“An extraordinary novel . . . a triumph of insight and storytelling.” —Associated Press“A true masterpiece.” —Glennon Doyle, author of Untamed An extraordinary story set in the first century about a woman who finds her voice and her destiny, from the celebrated number one New York Times bestselling author of The Secret Life of Bees and The Invention of WingsIn her mesmerizing fourth work of … Bees and The Invention of Wings
In her mesmerizing fourth work of fiction, Sue Monk Kidd takes an audacious approach to history and brings her acclaimed narrative gifts to imagine the story of a young woman named Ana. Raised in a wealthy family with ties to the ruler of Galilee, she is rebellious and ambitious, with a brilliant mind and a daring spirit. She engages in furtive scholarly pursuits and writes narratives about neglected and silenced women. Ana is expected to marry an older widower, a prospect that horrifies her. An encounter with eighteen-year-old Jesus changes everything.
Their marriage evolves with love and conflict, humor and pathos in Nazareth, where Ana makes a home with Jesus, his brothers, and their mother, Mary. Ana’s pent-up longings intensify amid the turbulent resistance to Rome’s occupation of Israel, partially led by her brother, Judas. She is sustained by her fearless aunt Yaltha, who harbors a compelling secret. When Ana commits a brazen act that puts her in peril, she flees to Alexandria, where startling revelations and greater dangers unfold, and she finds refuge in unexpected surroundings. Ana determines her fate during a stunning convergence of events considered among the most impactful in human history.
Grounded in meticulous research and written with a reverential approach to Jesus’s life that focuses on his humanity, The Book of Longings is an inspiring, unforgettable account of one woman’s bold struggle to realize the passion and potential inside her, while living in a time, place and culture devised to silence her. It is a triumph of storytelling both timely and timeless, from a masterful writer at the height of her powers.
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Not what I expected.
loved the concept, very interesting and well written.
There are almost no words. This book gripped me with fervency, broke my heart wide open and challenged me to view things through a different lens. I adore all of Sue Monk Kidd’s novels for both her storytelling ability and for an expressive kind of writing that, to me, feels pure of heart. That’s what this book was to me, a giant outpouring of heart. I will cherish my copy.
I liked it. The writing is beautiful. The author is clear that she is writing about the historical Jesus, and while I don’t agree with all her literary choices I did find it respectful as a believer. Mostly it is the story of a first-century Jewish woman who wants to be a writer.
Interesting perspective.
I’ve already read this book twice, and I’ll probably read it again sometime. It’s that good. It’s the story of Ana, who was Jesus’ wife, but she was so much more than that. She wanted to write and to live her own life, goals which were virtually impossible for women of that time. You will cheer her on, as I did, and enter into her longings and her successes. Don’t miss this one.
An unusual perspective about women and their impact on society during the time of Christ.
Wow! I loved this book. It really made me think. I even mentioned to my husband what it was about and it started a conversation between us about beliefs and theories. I’d like to believe that this was the true story about Jesus’s life as a young adult. Since we don’t really know I love that this author wrote a story to stir our imagination. She really has a way with words. This book was beautifully written.
I loved the story of Ana in parallel with Jesus!
This is a brave, inspirational re-imagining of the life of Jesus as a married man. Ana’s story will stay with me forever. Beautifully written.
“The day Ana appeared, I knew one thing about her besides her name. I knew that what she wanted most was a voice. If Jesus actually did have a wife, and history unfolded exactly the way it has, then she would be the most silenced woman in history and the woman most in need of a voice. I’ve tried to give her one.”
I can always gauge how much I really loved a book when I have a strange feeling of sadness when I finish it. With this one, it was almost overwhelming.
When I first skimmed through the synopsis, I did not think I would enjoy this book at all. I am so thankful that I gave in to the peer pressure of positive reviews. It was mesmerizing and an extremely interesting concept to consider. I have recently been reading a lot of books with strong and thoughtful female leads and Ana did not disappoint. I found myself constantly pausing to ponder something I just read. Yes! PONDER! This book made me feel a whole lot of feelings people!!!!
