a Soul is one of the most heart touching biographies of any saint. It will move you to strive for holiness in ways you never could have imagined.

As a simple autobiography - this book is incredibly motivating.
As spiritual reading - nearly every line of this book is incredibly fruitful.

St. Therese writes in an incredibly clear and pure manner that will absorb you in her saintly life. It most definitely absorbed me, and helped expose many of the flaws and shortcomings that I struggle with. It has given me standards to strive for. And it has touched my own life deeply.

Beautiful. It inspires in one the desire to grow in holiness, to grow closer to God. Truly a must-read.