Ana is a force to be reckoned with;
she is brilliant, ambitious, and has a daring spirit. When the
reader first meets her, Ana is 14 and living with her wealthy family in first
century Galilee. Ana rebels against the expectations for women of her time and encouraged
by her father, she learns to read and write. When Ana’s rebellious nature gets
her into trouble, she is recused by an 18-year-old Jesus.
Jesus and Ana marry and live in
poverty with his family in Nazareth. Ana has her Aunt Yaltha with her but is
not used to poverty and the work required to keep the family alive. The union
is a happy one although Jesus is often away from home looking for work. It is
after Ana travels with Jesus to meet John the Baptist that Jesus begins his
ministry. Ana is left behind as we know Jesus did not have female disciples.
Ana goes back to the family, but
circumstances soon force her to flee. She and Yaltha find their way to the Therapeutae
in Alexandria, a community of Jewish philosophers living simple lives dedicated
to studying and writing. It is here Ana finds her true calling. She leaves Therapeutae
briefly when she learns Jesus’ life is in danger and is able to see him before
his death.
Grounded in meticulous research
and written with a reverential approach to Jesus's life that focuses on His
humanity, The Book of Longings blends perfectly with the New Testament
stories we know so well. Be sure to read the Author Notes before putting the
book down.
4.25 stars on Goodreads, 4.5 on
Amazon
