The Book of Longings

A Novel

De: Sue Monk Kidd

Narrado por: Mozhan Marnò, Sue Monk Kidd

"An epic masterpiece that is a triumph of insight and storytelling." (Associated Press)

“A true masterpiece.” (Glennon Doyle, author of Untamed)

Named a Most Anticipated Book of 2020 by O, the Oprah Magazine, Good Morning America/ABC-TV, Good Housekeeping, Bustle, Time, Marie Claire, and The Millions.

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 best-selling 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 18-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.

©2020 Sue Monk Kidd (P)2020 Penguin Audio

Reseñas de la Crítica

“I kept having to close this novel and breathe deeply, again and again. A radical re­imagining of the New Testament that reflects on women's longing and silencing and awakening, it is a true masterpiece.” (Glennon Doyle, author of Untamed)

“[Kidd’s] painstaking research and artful crafting of setting and character ensures that The Book of Longings is not just an extraordinary novel, but one with lasting power...[her] brilliance shines through on so many levels, but not the least in her masterful, reverential approach to capturing Jesus of Nazareth as a fully human young man...[The Book of Longings] is an epic masterpiece that is a triumph of insight and storytelling.” (Associated Press)

Retelling a long known tale

Sue Monk Kidd wrote beautifully and adds another style of writing: historical fiction from another perspective.

Masterpiece ✨

I am so moved and forever touched by this beautiful story of Ana and Jesus. Thank you, SMK, for this treasure that I will carry with me always.

Captivating

I binged this book. I loved how Sue Monk Kidd imagined Anna and wove I’m so many details about the time she lived in and about Jesus. It is a book that leads to so many questions that I believe I will be researching it’s prompts for a long time to come. Fabulous.

WOW - AMAZING just amazing

Open your mind and enjoy another possibiltiy. If you are highly into religeous dogma, I wouldn't reccommend this for you, because I'm sure you'll be offended. Oh dear, blaspheme!!! But if you're open to all possibilites, and enjoy historical fiction, you will love this book. This book literally floored me. Strong women in history who had their voices taken away. I can't recomend this book enough.

ADDICTIVE

Couldn't stop listening. Loved the whole thing. The characters, the stories, the places it took me.

Exquisite, eye-opening, and nostalgic

I devoured this book in 2 days. Some reviews mentioned that is book was sacrilegious and the main character is self indulgent. Honestly, these reviews made me want to read the book even more! There is no question women have been written out of history and historically, when women express their own desires, they were criticized, harmed, or killed. I was eager to read for myself to see if these reviews were true, or if it was just the same trope of silencing women.

This book unlocked new worlds and possibilities, but also felt deeply nostalgic and familiar. Kidd brings ancient middle eastern culture and politics to life and explores the concept of religious figures living as normal people. Most importantly, she depicts how women, with their own ambitions and longings, navigate a world controlled by men.

Best Book I have ever read!

Thank you for this story!! I loved every page of this book. I find strength and my voice ... a great soulful connection.

To Wed or Not To Wed

I was raised to believe that Jesus was single and celibate. It wasn't until I read the Bible completely through, probably in my early 30's, that I became aware that Scripture did not explicitly state that as fact. Scripture did not address Jesus' marital status at all. I didn't spend a lot of time thinking about whether or not Jesus had been married, but I never understood the harm in wondering, "what if?"

I have been a fan of Sue Monk Kidd and her writing for many years, since her Guideposts days. When she began to ask more "what if?" questions in her spiritual journey and to give women more of a voice in history and in current situations in her writings, many previous fans abandoned her.

Anna's story, as told in "The Book of Longings" is related so naturally and with such attention to historic detail, that I was captured and enchanted from the beginning. I remained so until the conclusion.

If I had wondered what Jesus' wife might have been like, this beautiful narrative would have answered every one of my questions. The circumstances of Jesus and Anna's betrothal may have been somewhat unlikely, but I can totally see Jesus jumping in to stop the stoning and claiming Anna in the process.

I loved the scene of the phalanx of women of Jesus' family and friends joining Anna as they followed Jesus to Golgotha, to his crucifixion.

I loved that Anna returned to the community of scholars and worshippers and (spoiler alert) became part of its leadership, surrounded by her "family" of strong spiritual women.

Thank you to Sue, who continues to widen the path of her spiritual journey, and to make room for us to join her.

A unique and important exploration of Jesus through the eyes of....his wife

Sue Monk Kidd has never disappointed me in the way she illuminates the lives of her characters. I had no problem visualizing the young Jesus; teasing brother, and charismatic yet believable, guy in the crowd. This is very much the story of the important women in Jesus’ life. Not much time is spent describing his ministry or miracles. I love that .the author gives women a voice, as they once had. Highest recommendation. ❤️

beautiful

I loved this book! one is often left wondering about the women in the bible! thanks for giving a fictional account to keep us all thinking ❤