Title: Not Regina
Author: Christmas Carol Kauffman
Major Themes: Anabaptists, Switzerland, Reformation
Synopsis: A young woman in Zurich, Switzerland must decide who is right—the Anabaptists, whose peace and joy she can see, or the young man she loves, who leads Anabaptists to prison.
Not long ago, I pulled off our shelves all the books I could find about the early Anabaptists, and told the school children to choose which ones they wanted me to read aloud to supplement our study of that time period. My oldest, who has been out of school for many years, noticed Not Regina in the stack and said I had to read it to the children—it was one of her favorite books! So, we read it.
Publisher’s description:
The 1500s were stirring times in Europe. Luther nailed his ninety-five theses to a church door in Germany, exploding a powder keg of unrest that seethed for decades. Against this background, Regina Strahm found herself caught between two religious factions in Switzerland. Her parents repeatedly warned her against the Anabaptist heresy, and the young man she loved had no doubts about the state church’s claims. But why then did Zwingli’s official religion fail to satisfy her spiritual emptiness? And why were the Anabaptists willing to die for their faith? Regina discovered why, and found a joy she had never before known.
My thoughts:
I have loved Not Regina since I first read it when I was 8-10 years old. It has everything that makes a historical novel wonderful for all ages. There is a young woman who wants to find the truth. There are journeys through the night to avoid capture. There is a castle. There is a romance (very mild, no kissing). And, it’s set in a beautiful place—the mountains of Switzerland.
Christmas Carol Kauffman has done a good job, in this book, of capturing the beginnings of the Anabaptist movement and the Reformation in Zurich, Switzerland. This was a time of turmoil for many people, and it’s easy to feel that turmoil through Regina’s story. Through her questions, the issues that divided Anabaptists from the other reformers are explained clearly. She witnessed the death of Felix Manz, the first Anabaptist martyr. I believe this book was written for teens and older, but in my opinion, it is fine for preteens as well. Though there is a martyrdom described, it is not gory, and it didn’t seem to bother my super-sensitive 5-year-old when I read it aloud.
WARNING: Chapter 21: Man is drowned.
Age levels:
Listening Level—Ages 8 – 12, 10 – 12, 12 – 15, Family Friendly
Reading Independently—Ages 12 – 15, 15 and Above, Adults
Links to buy this book:
Amazon: Paperback | Hardcover
AbeBooks: View Choices on AbeBooks.com
Other Places: Christian Light Publications—Paperback | CAM Books—Paperback
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