As many of you know, I rarely know anything about a book before I start it; this was an exception. The friend who gave me The Book of Longings prefaced its subject, a subject that might have kept me from giving the book a chance had it not come recommended. If anything, this experience convinces me to continue my habit of starting books “blindly” because it allows me to engage with topics I might not have otherwise. With all of that being said, this is a story about the wife of Jesus and the overwhelming desire for life that drove her.
For anyone who’s already become skeptical at the idea of Jesus having a wife, I recommend reading Kidd’s “Author’s Note” at the end of the novel. I think she does an excellent job of navigating the historical and theological connotations of her fictional narrative. The story is not a radical re-imagining of Christianity or any type of religious statement. It’s a story of a girl with a deep passion for life and for words, growing into a woman at a time where her longings would have been better suited as a man.
Ana’s story starts in Sepphoris in 16 CE. Born into a wealthy family, Ana develops a passion for writing. Her longing to have a voice provides most of the tension in the book, and I would say this, more than her marriage to Jesus, is the theme of the novel. Her relationship with Jesus primarily occurs before he’s 30, a time in his life largely un-documented in Scripture, providing a unique window through which to consider the possibility of him having a wife.
It feels obvious to state that a book comes across differently based on the reader’s personal experiences, but it’s one I felt reinforced here. As a woman, I felt an immediate kinship with Ana, imagining what it must have been like to live so confined by social and religious limitations. As a Christian, it was interesting and even challenging at times to read such a humanized story of Jesus. Both of these aspects have significantly colored my perspective of the story, and I’d be remiss not to take that into account.
While I wasn’t blown away by the book, I was intrigued and definitely entrenched at times in Ana’s life. I’m glad that I read it, especially knowing I might not have if dictated by impressions from the book jacket. It’s not a story that would interest everyone, but if your apprehension is biblically based I think it’s worthwhile to give it a chance. At the very least message me; I’m always keen to chat about the books I’m reading.
Personal rating: 6.5/10
Recommend? So much of what drew me in was Ana’s experience as a woman, so I’d probably only recommend it to female friends.
Re-read? Probably not
Time: 1:47