While it is mainly about Ana, I love how Jesus is depicted. It’s neat to think about how almost every single person on this planet has come up with their own idea of Jesus and it’s fascinating to read about someone else’s interpretation of him. I think she did it respectfully and beautifully.
Also highly recommend reading the Author’s Note. Makes me have even more of an appreciation for this poetic masterpiece.
Sorry for the long review but to sum it all up: 10/10 would definitely recommend
Transformative!
I really wanted to read this book but I was not sure how I was going to feel about it. I spent my teenage years being very religious. More in the since of study and research. I read many stories and different takes on the stories in the Bible. So I was not sure if I was going to be able to read this story without comparing it to everything I already knew. In the end I really enjoyed this story.
First and foremost this is the story of Ana the wife of Jesus. Jesus having a wife is not a new concept I have heard many believe that Mary Magdalene was his wife, because she is mentioned in the Bible. I know that this is a very hot topic with some people. The concept of him having a wife is based on society of that time. So yes it is very possible that he did.
Now for hard part… telling you how I feel without spoiling you for this story.
The first 3/4 of this book kept my interest and I really enjoyed it but that last 1/4 of the book blew me away. The writing in this book is beautiful and Ana is a passionate and loving person. If Jesus did have a wife I hope she was like Ana. All of the characters in this story felt human, yes, even Jesus. This is the most real I think I have ever read him to be and I enjoyed her take on him so much..This book made me feel so many things and I almost cried. I don’t cry while reading books, but this one almost got me.
One more thing if you pick up this book make sure to also read the Authors Note at the end. At least for my research loving heart I fount that to be interesting too.
Profoundly creative, inspirational, thought-provoking, and deeply engaging. Author Sue Monk Kidd took a meaningful premise and gave it a unique spin. I loved the suspension of disbelief I was gifted through this story. The characters are well worth following, and the painstaking research that must have gone into the writing of this novel was seamlessly delivered to such a pitch that the reader is lulled by its authenticity but never loses the sense that they are spending time with a gorgeous novel.
What an amazing read. Picked by the book club I belong to as an extra book to read this month. I am soo glad. Inspirational but sad that as women over 2000 years and we have evolved very little.
It’s the “what if Jesus had a wife” book that draws you into what Jesus’s mate might have been like. Amazing research was done to even begin this novel. You will fall in love with the characters!
Even though we assume Jesus never married, the author’s research into those biblical times is so interesting.
Ana is filled with longings to write, read, learn, and study. As a young girl, she has already learned that a woman is not valued for any of these things in her early first century AD Palestinian society. Her father wishes for her to marry an ugly, old man she does not even know, in order to further his social connections. But Ana has her dreams, her longings, and she fervently prays for these longings in the incantation bowl that her dear aunt has given her. She had already written thirteen scrolls, stories of women heroes. How can she marry him? How can she marry anyone? Her feelings change when she meets Jesus.
As time passes, she finally marries her true love, Jesus of Nazareth. However, much of their married life they are separated by either his trips to the city to earn money for the family, or because he is serving his ministry. She endures much pain, but always finds comfort in her writings.
This work by Sue Monk Kidd is a work of fiction. She states in her author’s notes that follow her story, that she wondered how Jesus’s story might have gone if he had been married, and this is her tale. She did much research into Jesus’s life and into the time period and the life in this area at the time. However, she does change some details to fit the plot of her book.
This is an amazing book! The storyline follows Ana from the year 16 AD to the year 60 AD. The characters come alive on her pages, as Ana struggles with the norms of her society as they conflict with her longings. The way Ms. Kidd writes this, you almost feel propelled back to the first century! The prose is descriptive, clear, and moving. Be prepared to cry and cry. It all feels so real!
Interesting historically, with fascinating character development although somehow the story lines don’t hang together as cohesively as other Sue Monk Kidd novels.
So unique and well done. Loved it.