The Book of Longings by Sue Monk Kidd

Raised in a wealthy family with ties to the ruler of Galilee, Ana 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.

REVIEW: When I first came upon a description of this novel I was intrigued and immediately added it to my library hold list ... then when a copy became available, I was afraid it would be too heavy a read and kept delaying my acceptance of the hold. I'm so glad I finally gave in and borrowed it, because I was hooked from the first page! The Book of Longings is the masterfully written story of one woman's yearning to do more and have more than her society will allow. It's also an imaginative retelling of Jesus's life that highlights his humanity and the uniquely human struggles (with work, family, friends, and authority) that we all face every day. Moments throughout the narrative reflect familiar stories and characters from scripture but the focus is really on Ana as a partner for Jesus, a strong woman experiencing her own spiritual and intellectual awakening alongside her beloved husband. Kidd's meticulous research shines through the narrative, bringing Ana's vivid world and the myriad people in it to life on every page. Highly recommend - I truly couldn't put this book down once I started reading.