Reviewed by Dorcas Conrad, Fairmont, WV
Upper Room Books, 2010
ISBN# 978-0-8358-1030-2
I have read Jan L. Richardson’s work for years, so when Upper Room Publishing House gave me the opportunity to review her new book for them, I jumped at the chance. They provided me with a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for my work on the review.
In the Sanctuary of Women recently won the “National Indie Excellence Award”, and it does not disappoint. Initially, I had to readjust my thinking when reading it, because it is formatted differently than Richardson’s previous books. I like a set of questions at the end of each chapter, but in this book questions for reflection are scattered throughout the chapter, which caused me to go deeper in my own process and to make connections as I read.
A section called “The Lay of the Land” tells readers how to use this book. A guide for reading groups is on the accompanying website — sanctuaryofwomen.com — so readers may reflect on what relationships, including online communities, may be fostered as this book is read. A discussion of this book on Facebook can be accessed through the website.
Each chapter tells about a particular woman from scripture or church history. Readers are invited to delve into their lives and seek connections between themselves and the women. Midway through each chapter, a section called “The Secret Room” describes places where Richardson felt open to something in the women’s lives that she had not anticipated. The reader is invited to reflect on their own unexpected insights. Each chapter has morning and evening prayers, and each day’s reading ends with a blessing. There is a reading list at the end of each chapter, as well as extensive footnotes.
Anyone, male or female, wishing to go deeper into the lives of women who influenced Christianity will find this book informative. My reward was to see what I had in common with these women who seemed so different from one another and from women today. These are not exercises that can be skipped through in a few minutes. If the time is taken to read, pray and reflect, connections and communities can be formed. I recommend this book without reservation.