Firstlight: The Early Inspirational Writings [Paperback]

Sue Monk Kidd (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 22, 2011

From the bestselling author of The Secret Life of Bees 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.

Editorial Reviews

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

About the Author

Sue Monk Kidd is a bestselling novelist and the author of three spiritual memoirs, God's Joyful Surprise, When the Heart Waits, and The Dance of the Dissident Daughter.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Penguin (Non-Classics) (February 22, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0143112325
• ISBN-13: 978-0143112327
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #444,330 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Insightful reading, February 28, 2008

By 

B. Kelly "Book Doc" (Long Island, NY) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Firstlight: The Early Inspirational Writings (Paperback)

Sue Monk Kidd's work continues to delight. Her short, honest, writings show her to be attentive to the moment as well as to the world around her. This book would be a start to a group discussion for people seeking to live mindful, but interactive, lives. She enjoys the spiritual life of monks without having taken their vows. Readers will gain much from this collection of essays and observations.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars More Than a Hundred Inspirations, October 20, 2008

By 

Julia McDonough (Charlton, MA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Firstlight: The Early Inspirational Writings (Paperback)

With her first novel recently made into a major motion picture, Sue Monk Kidd will become more widely known, even to non-readers (do such people really exist?). Therefore, I think it is important for those who loved THE SECRET LIFE OF BEES and THE MERMAID CHAIR to peer into the soul of the author through "notes at random" musings compiled into one neat volume.

Maybe FIRSTLIGHT would not have struck such a chord if I hadn't read it in waiting areas of a Catholic hospital. Ms. Kidd's early memories of special moments with her mother were particularly touching (real lessons for parents here), and I was blown away by the true story of a dogwood tree blooming in September as a healing sign. FIRSTLIGHT provided more than one Kleenex moment and more than a hundred inspirations.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiration stories, June 12, 2010

By 

Carol Burrage - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Firstlight: The Early Inspirational Writings (Paperback)

This book is one that is not only great for anyone, but has beoome a frequently-given gift for me. The stores are true in the life of the author and reveal the truth of God's love.