Synopses & Reviews
From the bestselling author of The Secret Life of Bees and the new novel The Invention of Wings (Viking, January 2014) comes a thoughtful, revelatory book of writings on self and spirit
Before she won an international readership with her novels, Sue Monk Kidd was best known for her smart, passionate spiritual writings. Now many of those early stories and essays (most of which first appeared in Guideposts) are collected in one volume, organized around thirteen spiritual motifs. In Firstlight, Kidd charts her emergence as a writer and seeker; reflects on her roles as wife, mother, daughter, nurse, and artist; and assesses what she has learned in settings as far-flung as Africa and her own home. The result is an intimate, uplifting book, filled with moments of recognition and discovery.
Review
"Kidd's lovely prose, passion for the spiritual life, and early instincts for telling a compelling story should help this book attract a wide readership."
-Publishers Weekly, starred review
"Thoughtful, moving, often luminous meditations on faith, family, death, and love; on compassion, solitude, and grace."
-Booklist
Synopsis
In Firstlight, bestselling author Sue Monk Kidd offers readers an intimate glimpse into the early years of her journey as both writer and spiritual seeker. Drawn from the author's early writings for guideposts and to a lesser extent, other publications, this selection of personal reflections and essays is organized around thirteen spiritual motifs and interwoven to create a compelling narrative about the author's spiritual awakening. Included are writings about the author's multiple roles as mother, daughter, wife, nurse, and writer. There are recoleections aabout her extensive travels and reflections on her childhood and marriage. And there are musings on a stream of ordinary moments--watching a bird feeder, a homeless man, a golf tournament--all of which added richness and meaning to the author's journey. In every life there are defining moments when one's heart begins to open.
About the Author
Sue Monk Kidd is the author of three novels,
The Secret Life of Bees,
The Mermaid Chair, and, most recently,
The Invention of Wings, which will be published by Viking in January 2014.
The Secret Life of Bees spent more than two and a half years on the
New York Times bestseller list, was adapted into an award-winning movie, and has been translated into thirty-six languages.
The Mermaid Chair, a #1
New York Times bestseller, was adapted into a television movie. She is also the author of the memoirs
The Dance of the Dissident Daughter,
When the Heart Waits, and, with her daughter Ann Kidd Taylor, the
New York Times bestseller
Traveling with Pomegranates. Her early writings on spirituality are collected in the book
Firstlight. The recipient of numerous literary awards, Sue lives in southwest Florida with her husband, Sandy, and their black Lab, Lily.