# The Book of Longings - Hardcover

by **Sue Monk Kidd** (Author)

****"An extraordinary novel . . . a triumph of insight and storytelling." --Associated Press****

**"**A true masterpiece.**" --Glennon Doyle, author of _Untamed_**

**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_ bestselling 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 eighteen-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.

### Author Biography

Sue Monk Kidd's debut novel, _The Secret Life of Bees_, spent more than one hundred weeks on the _New York Times_ bestseller list, has sold more than six million copies in the United States, was turned into both an award-winning major motion picture and a musical, and has been translated into thirty-six languages. Her second novel, _The Mermaid Chair_, was a number one _New York Times_ bestseller and was adapted into a television movie. Her third novel, _The Invention of Wings_, an Oprah's Book Club 2.0 pick, was also a number one _New York Times_ bestseller. She is the author of several acclaimed memoirs, including _The Dance of the Dissident Daughter_, her groundbreaking work on religion and feminism, as well as the _New York Times_ bestseller _Traveling with Pomegranates_, written with her daughter, Ann Kidd Taylor. She lives in North Carolina.

**Number of Pages:** 432

**Dimensions:** 1.6 x 9.3 x 6.4 IN

**Publication Date:** April 21, 2020

## Details

- **Price:** 30.0 USD
- **Vendor:** Books by splitShops
- **Type:** Books
- **Tags:** Books by splitShops, Shopify Collective

## Variants

| Variant | Price | Available |
|---------|-------|-----------|
| Default Title | 30.00 USD | In stock |

## Images

- The Book of Longings - Hardcover

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