This author is one of my favourites . . . A challenging and sensitive subject, but beautifully written

Unleashes the reader’s imagination with glorious evocations of extraordinary times and places, allowing our minds to roam… Original, challenging, beautiful

I kept having to close this novel and breathe deeply, again and again. A radical re-imagining of the New Testament that reflects on women’s longing and silencing and awakening, it is a true masterpiece.

Compelling … Ana is a truly wonderful character, strong and inspiring, and her life story so captivating that it swept me along

A bold, imaginative reworking of the Christian tale from a female perspective

Brilliant … the familiar characters brought to vivid life

“This novel has an intriguing premise . . . The novel’s evocation of life in Galilee is fascinating, and clever, rebellious Ana is a memorable character.”

This is not Jesus’ story, but Ana’s. […] The Book of Longings is the testament of a bold woman, and the story of many stolen female voices.

Superlative . . . from a writer at the top of her game . . . A practically perfect historical novel

Kidd uses her unexpected narrator to reveal new perspectives on an endlessly parsed era.

Riveting . . . Telling the story of an extraordinary life in one of the most startling pieces of historical fiction you’re likely to set eyes on this year

Imaginative . . . Charts a young woman’s struggle to confront the ways in which society dictates what she can and cannot do.

‘A wonderfully researched novel … reimagining the past through the eyes of a creative, curious and defiant woman’

‘A testament to the author’s talent for creating both compelling characters and intriguing story lines … The intensity, bravery, and strength of character of Ana … will inspire readers … to live authentically and remain true to oneself’

An inspiring story of a strong woman living in a society bent on her silence

Kidd’s bold narrative revisionism allows her protagonist to be in every respect the equal of her husband while posing this question: How would Western culture be different if men and women had grown in appreciation of each other’s spirit?

This is Ana’s story . . . Well-researched and a cracking good read

Ana’s ambition and strong sense of justice make her a sympathetic character for modern readers … A vibrant portrait of a woman striving to preserve and celebrate women’s stories – her own and countless others

Kidd describes a first-century world full of political and religious tensions, which feels simultaneously ancient and freshly awake with spiritual possibility. […]The message about the importance of kindness and the power of women’s voices should resonate strongly with today’s readers’

· A master of literary women’s fiction, Kidd always strikes a chord with her strong, feisty female protagonists . . . [The Book of Longings] is an engaging story about a young woman defying the odds to make her voice heard, a story that remains relevant today . . . [and] underscore[s] what’s lost when one group – be it one gender, race or religion – gets to write the history for all.

No other writer has fleshed out a partner who can stand on her own, who is intellectually and spiritually well matched with Jesus . . . Kidd’s research into first-century Jewish life, along with her vivid descriptions of the villages and terrain, make Ana’s story come alive

Praise for Sue Monk Kidd’s earlier novels

‘Exhilarating. . . powerful’

‘Moving, original, and accomplished . . . It is wonderfully written, powerful, poignant, and humorous’

‘The tale of one motherless daughter’s discovery of what family really means – and of the strange and wondrous places we love’

‘Wonderful – well-written, moving and engaging by turns, and always compelling’

‘A resonant, illuminating novel’

This year’s The Help – but even better

‘A remarkable novel that heightened my sense of what it meant to be a woman – slave or free . . . a conversation changer’ – Oprah Winfrey, O, The Oprah Magazine

‘The stunning metaphors and realistic characters are so poignant they will bring tears to your eyes’