Reviews

The Book of Longings by Sue Monk Kidd

bibi003's review against another edition

5.0

I absolutely loved this novel. It has everything I look for in a soul-affirming feminist story: brilliant, powerful women working against a patriarchal system; sisterhood; and the courageous pursuit of one's dreams, despite society's best efforts to squash them.

In the style of Diamant's "The Red Tent," Sue Monk Kidd gives a voice and life to the forgotten women of the Bible. Although the character of Ana is imagined (we don't know of Jesus was married or not), this book inspires me to question how the past 2000 years could have been different if women's stories had been told and their voices heard all along.

This book made me so happy and so sad. I cried so hard I woke up my kids. Read this book if you love to be punched really hard in the feels in the best possible way.

jayco's review against another edition

5.0

I don’t believe in god, but I do believe in stories and this is a beautiful one.

estachew's review against another edition

5.0

I loved this book. I loved the imagined re-telling of the story of Jesus, but in the perspective of a woman, his wife, but her own independent life, thoughts, struggles, and desires. I'm not a very religious person, but it felt appropriate to read this over Christmas. Honestly, I would read the entire Bible if it was written in the way Sue Monk Kidd writes, and I actually have developed a greater appreciation for Jesus and his teachings. I discussed this book and the ponderings over Jesus' humanity, if he had a wife, his family, and what life was like back then over the holidays. This book was really enjoyable.

rachelherrington's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

knotmeg's review against another edition

challenging emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

emilyrosebooks's review

adventurous emotional medium-paced

5.0

This reimagined story of the life of Jesus had he had a wife is so creative and thoughtful and absolutely brilliant. Ana, Jesus' wife, is bold and daring and *if* she were real, would probably be considered the mother of feminism. Stunning novel!

stephaniesteen73's review against another edition

4.0

A very interesting concept, and a surprising ending.

haileybunde's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

The first 120ish pages of this book draggggged on for me and I was about to give up. But once I was hooked I was IN

I love Christian/ biblical history and I loved this feminist take on it. I found it legitimately thought provoking and extremely well researched. Also just very well written in general. That being said, if you aren’t interested in religion/ Biblical history, I’m not sure I’d recommend

thereadingsnail99's review against another edition

5.0

Without question the best book I've read so far of 2021, and perhaps one of my favorite books I have ever read.

rwilliamson's review against another edition

emotional informative mysterious reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75