By Kelly Bridgewater
Germany, 1505
In the dark of night, Katharina von Bora says the bravest good-bye a six-year-old can muster and walks away as the heavy convent gate closes behind her.
Though the cold walls offer no comfort, Katharina soon finds herself calling the convent her home. God, her father. This, her life. She takes her vows―a choice more practical than pious―but in time, a seed of discontent is planted by the smuggled writings of a rebellious excommunicated priest named Martin Luther. Their message? That Katharina is subject to God, and no one else. Could the Lord truly desire more for her than this life of servitude?
In her first true step of faith, Katharina leaves the only life she has ever known. But the freedom she has craved comes with a price, and she finds she has traded one life of isolation for another. Without the security of the convent walls or a family of her own, Katharina must trust in both the God who saved her and the man who paved a way for rescue. Luther’s friends are quick to offer shelter, but Katharina longs for all Luther has promised: a home, a husband, perhaps even the chance to fall in love.
In the dark of night, Katharina von Bora says the bravest good-bye a six-year-old can muster and walks away as the heavy convent gate closes behind her.
Though the cold walls offer no comfort, Katharina soon finds herself calling the convent her home. God, her father. This, her life. She takes her vows―a choice more practical than pious―but in time, a seed of discontent is planted by the smuggled writings of a rebellious excommunicated priest named Martin Luther. Their message? That Katharina is subject to God, and no one else. Could the Lord truly desire more for her than this life of servitude?
In her first true step of faith, Katharina leaves the only life she has ever known. But the freedom she has craved comes with a price, and she finds she has traded one life of isolation for another. Without the security of the convent walls or a family of her own, Katharina must trust in both the God who saved her and the man who paved a way for rescue. Luther’s friends are quick to offer shelter, but Katharina longs for all Luther has promised: a home, a husband, perhaps even the chance to fall in love.
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| From Amazon |
My Thoughts:
Loving Luther by
Allison Pittman was a joy to read. Historical fiction might not be my go-to
genre, but once in a while, a topic captures my attention and makes me want to
read the novel. With Pittman's book, I never knew that Luther was ever in love
with someone. Being a monk, I didn't think they could marry, but as the story
shows, he left the monk life when he decided to read the Bible for himself.
When I read a historical novel, I want the characters to be real and intertwine
with the research so well that I don't know I'm actually reading a fictionalized
story of a real person's life.
The writing is clear and concise. We stayed in Katharina's
perspective the entire time. Since the story is told from her point of view, I
watched as she interacted with the world and saw her feelings and words about
certain topics. As for the research, it flowed nicely. I never once thought
that Pittman was giving me a history lesson on Luther and what he accomplished.
It was hinted at, but most readers should be familiar with what he accomplished
with his theses. The setting came to life. I could feel the cold and taste the thin
broth the poor ladies had to endure.
The romance really wasn't the focus of the story like I
thought it was going to be. With a title like Loving Luther, I thought the story would be more about Katharina
and Luther's love story. Yes, it is there toward the end of the novel, but the
story focused more on Katharina's upbringing and her failed love to another
man. Plus, this love to another man, I still don't understand what happened.
Katharina was in love with him, and he appeared to be in love with her. Then he
went away, never to talk to her again. It wasn't said what happened or why. I
kept waiting for Pittman to tell me what happened, but she never does.
The spiritual element is important in this novel, as it
should be because Pittman is discussing Luther and the whole Catholic church. I
enjoyed how she allowed Katharina to make the discussion that she doesn't have
to live in solitude to talk with God. She can still be a wife and a mother and
talk with God. This is important, and the Catholic church still needs to hear
this today.
Overall, the research and the setting stand out in my mind.
While the title suggests a love story, it is more about Katharina's journey to
discovering her love in Luther while maintaining her love for God. Loving Luther is a good book and taught
me a lot, so I recommend this book to fellow readers who enjoy being taught
things while they read. It was nice to uncover a part of Luther's life that I
didn't know existed.
I received a complimentary copy of Loving Luther by Allison Pittman from Tyndale Publishing, and the opinions
stated are all my own.
My Rating:
4 out of 5 stars
What draws you to historical story that is based on a true
person? Or do you stay away from this type of story all together?
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