The Book of Longings
13 journalers for this copy...
"'I am Ana. I was the wife of Jesus.'
Raised in a wealthy family in Sepphoris with ties to the ruler of Galilee, Ana is rebellious and ambitious, a relentless seeker with a brilliant, curious mind and a daring spirit. She yearns for a pursuit worthy of her life, but finds no outlet for her considerable talents. Defying the expectations placed on women, she engages in furtive scholarly pursuits and writes secret narratives about neglected and silenced women. When she meets the eighteen-year-old Jesus, each is drawn to and enriched by the other’s spiritual and philosophical ideas. He becomes a floodgate for her intellect, but also the awakener of her heart.
Their marriage unfolds with love and conflict, humor and pathos in Nazareth, where Ana makes a home with Jesus, his brothers, James and Simon, and their mother, Mary. Here, Ana’s pent-up longings intensify amid the turbulent resistance to the Roman occupation of Israel, partially led by her charismatic adopted brother, Judas. She is sustained by her indomitable aunt Yaltha, who is searching for her long-lost daughter, as well as by other women, including her friend Tabitha, who is sold into slavery after she was raped, and Phasaelis, the shrewd wife of Herod Antipas. Ana’s impetuous streak occasionally invites danger. When one such foray forces her to flee Nazareth for her safety shortly before Jesus’s public ministry begins, she makes her way with Yaltha to Alexandria, where she eventually finds refuge and purpose in unexpected surroundings.
Grounded in meticulous historical research and written with a reverential approach to Jesus’s life that focuses on his humanity, The Book of Longings is an inspiring 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."
Raised in a wealthy family in Sepphoris with ties to the ruler of Galilee, Ana is rebellious and ambitious, a relentless seeker with a brilliant, curious mind and a daring spirit. She yearns for a pursuit worthy of her life, but finds no outlet for her considerable talents. Defying the expectations placed on women, she engages in furtive scholarly pursuits and writes secret narratives about neglected and silenced women. When she meets the eighteen-year-old Jesus, each is drawn to and enriched by the other’s spiritual and philosophical ideas. He becomes a floodgate for her intellect, but also the awakener of her heart.
Their marriage unfolds with love and conflict, humor and pathos in Nazareth, where Ana makes a home with Jesus, his brothers, James and Simon, and their mother, Mary. Here, Ana’s pent-up longings intensify amid the turbulent resistance to the Roman occupation of Israel, partially led by her charismatic adopted brother, Judas. She is sustained by her indomitable aunt Yaltha, who is searching for her long-lost daughter, as well as by other women, including her friend Tabitha, who is sold into slavery after she was raped, and Phasaelis, the shrewd wife of Herod Antipas. Ana’s impetuous streak occasionally invites danger. When one such foray forces her to flee Nazareth for her safety shortly before Jesus’s public ministry begins, she makes her way with Yaltha to Alexandria, where she eventually finds refuge and purpose in unexpected surroundings.
Grounded in meticulous historical research and written with a reverential approach to Jesus’s life that focuses on his humanity, The Book of Longings is an inspiring 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."
This is my pick for the best book of 2021 roundabout. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Those among you who are familiar with the story of Jesus will recognise elements from it, but this story definitely stands alone, as it is all about Ana. Also bear in mind that this book is intended as a work of fiction.
Shipping order:
1. Estelle1806
2. Mcsar
3. Mathgirl40
4. Valpete
5. Dark-Draco
6. Ythan
7. Cross-Patch
8. Poodlesister
9. Earthcaroleanne
10. Greenbadger
11. Grovalskii
12. Paulanni
Shipping order:
1. Estelle1806
2. Mcsar
3. Mathgirl40
4. Valpete
5. Dark-Draco
6. Ythan
7. Cross-Patch
8. Poodlesister
9. Earthcaroleanne
10. Greenbadger
11. Grovalskii
12. Paulanni
On its way to estelle1806. Book and label travelling separately.
Received the book about a week ago, and started reading it straightaway.
Received the label today, thank you, Fifna!
Received the label today, thank you, Fifna!
I was interested and curious at first by the topic and the era it was based in, but I did not love it in the end. It felt a bit too much like a chronology of events and I felt Jesus was added to the story unnaturally. I was more attracted to story of the aunt Yaltha then to the main character Ana, for which I could not warm up. Overall interesting but not enthralling.
Thanks for sharing, Fifna!
Thanks for sharing, Fifna!
