Search - Captivating : Unveiling the Mystery of a Woman's Soul

I love John Eldredge's books, so I was extremely excited to get this book for women. I stood in line for quite a while to get one of the first copies available. I was disappointed in the book, in a huge way.

Instead of embracing all types of femininity, the book pushes one toward the single type preferred by the authors: a strong woman who is nothing like "Martha" (both Martha Stewart and the Martha in the Bible who was working in the kitchen while her sister, Mary, was relaxing at Jesus' feet).

Passages like this one bother me: "For a woman to unveil her beauty means she is offering her heart. Not primarily her works or her usefulness (think Martha in the kitchen). Offering her presence. At family gatherings, my (Staci's) mother hid in the kitchen. She cooked and baked and prepared and served and cleaned and for the life of us, we couldn't get her out of there. We wanted her to share her life with us, not just her efforts. She wouldn't come. And we were less because of it."

Perhaps the mother was showing love in the way she was most talented. Why couldn't anyone join her in the kitchen and offer HER their presence?

Beautifully written book. It explores the emotional and spiritual (and sometimes physical) wounds women hold - often from childhood - and how to start the healing process. John & Stasi delve into the woman's soul together, and there are viewpoints from both the woman's and man's perspective.

Very strong biblical references, with a focus on strengthening your relationship with God, and realizing your inner beauty.

I would heartily recommend this book for ANY woman that is feeling alone, weary, confused...or just plain ugly. Also for any MAN that wants to understand how his woman thinks & feels.

I found this book to be too liberal for my taste. I also was put off by the statement that the ideal of the Proverbs 31 woman only sets us for failure and that the church is teaching women wrong by teaching that their role is to serve.

This book offers insight into a woman's heart and soul and offers every woman the opportunity to find herself among the examples and stories told on its pages. Within this book there is also healing, hope and the support that comes from knowing you are not alone in these needs, these wants, these dreams, these desires. And yet, but loving God and letting God love you, you can find within you and within God the answer to all of your questions and, most importantly, the singular Question.

This book brings healing to a woman's broken heart. Easy read and uplifting.

John & Stasi are a couple -- who have endured and suffered through the grief journey after losing a dear friend. Most of the Eldredge books are aimed at men's interest. This one is for women.....and very well done. I would encourage all women to read it.