The Book of Longings: A Novel (Unabridged)
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4.4 • 28 Ratings
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- $21.99
Publisher Description
“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.
APPLE BOOKS REVIEW
Ana is pretty unusual. For one thing, she’s far more educated and independent-minded than most women in first-century Galilee. She’s focused on writing the histories of the women overlooked in the Jewish scriptures—and on avoiding her father’s attempts to arrange a marriage for her. But when she meets a kindred spirit named Jesus, her mission in life takes on a whole new dimension. We fell in love with this inspired story, which is packed full of historical details. Ana is a deeply compelling character with a keen understanding of human nature and an inspiringly rebellious spirit. And did we mention that her father is a top advisor to Herod Antipas and her adopted brother is Judas? Mozhan Marnò’s narration underlines the emotional intensity that powers Sue Monk Kidd’s writing as Ana discovers that her personal power doesn’t just include her bravery and intelligence but her own divinity too.
