The Book of Longings by Sue Monk Kidd

Longings are familiar because we all have them. So, what you/we long for varies along a spectrum between extremes. This novel connects us to our own longings even if we don't think we have any.

For anyone who is willing to explore a different narrative of Jesus than one typically gets from a preacher, this book blows open new possibilities. A touching, beautiful, and passionate longing for another and for truth and for God pulls me in close. Again a modern woman's perspective is projected onto the first century and plays out the Biblical drama in a new way. It sheds new light on old stories. For me it brings new possibilities and powerful potentials for our current way of living and being.

Anna craves to express herself in her unique ways and is not willing to leave her fate to her culture, her family, or to another. She is a writer of women's stories. Her aunt said, "Copies of your writings are gradually being dispersed... They shed a beautiful light, but they will unsettle people and threaten their certainties." (p. 405) A woman's voice was not strong at that time in history. A woman's voice can be strong today in our world in which much certainty is being up-ended.

We all carry longings, especially a longing to be who we are. To live out a life that we know is possible. My question: can we do this for each other? Can we live this way and can we allow others to live out their own particular way? Can we be in this uncertainty and hold one another as we find our new way forward? Much to ponder.

I hope you enjoy.