Mindy

This is, and has been for 25 years, one of my favorite books. It is loosely based on the life story of the author's grandmother. I remember meeting June Strong shortly after I'd read Mindy for the first time and she was an incredible woman. I recommend this book to every female friend I have.

It doesn't surprise me to see several buyers waiting for this book even though "Mindy" was first published in 1977. I give it 5 stars for content and for execution of the writer's goal--more on that in a moment--but had to give it only 4 stars because the writing is formal in a way that doesn't invite the reader to relate. We meet Mindy when she's a teenager struggling with her Christian faith in an 1800s small-town area that isn't Christian. She's also suffering from tuberculosis and her life is in doubt. Clearly the author wants to strengthen and assist others who are trying to live out Christianity in a worldly world, and does this well, with warm, real characters we can related to in spite of the writing style. Mindy, an intelligent, engaging young woman, is someone every Christian can understand. Her struggles, defeats, and victories can bring hope to anyone in a similar situation. Though the setting is old to us today (you will find traditional roles for the most part), the struggles are the same, and Mindy's inner debates and outward decisions--as well as those of other characters--give us valuable insights and a renewed conviction to follow God whatever the cost. In today's world, a real Christian is even more of an oddity than Mindy was in her day; but if you're in Mindy's shoes in any area of your life, I encourage you to get this book, read it, and take it in.