Journal Entry 6 by 
estelle1806
at Book Roundabout, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- Canada on Friday, January 28, 2022
estelle1806 at Book Roundabout, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- Canada on Friday, January 28, 2022
Released 2 yrs ago (1/31/2022 UTC) at Book Roundabout, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- Canada
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
On its way across the Atlantic as part of the 2021 Roundabout.
Please let us know when you release it again...
Please let us know when you release it again...
This book is with me now. Thanks estelle1806 for the stamps and stickers that accompanied it!
The story on its own is an excellent piece of historical fiction, showing the challenges women faced in that time period. I found the novel well paced with some really riveting moments. However, the context of Jesus's life and death adds much additional interest. I particularly liked reading the author's note at the end of the book, as it gave insight into the book.
By the way, I agree with estelle1806 that Yaltha's story was particularly interesting!
Thank you, Fifna, for contributing this book to the roundabout!
By the way, I agree with estelle1806 that Yaltha's story was particularly interesting!
Thank you, Fifna, for contributing this book to the roundabout!
This book is on its way to mcsar now.
The book arrived. I like Sue Monk Kidd and can't wait to start this.
The book is beautifully written and the historical world is brought to life. I enjoyed the book very much and thought it a great choice for the roundabout. I am also not a fan of Ana, and I like the other characters much more than Ana.
On its way to valpete. Enjoy!
Received. Looking forward to reading it.
I was skeptical at first when I learned this was a fictional account of Ana, the wife of Jesus. However, I did enjoy reading it, filling in the gaps of my Catholic upbringing of the story of Jesus. An excellent pick for the Roundabout.
Off to the next reader.
Received- Thank you
I have to admit to struggling with this to start with. I suppose its that sense that no matter how horrible Ana's lot is in life, nothing fundamental will change - it'll take a few more millennia for women's lib to get a say. However, as the story progressed, I did get drawn in, especially when Jesus comes onto the scene. The author does a good job of creating a normal, everyday life for him that is completely feasible while not actually disregarding or disputing the stories in the bible. But this is actually Ana's story and, although his wife, she barely gets drawn in to the legendary stories. Except at the end - although you obviously know that it is coming, the scene around the crucifixion is harrowing and tearful. Told from her point of view, it brings a realness to it all that I suppose I'd never really thought about before.
Journal Entry 18 by 
dark-draco
at -- By Post or by Hand--, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- United Kingdom on Thursday, June 30, 2022
dark-draco at -- By Post or by Hand--, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- United Kingdom on Thursday, June 30, 2022
Released 1 yr ago (6/30/2022 UTC) at -- By Post or by Hand--, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- United Kingdom
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Off to its next reader
Here with me.
Thanks very much.
Thanks very much.
I enjoyed reading Ana's story, I found it quick and easy to read.
I don't come from a religious background and I often wondered how this story would be perceived by those who are religious.
This was my first time reading this author and I'd like to read more of her in future.
I don't come from a religious background and I often wondered how this story would be perceived by those who are religious.
This was my first time reading this author and I'd like to read more of her in future.
Journal Entry 21 by Ythan at -- By Post or by Hand--, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- United Kingdom on Wednesday, August 3, 2022
Released 1 yr ago (8/3/2022 UTC) at -- By Post or by Hand--, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- United Kingdom
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
On its way to Cross-patch.
Journal Entry 22 by 
Cross-patch
at Leicester, Leicestershire United Kingdom on Saturday, August 6, 2022
Cross-patch at Leicester, Leicestershire United Kingdom on Saturday, August 6, 2022
Thank you, it has arrived in sunny Leicestershire.
Journal Entry 23 by Cross-patch at Leicester, Leicestershire United Kingdom on Saturday, September 3, 2022
Cross-patch at Leicester, Leicestershire United Kingdom on Saturday, September 3, 2022
Poverty and patriarchal control; not much changes in some societies. The representation of life at that time felt authentic with much of the storytelling riveting and instructive. I feel more informed and sympathetic to the struggles just to put food on the table and keep safe. Thank you for adding this gem to my world.
Journal Entry 24 by Cross-patch at -- By Post or by Hand--, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- United Kingdom on Saturday, September 3, 2022
Cross-patch at -- By Post or by Hand--, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- United Kingdom on Saturday, September 3, 2022
Released 1 yr ago (9/3/2022 UTC) at -- By Post or by Hand--, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- United Kingdom
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Off to the next in line.
