Reviews

The Book of Longings, by Sue Monk Kidd

donabean's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional mysterious reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I loved this story of the imagined wife of Jesus. I liked the way it pulled in Biblical references while focusing fully on Ana. 

thelexingtonbookie's review against another edition

Go to review page

2.0

DNF'd- Audiobook- couldn't get into it. Not the book's fault!

jenbosen's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging emotional reflective sad medium-paced
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated

4.25

loiefaulkner24's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

davinci code, book of longings - more stories about women who married jesus!!!!

thuglibrarian's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

Spectacular historical fiction about Ana, the wife of Jesus. Speculative story of what history would have been like if Jesus was just a man. Sue Monk Kidd empowers women from the past by giving them a voice.

* I read an advance copy and was not compensated

gatorreads's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

erintby's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

I loved this book so much! I was initially hesitant to read it. I’m not exactly sure why, besides that it felt almost blasphemous to imagine a wife for Jesus. But as soon as I started the book I knew I’d be so glad I read it. The narrative is beautiful and offers a powerful glimpse into the lives of women during Christ’s time. Jesus is presented more as a prophet than son of God, but the story is not so much about Jesus than about his fictitious wife Ana. This book has made me wonder how things would be different if we had women’s perspectives in the Bible? I wish we knew, but at least we can imagine. This story was both breathtaking and breathgiving for me. I don’t know that the average author would have been up to the task of writing a novel of Jesus’s wife, but Sue Monk Kidd did an astounding job.

mkhateri69's review against another edition

Go to review page

Interesting take on the idea that Jesus had a wife. Really enjoyed reading her story and learning about her strength to persist.

elsiebrady's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

Beautiful writing!

bookdragonhoard's review against another edition

Go to review page

I couldn't rate this book. The writing is lovely but my feeling on the story is "meh" at best. I just didn't have any interest in the characters or their exploits. I like historical fiction but this was just not well done. I loved the author's first book and have picked up any other titles by her that have passed by way, but I've never enjoyed any others like the Secret Life of Bees. I can't even remember what the Invention of Wings was about. Sadly, I think I'm done hoping for lightening to hit twice.