Lori S. (Dreamwords) reviewed Captivating: Unveiling the Mystery of a Woman's Soul on + 50 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 7
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?
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?
Melissa (sugarbaby) -
Helpful Score: 5
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.
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.
Hannah S. (CountryGoalie) reviewed Captivating: Unveiling the Mystery of a Woman's Soul on + 9 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
It definitely has its merits and certain points that it makes well, but the book as a whole was slightly unsettling to me. I just can't seem to put my finger on it. For a discerning Christian who can filter through what is part of the modern *liberal* Christian viewpoint, and what is truly Biblically expounded upon... I can recommend it. Elsewise, I'm not so sure.
Helpful Score: 4
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.
Kathie G. (prtyof10) reviewed Captivating: Unveiling the Mystery of a Woman's Soul on + 75 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Stasi is married to John which I only have to believe she believes the same as he. The one thing I can say about this writer (her husband) is that he believes that God is not in control of the future. Do your own research. So be careful what you learn from. I don't recommend any of their books.
