I suppose there are other authors out there who can work the entire Gospel seamlessly into a book without employing allegory or constricting either the characters or the plot, but I have yet to encounter an author who does it as openly and graciously as Patricia St. John.
Treasures of the Snow is set in a village in the Swiss Alps, and follows the lives of two children after a tragedy divides their families. While one child seeks forgiveness, the other gives in to bitterness; both are blessed by a wise old grandmother who knows exactly what each child needs.
St. John’s presentation of the Gospel within the story is a lovely thing—not subtle, but subtlety isn’t her goal—as she presents us with believable characters and uses the events of the story to draw the characters’ inward battles to the surface of the narrative, so we readers get to watch the characters transform, from the inside out, through the course of the book. Fortunately, that interior action is not muddled or abstract, but often uncomfortably clear.
I understand that St. John has other novels available, though I’ve yet to read them. After reading Treasures of the Snow, though, her works have jumped to the top of my Bookstore Browsing List. Have you read any of her other books? If so, which one should I read next?
Treasures of the Snow
Patricia St. John (1950)
Christina A says:
We are reading our first Patricia St. John book right now, Twice Freed. It’s recommended with the Veritas Press History New Testament, Greece, and Rome; we are 8 chapters in, and riveted! Can you recommend any others?
May 3, 2015 — 8:55 pm
Théa says:
I haven’t read any other books by Patricia St. John, but I’ve heard that her other books are very good! (Gladys Hunt mentions them in Honey for a Child’s Heart). I’ll have to add Twice Freed to my list 🙂
Fun fact: our daughter is doing the Veritas Press History curriculum in her school!
May 4, 2015 — 5:37 am
Christina A says:
Our kids used to be in a school in California that used Veritas Press History and Bible curriculums (curriculi? I don’t speak or pluralize Latin!); now we are Americans homeschooling in Canada, and we are using their Self-Paced Online courses for both. I have been seriously impressed with the historical literature they suggest to support the courses.
May 4, 2015 — 8:09 am
Théa says:
I’ll have to look into that reading list! My daughter is in first grade, so we’re relatively new to school in general, but have loved the Classical approach to history so far. Her school is a university model, home school co-op (three days in class, two at home, with a unified, school-chosen curriculum), and I would love to bring more of the history lessons to life at home–especially if they’re recommending Patricia St. John’s books 🙂
May 6, 2015 — 6:24 am
Christina A says:
Is she doing Old Testament and Ancient Egypt? I’d be happy to send you the list I’ve compiled of the books they use. They do have an online catalog, but they also list a few extra books on the online course reading list, the flash cards, the online store, the bibliography list, and the manual itself. My inner librarian just had to have it all in one place!
Side note: have you thought of adding a “subscribe to follow-up comments” type button on your site? I try to remember to check back if I’ve commented on something, but I don’t always rembrr right away.
May 8, 2015 — 4:56 pm
Théa says:
I have looked into adding that option, but for some reason, couldn’t figure it out. But I really appreciate your willingness to check back and follow up on our conversation. Maybe it’s time to make a redoubled effort 🙂
I would love to see that list, thank you! I totally understand the inner librarian 🙂 Could you send it to me at thea[at]littlebookbigstory[dot]com? I think they might be on the next one in the series–they’re studying Ancient Rome right now.
May 9, 2015 — 6:58 am
Christina A says:
Yes, of course! I just sent it.
May 9, 2015 — 7:24 pm