A review by gem114
The Book of Longings by Sue Monk Kidd

informative reflective slow-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

The Book of Longings is one of the most memorable books I've read this year. I know this one will stay with me for a long time, and I can definitely see myself rereading it. Having grown up Catholic, I would say I've spent a lot of time thinking about Jesus, and very little of that thought was about what he was like prior to beginning his ministry. Similarly, I've thought a lot about Mary, but very little about what her life and the lives of other women were like at the time. The Book of Longings is a beautiful exploration of both, with a focus on the latter. It is speculative historical fiction about a hypothetical wife of Jesus and her own longing for a voice. Like the Jesus I was taught about growing up, Ana challenges the status quo. She is progressive for her time, an educated woman willing to rebel against the path set by her parents in order to pursue her own vision for her future. Her story is a powerful one, both tragic and inspiring. I truly enjoyed considering Ana, who, if she were real, would be (in Sue Monk Kidd's words) the most silenced woman in history. 
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