The Book Of Longings by Sue Monk Kidd

• Hardcover: 432 pages
• Publisher: Tinder Press (21 April 2020)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1472232496
• ISBN-13: 978-1472232496

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Synopsis

Ana is a rebellious young woman, a gifted writer with a curious, brilliant mind, who writes secret narratives about the neglected and silenced women around her. Raised in a wealthy family in Galilee, she is sheltered from the brutality of Rome’s occupation of Israel. Ana is expected to marry an elderly widower to further her father’s ambitions, a prospect that horrifies her. A chance encounter with the eighteen-year-old Jesus changes everything: his ideas and his passion are intoxicating.

Taking Ana on a journey she could never have imagined, The Book of Longings is a glorious evocation of a time and a place where astounding events unfolded, and of one woman’s fate when she fights to make her voice heard.

 

Review

The Book of Longings is the story of Ana, an educated, intelligent and strong willed young woman, all characteristics that embarrass her parents and make her stand out in society.  Under the control her father, on the day she meets her future betrothed, a man much older than herself, she also meets Jesus. He seems to understand her, they share similar  interests and he is willing to let her be her. Giving up her privileged lifestyle, she marries Jesus and starts a new life where she can shine and not be caged. This is Ana’s story, the  the story of other marginalised women, who not matter what their station in life, are ruled by and owned by men.

The first thing to point out with this book is that it is an imagined story, there is no reference to Jesus being married in religious texts,  but Sue Monk Kidd looks at what it would be like to be his wife if he did marry. This is historical fiction, and is not a theological text and is more about Jesus the man, the son, the brother, the carpenter and the husband. Ana’s story is the main focus of The Book of Longings, and through her we are witness to the important events of this period. Ana’s loves to read and write, not an attribute that is admired in a woman, and records the stories of the women left out from the Scriptures like Esther, Rebekah and Rachel. She also records the lives of the women she knows like her aunt Yaltha, her constant companion and her friend Tabitha; both stories are part of this book.  Ana’s strength of character, and confidence shines through, as does her ability to adapt to different situations. She is betrothed to a man old enough to be her father, then her father wants to sell her as a concubine the Herod Antipas, and in both cases she is ready to defy him and her mother. She goes as far as giving up her privileged lifestyle, and her beloved papyrus and ink, to marry Jesus, where she has to learn to cook and look after animals as she becomes part of his larger family.  Alongside Ana’s story, there is also the story of her aunt Yaltha, and her friend Tabitha, both mistreated and victims at the hands of the men, and whose shocking stories are explored in the book.

Sue Monk Kidd’s meticulous research shines through in this book; she really captures the  zeitgeist  of the period.  This was a time of political and religious unrest that saw uprising against the Roman rule. The Jewish community felt marginalised and angry, as the the Roman occupation had seen many men killed and women sold into slavery.  Included are some of the stories from the Bible, like The Good Samaritan and Jesus condemning the money lenders in the temple at Jerusalem. These and other Biblical references are treated with care and a reality that shows the humanity of Jesus, his kindness and compassion for all.  The prose flows beautifully throughout the book,  drawing you in and taking you on the journey with this incredible woman.

It was only after I started reading this that I realised it was Easter weekend, so perfect timing. The Book of Longings is the story of an inspiring woman, who wants to be heard in a society where history is written by men for men. Told with compassion, understanding and care we see a different view of Jesus, the man rather than the Messiah, conflicted and not sure of his place in life. Ana is a true heroine, a woman ahead of her time, who shows strength and courage when faced with challenges, a woman who wants not only her voice to be heard, but that of other woman as well. Thought provoking and ambitious this is an outstanding book that will stay with me for a long time.