CAPTIVE. BAH!

This word "captive" seems to carry a sense of restriction and confinement. It implies being held prisoner, unable to freely move or act as one wishes.

When we hear this word, it might evoke images of someone trapped in a cage, longing for freedom. It could be a physical captivity, such as being imprisoned, or a more metaphorical one, like being held captive by our own fears, insecurities, or obligations.

The exclamation "BAH!" further emphasizes the negative sentiment associated with being captive. It expresses a sense of frustration, annoyance, or even contempt for the situation.

We should strive to break free from the chains of captivity, whether they are external or internal. We can do this by facing our fears, challenging our limitations, and taking steps towards achieving our goals and desires.

Let us not allow ourselves to be held captive by anything or anyone. Instead, let us embrace our freedom and live life to the fullest.

I had postponed reading this book for many years. The reason was that the cover art was, like, the absolute worst I had ever witnessed in my entire life. It was so unappealing that it initially deterred me from picking up the book.

However, I eventually made a heroic and humble decision to give it a try. And to my great surprise, it turned out to be actually very good.

I'm really glad that I overcame my initial prejudice based on the cover and decided to explore the contents within. It just goes to show that sometimes, we shouldn't judge a book by its cover. This experience has taught me to be more open-minded and not to let external appearances prevent me from discovering hidden gems.

I would highly recommend this book to others, despite its unassuming cover. You might be in for a pleasant surprise, just like I was.

I'm no woman, and thus I have to regard all the "you" statements in the book as "women" statements. Nevertheless, I firmly believe this book is highly insightful. It offers valuable biblical justifications for numerous misunderstood characteristics, needs, and longings of many women.

If you're a man, it is advisable to read this book only if you have a woman with whom you can engage in discussions about it. Pose questions to her. Share with her what confounds you. Let her know what makes sense to you. She will undoubtedly relish this process, especially if she holds a special place in your heart as your "special lady."

So far, this book vividly describes how women are the crowning glory of creation and should be cherished accordingly. They are divinely designed to be beautiful, yet in our fallen world, this beauty often gets distorted and misused. Consequently, women's souls suffer damage, and their worth is frequently called into question. Additionally, women are created with specific aspects of God's personality inscribed on their hearts, such as relationship, love, beauty, and passion.

While much of what I've read in this book may not be entirely revelatory, the most beneficial aspect lies not in simply understanding the "what" regarding women's needs and desires but rather in grasping the "why" behind them. For instance, most men are aware that women渴望被称赞她们的美丽. But do you truly know the reason why?

So. Good.

This book is truly amazing. It has taught me an incredible amount of valuable knowledge and insights.

From the very first page, I was hooked and couldn't put it down. The author's writing style is engaging and easy to understand, making the learning process a joy.

Every chapter is filled with practical examples and real-life scenarios that help to illustrate the concepts clearly.

I have found myself constantly referring back to this book for inspiration and guidance.

I cannot recommend it enough!!! Whether you are a beginner or an experienced learner, this book is a must-read. It will open your eyes to new possibilities and help you to grow both personally and professionally.

Trust me, once you pick up this book, you will be glad you did.

I have truly benefited a great deal from this book. It has opened my eyes to many new perspectives and ideas. The knowledge and wisdom it contains are truly invaluable.

I firmly believe that every woman can glean something meaningful from reading this book. Whether it's about personal growth, relationships, or career development, there are countless nuggets of advice and inspiration to be found within its pages.

It offers practical tips and strategies that can be applied to real-life situations, helping women to navigate the challenges and opportunities that come their way. The author's writing style is engaging and accessible, making it easy for readers to understand and relate to the concepts being presented.

In conclusion, I highly recommend this book to all women. It has the potential to transform lives and empower women to become the best versions of themselves.

Just so good.

I read this one years ago, and it really needs a reread.

The reason is that it is truly phenomenal.

This piece of work has left a deep impression on me.

The story is engaging, the characters are vivid, and the writing style is captivating.

It has the power to draw you in and make you forget about the outside world.

Each time I think about it, I am reminded of the emotions it evoked in me.

Rereading it would be like taking a journey back in time and experiencing those feelings all over again.

I am looking forward to delving into its pages once more and rediscovering the magic within.

This book was highly recommended by several friends and numerous strangers who had rated it online. I endeavored to give it a fair chance and read it with an open mind. However, although I managed to finish it, I was clenching my teeth almost throughout.

Apart from countless bad (and also rather mundane) movie references, this book was充斥着 one cliché after another regarding girls' dreams of being fairy tale princesses and the message that women are helpless damsels in distress who require rescue by a man. John and Stasi Eldredge evidently hold rather poor opinions of women's capabilities to take care of themselves, seeing them as fundamentally flawed and incapable of having stable emotions. Oh, and we women are so pitiful that we don't even need to have ambitions; we just need to let things happen to us. "As a woman, you don't need to strive or arrange; you don't need to make it happen. You only need to respond" (Kindle location 2217). Seriously?

