The Book of Longings

Research the history of The Thunder: Perfect Mind, the apocryphal work in Christian literature. Research the 1945 archeological findings at Nag Hammadi. Discuss the place of such Christian works not officially recognized by the institutional Church. Why might the Church refuse to recognize this work in particular?

What is feminist theology? Investigate the role of women in Christian theology. How does Christianity limit the definition of women? In what ways is Christianity a patriarchy? How does Ana challenge that conception? Is that challenge heroic because it is futile? What do you make of the closing burial of Ana’s scrolls?

Investigate the character of Judas Iscariot. How does the novel repurpose Judas? How does the invented backstory of Judas give psychological complexity to his character?