Journal Entry 25 by 
Poodlesister
at Walthamstow, Greater London United Kingdom on Wednesday, September 7, 2022
Poodlesister at Walthamstow, Greater London United Kingdom on Wednesday, September 7, 2022
Just arrived this morning. Thanks for the BC bookplates!
Journal Entry 26 by Poodlesister at Walthamstow, Greater London United Kingdom on Friday, September 30, 2022
Poodlesister at Walthamstow, Greater London United Kingdom on Friday, September 30, 2022
I really enjoyed this. I started off a bit unsure but got more and more gripped.
Journal Entry 27 by Poodlesister at -- By Post or by Hand--, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- United Kingdom on Friday, September 30, 2022
Poodlesister at -- By Post or by Hand--, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- United Kingdom on Friday, September 30, 2022
Released 1 yr ago (10/1/2022 UTC) at -- By Post or by Hand--, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- United Kingdom
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
This will go to earthcaroleanne when I next visit the post office.
Journal Entry 28 by earthcaroleanne at Falkirk, Scotland United Kingdom on Saturday, October 15, 2022
earthcaroleanne at Falkirk, Scotland United Kingdom on Saturday, October 15, 2022
Arrived today. Thank you for all the other goodies too.
I didn’t think I would enjoy this book when I discovered it was about Jesus but it was so interesting, it held my attention from beginning to end. You could say it is an audacious subject to write about - and yet when you think of the negation of women throughout our paternalistic history, especially by the Church, it is so lovely to have so many women's perspectives. It was intense and moving.
Journal Entry 30 by 
greenbadger
at St Albans, Hertfordshire United Kingdom on Thursday, December 8, 2022
greenbadger at St Albans, Hertfordshire United Kingdom on Thursday, December 8, 2022
It's arrived, thank you!
Journal Entry 31 by greenbadger at St Albans, Hertfordshire United Kingdom on Monday, December 19, 2022
greenbadger at St Albans, Hertfordshire United Kingdom on Monday, December 19, 2022
Ana, a rich young girl in Galilee, longs only to write. When her parents betroth her to an ugly old man she's very displeased, and on the same day she meets a young handsome carpenter named Jesus. An interesting retelling of the story of Jesus through a young woman's eyes, although this is much more Ana's story than Jesus's as she fights against the restrictions on women in her world. I don't normally agree with adding characters to historical stories but in this case Jesus's story has been reinterpreted so many times, and so little is really known, like for example whether he was married. I enjoyed this.
Journal Entry 32 by greenbadger at St Albans, Hertfordshire United Kingdom on Friday, December 30, 2022
greenbadger at St Albans, Hertfordshire United Kingdom on Friday, December 30, 2022
Released 1 yr ago (12/30/2022 UTC) at St Albans, Hertfordshire United Kingdom
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Posted to grovalskii, next in the ray.
This just arrived yesterday. I'm very pleased it didn't get lost (as I feared). Looking forward to reading it!
Excellent book and wonderful finish to the 2021 Roundabout for me as this was my last book.
I love Sue Monk Kidd's storytelling. And I found it very enjoyable to read the biblical narrative from a woman's view.
The book will travel on to Finland tomorrow morning.
I love Sue Monk Kidd's storytelling. And I found it very enjoyable to read the biblical narrative from a woman's view.
The book will travel on to Finland tomorrow morning.
Journal Entry 35 by Paulanni at Riihimäki, Kanta-Häme / Egentliga Tavastland Finland on Friday, February 10, 2023
Paulanni at Riihimäki, Kanta-Häme / Egentliga Tavastland Finland on Friday, February 10, 2023
It arrived today - looks very interesting.
Journal Entry 36 by Paulanni at Riihimäki, Kanta-Häme / Egentliga Tavastland Finland on Thursday, August 24, 2023
Paulanni at Riihimäki, Kanta-Häme / Egentliga Tavastland Finland on Thursday, August 24, 2023
And now, after 6 months, I have finally finished the book. So sorry about the delay. I don't know why it took so long, as I found it interesting and easy to read. I especially appreciated the lively way it portrayed the historical setting. I had mixed feelings about the new interpretations of the life of Jesus, but then I did remind myself that it was, indeed, a book of fiction. In the end, I enjoyed reading it. Thank you for sharing, Fifna.
As Fifna doesn't want the book back, it has finished the 2021 roundabout.
As Fifna doesn't want the book back, it has finished the 2021 roundabout.
