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4.24 AVERAGE
4.24 AVERAGE
It’s hard to put into words how I feel about this book. It was not a story that was a page turner, or one that had me flying through the pages. It is a story to be savored. In a way, because it includes many events from the Bible, it is a story that we already know. But for the book to be from the fictional Ana’s perspective brings about a beautiful book of biblical feminism. Growing up and going to Christian school I didn’t realize how deprived of female Bible stories we were. The writing here is just gorgeous. Multiple times I was brought to tears because I was so moved, even when the events were not necessarily “sad”. What a gorgeous story about the longing inside all of us to have our voice heard while we are on this earth.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
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:
No
2.5 stars
What I appreciate about this book:
1. The research involved and how life during that time was depicted
2. Showing how the man Jesus could have lived.
3. The idea of the story
Personally I don’t believe Jesus is god and so that aspect of the story doesn’t bother me. It doesn’t matter whether he had a wife or not, IMO.
What I find disappointing about this book:
1. The character of Ana - she was not impressive at all. She used people and was pretty stuck on herself.
2. Conveniently, Ana is not a witness to Jesus’s life as “messiah “
3. Ana doesn’t seem that affected by her supposedly great husband.
What I appreciate about this book:
1. The research involved and how life during that time was depicted
2. Showing how the man Jesus could have lived.
3. The idea of the story
Personally I don’t believe Jesus is god and so that aspect of the story doesn’t bother me. It doesn’t matter whether he had a wife or not, IMO.
What I find disappointing about this book:
1. The character of Ana - she was not impressive at all. She used people and was pretty stuck on herself.
2. Conveniently, Ana is not a witness to Jesus’s life as “messiah “
3. Ana doesn’t seem that affected by her supposedly great husband.
This book has left quite an impression on me. It has sent shivers down my spine and left me with tears in my eyes. What a beautiful historical fiction of the human life of Jesus and of Ana, a woman who’s given a voice and whose stories speak to my own heart’s longings. This story was beautifully written and so well-researched. Sue Monk Kidd, you are an inspiration!
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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:
Complicated
2 stars for the storyline. To me it was just "okay". I remember reading, and being completely captivated by, The Invention of Wings. This one ... meh. And why did she need to be the wife of Jesus? This isn't coming from a place of being religiously offended; there just didn't seem a need for this to be the premise. He plays such a small role in the story and she plays no role in his calling. It felt like a superfluous storyline. Looking forward to bookclub to see if I missed something.
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Great book that has a new spin on the Jesus narrative. Good writing and connection with the characters. I would have given this 3.5 stars if I could.