đź“– How Long Does It Take to Read The Book of Longings: A Novel?
The Book of Longings: A Novel is 448 pages long, which means it has around 112,000 words (estimated 250 words per page). Wondering how much time you’ll need to finish it? Let’s break it down:
⏳ Reading Time Based on Speed
- Average Reader (200 words per minute): About 9 hours and 20 minutes—perfect for a relaxed weekend or a few cozy evenings with tea and snacks.
- Slower Reader (150 words per minute): Prefer to take your time? It’ll take around 12 hours and 27 minutes—enjoy it over several days at your own pace.
- Fast Reader (300 words per minute): Speed through in just 6 hours and 13 minutes—a quick, exciting read!
⏳ What If You Read One Hour a Day?
If you set aside just one hour each day, here’s how long it’ll take:
- At 200 words per minute: You’ll get through 48 pages per session and finish in 10 days—less than a week!
- At 150 words per minute: Reading 36 pages daily, you’ll wrap up in 13 days—a relaxed, no-rush read.
- At 300 words per minute: Speeding through 72 pages per session, you’ll be done in just 7 days!
đź“š No Rush, Just Enjoy the Story!
No matter how fast or slow you go, The Book of Longings: A Novel is here for you. Whether you devour it in a weekend or savor it over time, it’s a fun, immersive read whenever you’re ready to jump in!
“An extraordinary novel . . . a triumph of insight and storytelling.” —Associated Press
“A true masterpiece.” —Glennon Doyle, author of Untamed
An extraordinary story set in the first century about a woman who finds her voice and her destiny, from the celebrated number one New York Times bestselling author of The Secret Life of Bees and The Invention of Wings
In her mesmerizing fourth work of fiction, Sue Monk Kidd takes an audacious approach to history and brings her acclaimed narrative gifts to imagine the story of a young woman named Ana. Raised in a wealthy family with ties to the ruler of Galilee, she is rebellious and ambitious, with a brilliant mind and a daring spirit. She engages in furtive scholarly pursuits and writes narratives about neglected and silenced women. Ana is expected to marry an older widower, a prospect that horrifies her. An encounter with eighteen-year-old Jesus changes everything.
Their marriage evolves with love and conflict, humor and pathos in Nazareth, where Ana makes a home with Jesus, his brothers, and their mother, Mary. Ana’s pent-up longings intensify amid the turbulent resistance to Rome’s occupation of Israel, partially led by her brother, Judas. She is sustained by her fearless aunt Yaltha, who harbors a compelling secret. When Ana commits a brazen act that puts her in peril, she flees to Alexandria, where startling revelations and greater dangers unfold, and she finds refuge in unexpected surroundings. Ana determines her fate during a stunning convergence of events considered among the most impactful in human history.
Grounded in meticulous research and written with a reverential approach to Jesus’s life that focuses on his humanity, The Book of Longings is an inspiring, unforgettable account of one woman’s bold struggle to realize the passion and potential inside her, while living in a time, place and culture devised to silence her. It is a triumph of storytelling both timely and timeless, from a masterful writer at the height of her powers.