The Beloved Daughter by Alana Terry — Book Review

I just finished reading this  e-book I received  free through BookBub (www.bookbub.com– sign up at this site and you can receive offers for many free or discounted books for your e-reader).  I greatly prefer actual books, but with the library closed due to the pandemic, I have finished everything new I had on hand, and am now using my kindle (all part of the new norms we are having to find).

Although this is a fictionalized account, it accurately depicts the experience of one person who is part of the persecuted church.  Chung-Cha’s family is arrested and imprisoned in North Korea because of her father’s refusal to deny the Christian faith.  After the death of her parents, she is able to escape captivity and journey to China where she finds a “safe house” and is protected for a time.  She marries and while pregnant, she and her husband flee to South Korea.  Eventually both decide to return to China to help others in the underground church.  The story is written in Chung-Cha’s voice as an account of her life to her child, Ae-Cha (beloved daughter).

I won’t give away any more details, but be prepared to be shocked and saddened by the contents.  I found it a challenging “examination of conscience” to wonder –would I be willing/able to do this for my faith?  Could I really risk my comfortable life-style, my family’s well-being and even my life for Christ?

VERDICT:  4 STARS.  An easy read and worthwhile for a glimpse into the persecuted church in the world.

For more on the persecuted church, visit these posts:

Persecuted Saints

The Insanity of God by Nik Ripken–Book Review