The Book of Longings

A Novel

By: Sue Monk Kidd

Narrated by: Mozhan Marnò, Sue Monk Kidd

"An epic masterpiece that is a triumph of insight and storytelling." (Associated Press)

“A true masterpiece.” (Glennon Doyle, author of Untamed)

Named a Most Anticipated Book of 2020 by O, the Oprah Magazine, Good Morning America/ABC-TV, Good Housekeeping, Bustle, Time, Marie Claire, and The Millions.

An extraordinary story set in the first century about a woman who finds her voice and her destiny, from the celebrated number one New York Times best-selling author of The Secret Life of Bees and The Invention of Wings

In her mesmerizing fourth work of fiction, Sue Monk Kidd takes an audacious approach to history and brings her acclaimed narrative gifts to imagine the story of a young woman named Ana. Raised in a wealthy family with ties to the ruler of Galilee, she is rebellious and ambitious, with a brilliant mind and a daring spirit. She engages in furtive scholarly pursuits and writes narratives about neglected and silenced women. Ana is expected to marry an older widower, a prospect that horrifies her. An encounter with 18-year-old Jesus changes everything.

Their marriage evolves with love and conflict, humor and pathos in Nazareth, where Ana makes a home with Jesus, his brothers, and their mother, Mary. Ana’s pent-up longings intensify amid the turbulent resistance to Rome’s occupation of Israel, partially led by her brother, Judas. She is sustained by her fearless aunt Yaltha, who harbors a compelling secret. When Ana commits a brazen act that puts her in peril, she flees to Alexandria, where startling revelations and greater dangers unfold, and she finds refuge in unexpected surroundings. Ana determines her fate during a stunning convergence of events considered among the most impactful in human history.

Grounded in meticulous research and written with a reverential approach to Jesus’s life that focuses on his humanity, The Book of Longings is an inspiring, unforgettable 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. It is a triumph of storytelling both timely and timeless, from a masterful writer at the height of her powers.

©2020 Sue Monk Kidd (P)2020 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“I kept having to close this novel and breathe deeply, again and again. A radical re­imagining of the New Testament that reflects on women's longing and silencing and awakening, it is a true masterpiece.” (Glennon Doyle, author of Untamed)

“[Kidd’s] painstaking research and artful crafting of setting and character ensures that The Book of Longings is not just an extraordinary novel, but one with lasting power...[her] brilliance shines through on so many levels, but not the least in her masterful, reverential approach to capturing Jesus of Nazareth as a fully human young man...[The Book of Longings] is an epic masterpiece that is a triumph of insight and storytelling.” (Associated Press)

Perfection!

Life changer.
I will long for books of this caliber forever more.
Read it now!!

a marriage of souls

Imagine the love of Jesus the man shared with another human, a wife. Kidd works the magic of possibility into the reality that is history with a light touch making it seem so real, so believable, and so touching.

a voice

A fascinating weaving of modern fiction and religious tradition that is entirely plausible. Anna represents a voice-voices-- that historically have not been acknowledged.

One of my top 5 favorite books ever!!

This is one of those rare favorites where I stop on the road heading home to listen before arriving:) I’m so glad a dear friend recommended this one to me!!! I so appreciate the authors passion, research and creativity! This rare wonderful story is still in my thoughts daily even though I finished it a week ago😊

The most beautiful book I’ve ever read (and heard)

Absolutely my very favorite Audible book yet. The narration is beautiful and captivating, the writing is superb and the story has revealed Jesus in a new personal and intimate way for me. Highly recommend.

5 STARS!

I can’t wait to read it again! I laughed, I cried. I carried my speaker around and listened as much as possible.
Though fiction I was able to learn about that time in history. It placed me there.

Thought provoking & powerful

It took a moment to wrap my head around this point of view but once I surrendered and became willing to listen it was a beautiful story of a woman’s voice, love & spirituality. Loved hearing the authors note at the end too.

The best book I have listened to in a long while

I so loved this novel. It was so interesting and held my full attention. I am impressed with the Author and the way she put this novel together. As I do believe in Jesus Christ, I was impressed with her putting her spin on the life and times of our Savior. I also was so impressed with the authors choice of narrator, as Mozhan Marno was so awe inspiring and Sue Monk Kidd could not have done better!! Thank you so much!!!!

Finding My Voice

I love this book. It gave me an important reminder of how essential it is to find my voice. It reminds me that women also need to find their collective voice. It made me feel like I was walking with Ana and the women she portrayed. I laughed and wept with them. I have a dog named Delilah and she’s like Ana’s beloved goat. I finished the book this morning. As “I read All Shall be well” It gave me peace knowing that in the time of this pandemic, these words hold true. Thanks Sue Monk Kidd for being like a mother, a Yaltha to me and others. Thanks for listening to the longing inside you to write this book.

Beautiful Story

I found this a beautiful story, but I left off a star because I kept thinking of the book by Elizabeth Cunningham, The Passion of Mary Magdalen, and how it made this book feel flatter and unfleshed out. Had I not read that series (yes, four books in the series) before, I probably would have loved this story much more, However, there were moments in Cunningham's book that were so poignant between Mary Magdalen and Jesus, and some of Mary's realizations that made me chuck the book across the room, it was so powerful. I didn't have any book chucking in Book of Longings, although, I had a lot of chills, and alot of cheering on Anna and her dedication to her inner truth and her calling to write. I actually adore and admire so much Sue Monk Kidd as an author, and loved her take on this subject. But I have to tell others not to miss The Passion of Mary Magdalen, which should be on the same shelf with this one, if you like this subject matter, and want a feminist story that will blow you away (or have you planting roots). Read this one first though, so, it gets the attribute of beauty it deserves, and then be ready for a much more visceral, rough and tumble time with fiery red head, celtic Mary Magdalen, aka Maeve and her time with Jesus.