The veteran author has tackled big subjects before, including faith, slavery, mother-daughter relationships and an affair between a married woman and a monk. You won’t be disappointed.JESUS, MARY - AND ANA Writing a novel about Jesus’ wife takes chutzpah, which Sue Monk Kidd appears to have. If you need a summer read that will capture your attention with an emotional story and beautiful writing, check out The Book of Longings by Sue Monk Kidd. I picked this book up simply because I thought the premise of this story would be interesting.

I’ve strayed from the church and struggled with my faith for a few years now so I really didn’t expect to be as moved by this novel as I was. I was a bit surprised by this emotional response, honestly. The last thirty pages or so left me weeping as I finished this book around four o’clock this morning. However, I was hooked once Ana and Jesus started their life together in Nazareth. I really couldn’t tell you why it was so slow for me. I will warn you that the first fifty to a hundred pages were a bit slow for me.

It is very clear that she spent countless hours researching traditions, beliefs, and ways of life of this period. She was able to paint a very accurate picture of what life would be like during this time period in Galilee. It is definitely the best book I’ve read so far this year but it will probably end up being one of my all time favorite books.įrom a historical perspective, Kidd did an outstanding job. The Book of Longings was one of the most beautiful books I’ve read. I don’t think anyone else could have written this book. Sue Monk Kidd, a wonderful writer, tackled such a wonderful and imaginative subject. I can’t tell you much more without spoiling the book but I’m sure you can use your imagination to see where parts of her story goes as her brother, Judas, betrays both her and her husband. The story follows the rest of Ana’s life through all the triumphs and tragedies. Ana leaves her family home to live with Jesus in Nazareth. Her father, Herod Antipas’ head scribe, teaches Ana to read and write and she is determined to record the stories of women that are often forgotten.Īna meets Jesus in a crowded marketplace and through a serious of fateful events, they end up married.

The story begins with Ana as a fourteen year old girl with a hunger for writing. The story is very much about Ana but Jesus is a wonderful character in the story, a very human and lovable character. The Book of Longings tells the story of Ana, sister of Judas and wife of Jesus of Nazareth. So, you’re probably wondering what this book is about. I can easily say that this is one of the top five contenders for the best book I read in 2020. This morning I sat in a dimly lit room and feverishly finished the last one hundred pages of The Book of Longings by Sue Monk Kidd. However, I have a book that I just have to take the time to write about and share with you.

The longing by sue monk kidd