[Subdue] The Book of Longings, by Sue Monk Kidd, 4.5 stars

[NancyJ]

This is a thought-provoking historical fiction novel, set during the lifetime of Jesus. While we see some of the religious and cultural practices of the time, this book isn’t really *about* religion in my opinion. Sue Monk Kidd wondered - what if Jesus had a wife? Many years later, after a lot of research and thought, she wrote a book about Ana, the wife of Jesus. If you have trouble getting past that premise, you can find interviews with the author where she explains why it’s historically possible. The bible often left out women in stories, and most Jewish men then were married by the time they turned 20. The author’s note at the end of the book was really interesting in itself, and I don’t think it would spoil the book to read it first.

I like how the author portrayed their marriage, and how they viewed one another. I loved that Jesus allowed his wife to be who she really was. Jesus was a feminist (just like my DH). This book is told from the point of view of Ana, and we don’t see much of Jesus in the last couple years of his life. We don’t see him preaching or performing miracles. (I was curious how the author would portray the miracles, so I was a tiny bit disappointed.)

The book is really about Ana, and she is an interesting character. She was born into a wealthy political family (they also had slaves), and her father allowed her to be educated, which was unusual. Ana wants to be a strong woman. She longs for “largeness” and a voice. Today you’d say that she was driven to write or express herself. I loved the other female characters (including Mary) and friends that were a part of her life.

Through Ana’s travels, we see different cultural, religious, and political groups. The Therapeutae was particularly interesting. The story about her step-brother Judas (yes, that Judas) was very thought-provoking because the author deftly showed him in a political context (as opposed to a religious one). They were living in a land occupied by the Romans, with slaves, oppression, and corruption. He wanted to fight that. It seems that many of the books I read this year related somehow to Colonialism, with one group oppressing another.

At times when reading about strong or ambitious women in earlier time periods, I get caught up in the mistaken belief that “we” are modern and independent, and that “they” weren’t. It can take me out of a story because it feels anachronistic. I had to remind myself that there are women in the world today whose lives are more constrained than Ana’s. We're not all as modern as we'd like to think. I’m sure that throughout history there have always been women who wanted to do more, or be more, or be different, and push against the constraints of her culture. There have always been women who wanted equality, freedom to be herself, and opportunities to do more. When looking at reviews, I noticed that some women judged Ana for selfishly wanting to pursue her own goals. She wasn’t behaving like the other wives in the family.

[Amy]

This has been on my TBR a long while. Might have even been my theology book.

In my faith culture, we have this word "midrash". It means the possible story behind the story. Like what really might have happened underneath the scant words of the story we are provided? What were the historical figures thinking and feeling and what might their motivations have been? In other words, why are we still telling these stories and what is to be learned from them? Women's midrash is a super big deal. Who were these women and what were they about? So this kind of a thing feels like something you would see all over Jewish literature. I read a book a year ago told from the fictional viewpoint of Judah Maccabee. (The Maccabees were the small but mighty war family in the Chanukah Story - band of five brothers with Judah as the leader.). This feels right in line with that. Some might say this lengthy 5000 year tradition of "midrash" is the precursor to historical fiction. Another thing the Jews invented - lol. Anyway, it was a great review and I look forward to someday reading it. I somehow think Charlotte has. I associate some connection of Charlotte to this book. Upping on the TBR it goes.

[Heather Reads Books]

I enjoyed this book a lot!

I think I remember wishing Ana was more politically involved in Jesus's life, but the story she did have was very vivid and heartfelt, and was a nice glimpse into the ancient world. I don't see many novels set quite that far back. I loved the part where she got to visit ancient Alexandria for all the cool historical context alone. I've read a lot of historical novels lately where the protagonists feel too "modern" for the setting, but I think Sue Monk Kidd did a pretty good job at situating Ana in her time and place. And the writing was beautiful.

I'm glad you liked it.

[Margaret]

Amy wrote: "This has been on my TBR a long while. Might have even been my theology book.

In my faith culture, we have this word "midrash". It means the possible story behind the story. Like what really might..."

Amy, I love to learn about all cultures and religions, so I always enjoy your posts.

[Margaret]

A wonderful review. Secret Life of Bees was one of my favorites. I loved it so much that I pre-ordered Mermaid Chair, which I hated and thought it was among the worst books I ever read. I've avoided Kidd ever since, but your review may lead me to give her another chance.

[NancyJ]

Amy wrote: "This has been on my TBR a long while. Might have even been my theology book.

In my faith culture, we have this word "midrash". It means the possible story behind the story. Like what really might..."

That's really interesting. I love that your faith encourages that, rather than discourages it (as some Christian groups have). For all the reading I do, I'm not sure I've ever become good at deciphering subtext and symbolism in books and film. I sometimes wonder what I missed.

[NancyJ]

Margaret wrote: "A wonderful review. Secret Life of Bees was one of my favorites. I loved it so much that I pre-ordered Mermaid Chair, which I hated and thought it was among the worst books I ever read. I've avoide..."

I loved Secret Life of Bees too, but I should mention that this book has a different feel. It doesn't have the same easy flow that Bees has. There are still wonderful relationships with women (and some bad ones), but it's also more complicated. I liked it better after I started thinking about it.

[Amy]

It meant to write the wife of Judah Maccabee. Which is interesting because even in accounts people are not actually sure he had a wife. And if he did, they think her name was Judith, although in the book I read, it was Leah. They often take female characters that may or may not have been married to high level figures, and talk about what their experience is. Like the daughter of someone or the wife of someone who is a major political or historical character. A lot is made of Myriam, the sister of Moses and Aaron. And people like to talk about her a lot to make a more egalitarian or feminist. Look at some of the stories we were revere and pass down. That’s what I meant to say/right. Is that the wife of Jesus seems like a very similar vehicle in this vein.

[NancyJ]

Amy wrote: "It meant to write the wife of Judah Maccabee. Which is interesting because even in accounts people are not actually sure he had a wife. And if he did, they think her name was Judith, although in th..."

Yes, that makes sense. I like that these feminist and egalitarian trends are growing.