Let Me Be a Woman: Notes to My Daughter on the Meaning of Womanhood Mass Market Paperback – October 1, 1999

Age Appropriate For: 15 and up (some marital themes and matter best for older readers)Best for Ages: 15 and upElisabeth Elliot is an incredible woman whom I have looked up to for years. Though I might not always agree with everything she says, I know whatever she says comes from a heart that is devoted to God and is seeking him. As this year I am spending a lot of time reading about Biblical Womanhood, this was high on my list.One of the things I loved about this book is that it was from a mother’s heart to her daughter. So much of the advice felt not like so many of the books on the market, but like I was sitting at her beach home listening to her talk. I felt as if I was peering over Elisabeth’s shoulder reading these letters, unfiltered, no nonsense, but with deep beauty.The advice was so steeped in Scripture without any of the softening that so many books try to do. I loved the way she made fun of feminism and did not shy away from saying things that are politically incorrect with no apology. So many books on womanhood for Christian women (I am finding) almost sound as if they are apologizing for the politically incorrect way God wants women to live. Elisabeth Elliot does not apologize; she shows what a wonderful thing is.This book really got me to thinking in such a good way. I saw so many areas that I need to allow God to work on me. There is nothing as empowering as seeing a reflection of what you are supposed to be, and I found it in this book.Elliott does talk about sex in this book. After all, it is a part of life, womanhood, and her daughter was about to be married. I found this chapter one of the more encouraging ones, oddly enough. I think because she talks about it very matter-of-factly but also doesn’t become crude about it. All her advice and encouragement is steeped in biblical principles and personal experience. I didn’t find it awkward, but rather much like a good mother-daughter talk.I highly recommend this book to women who are trying to live their life aligned with God and the Bible, not the world.

i want to recommend this book to every woman i know - but unfortunately, i know soooo many will choose to be offended by its content. it will either strengthen your femininity & rattle your feminist side (i should note that i mean the more extreme, modern meaning), or solidify your feminist ideologies altogether. for me, it was the former. & i'm so grateful. i will say, i think many of the reviews claiming this book is "against women" or "spreading harmful messages" are either taking quotes out of context or the point has gone over their heads completely.elisabeth has made such incredible points about men & women being equally valuable, but simply having different roles in life. she also exaggerated that mature men understand that they have their role not from earning it, but from assignment & are called to love well. so much so, to lay down their lives. this is no way made me feel "less than" or "oppressed" or "victimized". i would say it did the opposite. it made me proud to be a woman.personally, i think this book is incredible & i plan to read it several times in the future. men & women are equal in value, but we were not created for the same roles. & that's *more* than okay, it's beautiful. & God's will is the safest place to be. since i tend to have a hard time articulating my thoughts, here are some bullet points.women are a gift. we were quite literally created to be a helpmeet. we are needed. we are necessary. we have a divine purpose. "i don't want anyone treating me as a person rather than as a woman".a point made that i find interesting - we often see women on a mission to prove "we can do everything a man can do!" (which we cannot), yet, we don't often, if at all, see men trying to prove they can do everything a woman can do (which they can't).people often assume that women embracing the more feminine roles is because of the western societal standards. but if that were true, why do we have yet to discover a successful matriarchal society? globally - villages, tribes, etc. have men as the hunters & warriors, & women as the caregivers & nurturers. is it because we were wired that way?freedom lies in God's will, not rebelling against it. "by being a jellyfish, the jellyfish glorifies its Creator, for by being a jellyfish it fulfills its Creator's command." just like a sailboat sails most beautifully when it sails with the wind, not against it. it's fulfilling it's purpose."if she was going to make her way in a man's world, she had to be a lady." LOVE THIS QUOTE SO MUCH."you did in fact marry only a sinner, & so did he. it is grace you both need.""snoring is the sweetest sound in the world. ask any widow." this hit my soul. hard."you can't find the meaning of a rose by pulling it apart." was such a fabulous quote in regards to not digging too deeply into such trivial things.

WOW. Every word, sentence, chapter is GOLD! A must read for every female. 10/10. Love the size of the book. I have learned so much from reading this. Took me 1 day to read couldnt put it down lol. Very biblical.

This book is in my top five for women. A quick read, but so profound. This edition has very small print, my one caveat is for it to be printed in a hardback with a larger font so women over 40 can enjoy it without reading glasses. Still, absolutely amazing and such a timely word for today's confused culture.

Written in a series of personal conversations to her daughter, Elizabeth Elliot passes on her wisdom gained from life, love, and the Lord. She expresses many thoughts I want to express to my own daughter before embarking on marriage. It is an easy read, and food for the soul.

I love a E. Elliot and this book. It’s getting to read old letters from someone with so much wisdom and grace. I bought this as a gift for several friends for Christmas this year. It’s just so encouraging and makes me love being a woman.

An absolute pleasure to read! Women in all stages of life can benefit from this book, it just features so much good Christian femininity and womanhood that we all tend to experience

Elizabeth Elliot shared frank feminine truth in a series of letters to her daughter during the months leading up to her marriage. In doing so she created a wealth of sage, godly, actionable counsel for every woman who has an ear to hear and a heart to follow God's intention for the glorious gift of womanhood in general, and in marriage specifically. Hers is a rare voice sharing rare wisdom in today's chaotic climate. A pithy, enjoyable, needed read.