Location: Ancient Israel/Egypt Type: Physical
Timeline: Linear Genre: Historical Fiction - Christian
Narration: 1st person
Review:
Stars: 4
What would it look like if Jesus had a wife? Sue Monk Kidd does a great job at painting a clear picture of what living in Jesus's day would look like for a Jewish woman. There is so much pain and heartache but there is also so much hope.
This book was so worth reading. It will bring great book club discussions, especially among women of Christian faith. This will probably be one of my favorites from this year.
Sex:
None
Language:
Fuck: 0
Ass: 1
Bitch: 0
Shit: 3
GD: 0
Cunt/Pussy: 0
Dick/Cock: 0
L in V: 0
Bastard: 1
Triggers:
Rape - mentioned without detail
Miscarriage/still birth
Questions and Notes:
Note 1: I love how the book starts out addressing that women are equally important to men in the idea of religion and leadership.
"My parents' stories found their way into flesh of my flesh and the bone of my bone. It had not occurred to me that my abilities had been intended, that God had meant to bestow these blessings on me."
What is something that was told about you that you later discovered wasn't true?
"A man's holy of holies contains God's laws, but inside a woman's there are only longings."
What does this mean?
Is this true today?
Tabitha was raped but it seemed few cared. There are examples of rape happening in the scriptures and nothing being done to the men as punishment for their actions.
Why do you think the scriptures do not show punishment of men who have raped women?
Note 2: I love how much I feel Jesus. I have to remind myself this is not doctrine.
Note 3: In scripture we do not get to see Jesus before his ministry started; However, we can imagine (from this story) that his entire life was his ministry. He showed God's love in His understanding, approachability, chastity, and kindness throughout his entire life, not just while ministering.
In the story, Jesus said "When I come to pray here, I ask God to bring His kingdom to earth. it cannot come soon enough."
Do you believe Jesus knew what was to come and when throughout His life on earth?
Or do you think He lost the knowledge once He passed thought the vail and it was returned to Him when God directed it?
When Salome is betrothed, Ana gives Salome the copper mirror from her chest.
"I [Ana] didn't tell her I wished to be rid of the self I saw reflected there."
What do you think Ana meant by this? What was Ana truly trying to be rid of?
There are many examples of parents throughout this novel. And each parent/child dynamic is different.
What does this book say about the bonds and relationships between parents and their children? (not quotes but what you gather from the events)
When talking about the Therapeutae, Yaltha says this:
"Every forty-ninth day, there's an all-night vigil filled with feasting, singing, and dancing. The members work themselves into a state of ecstasy. They call it a sober drunkenness."
What is the benefit of this practice?
Do you think there is a spiritual benefit from it?
The people in the Therapeutae were divided into two groups:
seniors: writing, reading, spiritual duties
juniors: garden, animals, tending the land
Yaltha chose to remain a junior so she could work in the garden while Ana would love to be a senior.
Which group would you desire to be a member of?
"Jesus and I didn't have long. In these last minutes, what did he most want to hear - that he'd been seen and heard in this world? That he'd accomplished what he'd set out to do? That he'd loved and been loved?"
What do you think Jesus wanted to hear?
What would you want to hear?
The book suggests that it isn't uncommon to have a loved one that has passed away visit you.
Have you ever experienced this?
If you could choose to have this experience with only one person, who would you choose?
What do you think the title means and how does it pertain to the story?
The end of the book talks about why the Bible does not mention Jesus having a wife.
Do you think Jesus may have had a wife? Why do you think a wife isn't mentioned in scripture?
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