This book might as well have been Stasi's memoir about her neglected and traumatic childhood, upon which she based the idea that all women have "daddy/mommy issues" that have persisted into their adult lives and affected them in ways they can't perceive. I felt the entire time that the Eldredges were hoping I would uncover some dark, long-buried, and terrible memory of how my parents abused me or didn't love me enough (which, by the way, is not the childhood I had). I imagine this book is extremely helpful for women who did suffer from unjust abusive experiences as young girls or teenagers, but this book assumes that more women had bad childhoods than not.

And if that weren't sufficient, the conceited and holier-than-thou tone of the book made me feel as if I were guilty for not having had a horrible childhood or having had something dreadful occur to me. Have I (and do I) go through trials in my life? Absolutely. Did I have a perfect childhood with perfect parents who treated each other like gold and remained married? Nope. But I always felt loved, and I was fortunate to have parents who instilled confidence, strength, and a sense of capability and independence in me from a very early age.

I won't even mention the poor writing, the disregard for scriptural context and/or accuracy, calling God my "lover," or the authors' multiple references to casting out demons in Jesus' name. That would simply be too much.

If I could, I would give this book zero stars.

I completed this book a few weeks ago, and ever since, I have been grappling with the challenge of communicating to all of you precisely what it is about.

It is a book that delves into femininity, yet it encompasses so much more. It is a profound exploration of who we, as women, were divinely created to be.

Unlike a mundane to-do list dictating all the things we must do to be exemplary biblical women, this book focuses on how we are meant to truly come alive as women and fulfill the incredibly significant role that God has ordained for us in this world.

It is not a facile read; rather, it stirs deep emotions and thoughts. I wept through numerous passages of this book, but simultaneously, I discovered an abundance of hope and a much deeper understanding of my true identity as a woman.

I wholeheartedly recommend this book to women and to any man who is a husband, father, or aspires to be one in the future. Additionally, John Eldredge authored the book "Wild at Heart" for men. Although I have not yet read it, my husband has, and he claims it is excellent, just like everything else Eldredge writes.

It is the second time that I have read this book.

It is truly wonderful, inspiring, and deep.

It offers a unique view into the woman's soul.

It is not only easy to read but also profound and insightful.

The author has the courage to open up her intimacy and her wounds to us, which is really bold.

I deeply appreciate this aspect of the book.

It makes me feel more connected to the author and her experiences.

It also makes me reflect on my own life and the choices I have made.

This book is a great source of inspiration and wisdom, and I would highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for a good read.

While it is evident that the writers are pious and dedicated individuals with a healthy marriage, this is not a book that I would desire my future daughter to peruse.

It reinforces the idea of the female role as the passive, feeble, damsel in distress, placing excessive emphasis on idealized romance and feminine beauty. I envision my future daughter growing up with the understanding that she is called to be just as tough, unwavering, and heroic as a man.

Likewise, I want my future son to know that it is acceptable for him to require saving (for don't we all need Christ in that regard?) and that his worth lies not solely in his strength but also in his inner beauty and goodness.

We are all wonderfully dependent on Christ. We are all called to be brave, audacious, and heroic - actively engaged in our pursuit of Truth and Love.

This book, with its traditional gender roles, fails to inspire the kind of courage and independence that I hope to instill in my children. I believe in a more egalitarian view of gender, where both boys and girls are encouraged to be their best selves, regardless of traditional expectations.

I will carefully select the books and media that my children are exposed to, ensuring that they are presented with positive and empowering role models.

I'm just not able to establish a connection with this book. In my personal opinion, it gives off an air of smugness. It completely lacks the humility and honor that I would anticipate in a book that is written specifically for women who have a deep love for the Lord.

I have been tempted on several occasions to simply put it down and abandon it. However, I am making an effort to continue reading it with an "open mind".

Well, two weeks have passed, and I am now done with my attempts. I just cannot bring myself to read any more of it. The more I read, the more irritated I become. There are numerous excellent books available out there, and it seems a waste of my time to be spending it on this one. I managed to get almost halfway through, so I can't state with absolute certainty that it's not worth your time. But I strongly suspect that you can skip this one entirely. I truly wish that I had done so.

So, basically every woman is, deep down inside, a little princess in a pink dress. She is waiting patiently in her tower for prince charming to come and rescue her from her dull life. This prince charming is expected to give her the meaning and purpose of true womanhood.

And if this description doesn't fit you, then perhaps you're having an identity crisis. You might be questioning who you really are and what your true role in life is supposed to be.

Of course, if you really dislike the book, it's just 'not the right season for you'. Maybe at this moment in time, the ideas and concepts presented in the book don't resonate with you. It could be that you're in a different stage of life or have different priorities.

*SIGH* This sigh might represent a sense of frustration or confusion. It could be that you're trying to figure out where you fit in this narrative of womanhood and finding it difficult. Or perhaps you're simply tired of the traditional expectations placed on women and are longing for something different.