Fantastic and energetic.....

I wholeheartedly recommend this book. So refreshing and real! I am so glad that Stasi Eldredge decided to listen to God and write this book. It was soooo inspiring. It is definitely a must read for any woman who wants to find out who she is through Christ!

uncaptivating

I have to be honest. Captivating did little to captivate me.

This the kind of book that just leaves a bad taste in my mouth and is just another increasing example of how I I just do not resonate much with Western evangelicalism any more - simplistic, all about me, lacking spiritual depth, and identifying Christianity with our American materialistic, consumer based western culture -
On the one hand they are saying that they are not playing into stereotypes of women, or are not out to make women out to be only suited for certain roles, but they are really only describing stereotypes of women. Everything they are saying about women has to do with a western cultural mindset, point of view. That is the pair of lense they are using to set their criteria. All the cheesy "chick flick" quotes? Please! I love a good romantic comedy, adventure....but where is the depth in that? That is something I enjoy, but that does not define who I am. They are only speaking of real surfacy issues as they profess to be speaking of depth, the heart and soul of a woman. I mean, as they discuss little girls who want to twirl in skirts and be called Princess, I have to ask, what about women in Africa trying to stay alive through AIDS and hunger? What about women in Afghanistan? Somehow, I just don't think their concerns are so much to be romanced, be beautiful and long for a great adventure. I am offended that the Eldredges claim this is the heart and soul of every woman! Every woman?

I do believe there are feminine traits and characteristics just as there are masculine traits and characteristics. Do I like to be beautiful, do I like to be romanced, do I like a great adventure? Yes. Did I like to play with dolls? Yes. Did I like to dress up in twirly skirts? not so much. I liked playing under the porch making mud pies. I liked my swing set. I liked building homes out of my blocks. So, yes, I agree these are some general feminine traits and characteristics, but I totally disagree that this is the essence of who I am...that this embodies my heart and soul as a woman. I am a woman, yes, but more so I am a woman following Christ and seeking to find my identity in Christ.. What really excites me and motivates me and spurs me is when I am in sync with who God created me to be, when I sense He is using ME (unique me) in the ways He wants to use me to advance His work and Kingdom. My identity is not in my husband or my marriage (and how he or it is making me feel about myself) or what I do, it is in who I am identifying myself with, and that is Christ. When men seek their identity in Christ they are inevitably going to become more of the MAN God created him to be. The same goes with women. As I seek to have my identity in Christ, I am going to become more of the WOMAN God created me to be.

I think the Eldredges say nothing extraordinary. IAside from what they claim it does NOT, I think it does follow most formulaic Christian books - a+b = c (a fulfilled life!)
Honestly, I am finding some parts of the book to be bearable, but overall captivating had as much depth as a cess pool of stagnant water. And we know what is going to come next. Workbooks, conferences, speaking engagements, support groups etc. that again, ties into our very western consumer, "me based" culture. But, on the other hand, if it brings people, especially women, into a deeper relationship with Christ, then it is doing some good.

And I totally understand that my view is by far the minority (...)

Amazing...A book I'll read again and again...and again!!

This book is absolutely beautiful...full of truth and incredibly insightful.

I read the customer reviews before buying this book and so I was cautious (as Staci/John would say "guarded") about whether or not it would connect with me. But I was pleasantly surprised...It is awesome!!

It so truely expresses the heart of a woman...why we do what we do and why our hearts ache.

Although I thought it might merely be redundant to some of the other Eldredge books I've read, I found this to be wonderfully fresh with insights and ideas I've never heard or thought of.

I have had to stop after practically every chapter to pray and to simply pay attention to what God is saying to me and about me. This book is very powerful.

I recommend this book for EVERY WOMAN!!!!!!