The Book of Longings
Ratings45
Average rating4.5
15
Ratings45
Average rating4.5
“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 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.
Reviews with the most likes.
beautiful story, nothing like I expected. I'm so glad our book club picked this book because otherwise i would not have chosen it on my own. I loved the protagonist. The writing was lyrical and a pleasure to consume.
My only complaint is that Jesus was made to be a husband rather than just a character and piece of this incredible story. I would have preferred the sister of Judas being the tie into the gospel, only because the lack of biblical truths about Jesus and his character leaves his character in the book to feel incomplete.
Just had my heart filled to the brim and then gutted by this book. A friend recommended it to me, so I didn't look at the summary and just dove in. What a gorgeously written book. The language is poetic and heartfelt. Seeing everything through Ana's eyes was an organic-feeling primer for the class system and the catalyst for many religious movements in Biblical times. This book felt like a sister book to Circe by Madeline Miller in many ways.
