Review: Loving Luther by Allison Pittman

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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.

My Thoughts:

Loving Luther by Allison Pittman is the second story I have read about Martin Luther and his bride Katharina von Bora, and it was especially poignant as this is the 500 year anniversary of the Reformation. This story focuses more on Katharina, how she came to the convent, her growing up years and her decision to become a nun, to her escape on that fateful Easter when she meets Martin Luther face to face, and her ‘loves’ after. I really enjoyed the historical detail the author gave to Katharina, a woman who was to become Mrs. Luther and what type of person she may have been. We are given a very detailed account of the two years of her freedom from the convent and the patronage of the wealthy who hosted her.

Martin Luther was a complex man it seems, and I liked how author Pittman portrayed him. A man powerfully used by God, hated by the Church, but yet undoubtedly a flawed human. From the beginning I knew he needed someone like Katharina by his side.

This was an interesting period in history as not only was the world waking up from the medieval era, but also God’s people was waking up from the fierce and oftentimes corrupt rule of the Roman Catholic church. To read the Bible on your own in your own language, which we often take for granted, was quite a discovery and an enlightenment of that time.

This was much more Katharina’s story than Luther’s; I only wish we could have seen more of the romance between the two of them. However given who they were in history I could see their romance progressing just as the author wrote it. And I do think she did them justice.

I received a copy of this novel for free. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.

About the Author:

Allison Pittman is the author of more than a dozen critically acclaimed novels and a three-time Christy finalist—twice for her Sister Wife series and once for All for a Story from her take on the Roaring Twenties. She lives in San Antonio, Texas, blissfully sharing an empty nest with her husband, Mike. Connect with her on Facebook (Allison Pittman Author), Twitter (@allisonkpittman) or her website, allisonkpittman.com.