What is *The Small Woman: The Heroic Story of Gladys Aylward* about?

This biography chronicles Gladys Aylward’s journey from a London housemaid to a missionary in 1930s China. It highlights her resilience in overcoming rejection from formal training programs, her dangerous solo trek to Yangcheng, and her work rescuing orphans during the Second Sino-Japanese War. The book emphasizes her faith-driven impact, including founding an orphanage and promoting Christianity in rural China.

Who should read *The Small Woman: The Heroic Story of Gladys Aylward*?

This book appeals to readers interested in missionary biographies, Christian perseverance, or 20th-century Chinese history. Educators, faith-based groups, and fans of inspirational true stories will find value in Aylward’s unconventional path and her advocacy for orphans and marginalized communities.

Is *The Small Woman* worth reading?

Yes, for its gripping narrative of courage and faith. Alan Burgess’s account reveals how Aylward’s determination transcended societal limitations, offering timeless lessons on resilience. While dramatized in parts, it remains a foundational text about cross-cultural missions and remains influential in Christian literature.

What were Gladys Aylward’s biggest challenges in China?

Aylward faced language barriers, political instability, and cultural resistance. She navigated wartime dangers, including a 27-day trek with 100 orphans to escape Japanese forces, and survived injuries from bombings. Her lack of formal missionary training initially led to skepticism from established organizations.

What does “Ai-weh-deh” mean, and why was Gladys Aylward called this?

“Ai-weh-deh” translates to “Virtuous One” in Chinese, a name locals gave Aylward for her compassionate work. It reflected her integration into the community, where she served as a foot inspector to combat foot-binding and advocated for women’s rights.

How did Gladys Aylward impact missionary work in China?

She became one of the first Western women to gain Chinese citizenship, blending evangelism with social reform. Her grassroots approach—running an inn for travelers to share stories of Christ—became a model for contextualized missions. She later established a leper colony and trained local pastors.

What is the controversy around *The Inn of the Sixth Happiness* movie?

The 1958 film controversially cast Ingrid Bergman (a tall Swedish actress) as Aylward, distorting her short stature and British working-class roots. It fictionalized romantic subplots and downplayed her religious motivations, which Aylward openly criticized.

How does *The Small Woman* compare to other missionary biographies?

Unlike formal theological accounts, Burgess emphasizes Aylward’s gritty, improvisational methods. It contrasts with works about institutional missionaries by showcasing solo female leadership in crisis settings, akin to biographies of Amy Carmichael or Lottie Moon.

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Gladys Aylward: The Little Woman

Gladys Aylward

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Rejected by missionary societies at 36, Gladys Aylward journeyed alone to China, saved 100 orphans during wartime, and inspired the Hollywood film "The Inn of the Sixth Happiness" - though she famously despised its fictional elements. Her extraordinary faith transformed countless lives.

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On October 15, 1932, I departed from Liverpool Street Station, feeling small and insignificant like Abraham and Moses, leaving everything behind with only God to help me.

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Gladys Aylward: The Little Woman

Gladys Aylward

4.39 (4750 Reviews)

Biography Inspiration History

Panoramica

Punti Chiave

Autore

Domande Frequenti

Esplora il Tuo Modo di Imparare

Riassunto Rapido10min

Senti il libro attraverso la voce dell'autore

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Cattura le idee chiave in un lampo per un apprendimento veloce

Divertente22min

Goditi il libro in modo divertente e coinvolgente

Migliore citazione da Gladys Aylward: The Little Woman

On October 15, 1932, I departed from Liverpool Street Station, feeling small and insignificant like Abraham and Moses, leaving everything behind with only God to help me.

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When God Calls the Unqualified

00:00

A young British woman with barely any education stood before a prestigious missionary society, hoping they'd send her to China. They rejected her outright-no qualifications, too old at twenty-eight, unlikely to master Chinese. Most people would have accepted defeat. But Gladys Aylward wasn't most people. With ninepence in her pocket (roughly the cost of a cheap sandwich today), she bought a one-way train ticket across Europe, through war-torn Russia, into the unknown. What possesses someone to risk everything on what seems like foolishness? Her story reveals a truth we've forgotten: the most unlikely people often accomplish the most extraordinary things when they stop waiting for permission and start moving forward in faith. Gladys wasn't seeking adventure or fame. She'd wanted to be an actress, working as a parlormaid while taking evening drama classes. After a profound spiritual awakening, she felt an unmistakable pull toward China's millions who'd never heard of Christ. When every door slammed shut, she remembered Abraham and Moses-ordinary people called to impossible tasks. She saved every penny from her parlormaid wages until she had enough for the railway fare. On October 15, 1932, she left everything familiar behind, carrying only her Bible, a devotional book, and a faith that seemed absurd to everyone watching.

Trapped Behind the Iron Curtain

The Mule Inn and the Mandarin's Decree

Ninepence and the Unwanted Children

War, Revival, and the General's Conversion

The Hundred Children's Impossible Journey

The Legacy of the Small Woman with a Great God

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"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

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"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

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"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

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"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

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"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

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"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

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@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

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"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

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"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

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"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

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"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

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"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

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When God Calls the Unqualified

Trapped Behind the Iron Curtain

The Mule Inn and the Mandarin's Decree

Ninepence and the Unwanted Children

War, Revival, and the General's Conversion

The Hundred Children's Impossible Journey

The Legacy of the Small Woman with a Great God

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Punti chiave

When God Calls the Unqualified

Trapped Behind the Iron Curtain

The Mule Inn and the Mandarin's Decree

Ninepence and the Unwanted Children

War, Revival, and the General's Conversion

The Hundred Children's Impossible Journey

The Legacy of the Small Woman with a Great God