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The Bread of Angels: A Journey to Love and Faith Audiobook
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(3.06) - 355 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
In 2004, twenty-seven-year-old Stephanie Saldaña traveled to Damascus, Syria, on a Fulbright fellowship to study the role of the prophet Jesus in Islam. She was also fleeing a broken heart. It was not an ideal time to be an American in the Middle East—the United States had recently invaded Iraq, refugees were flooding into Damascus, and dark rumors swirled that Syria might be next to come under American attack. Miserable and lonely, Stephanie left Damascus to visit an ancient Christian monastery carved into the desert cliffs. In that beautiful, austere setting, she confronted her wavering faith and met Frédéric, a young French novice monk. As they set out to explore the mysteries entwining Christianity and Islam, Stephanie slowly realized that she had found God again—and that she was in love with Frédéric. But would Frédéric choose God or Stephanie?
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"Ms. Saldana has an incredible gift for using language. She describes her life as a Fulbright Scholar well, as well as the circumstances which allowed her to "run away." She is simultaneously funny and incredibly serious, but her light spirit seems to leap off the page. My awareness of this book began with an abridged version of the love story this memoir contains, found by my mother in the New York Times. I loved that small snippet of the book, and hoped and prayed that the full length story would be just as good as that page was. The Bread of Angels did not disappoint. I read it almost straight through and was dumbfounded by the beauty she described, and her own beautiful prose. Her story is compelling and complicated: a perfect match. If you are looking for a love story, look no further. If you are looking to understand the relationships between Christians and Muslims in the Middle East, look no further. This memoir really has something for everyone."
— A.L. (5 out of 5 stars)
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“A remarkable, wise, and lovely book from a truly gifted new writer, The Bread of Angels brims with originality and insight. There is poetry here—the language and the depth of attention recall the young Annie Dillard. But this is, above all, a love story, and a compelling one. Not many people can write transcendent, mystical prose and also create a page turner that keeps you up nights. Stephanie Saldaña’s achievement is extraordinary.”
— Geraldine Brooks, Pulitzer Prize–winning author -
“[A] gorgeous and enlightening read, as Saldaña’s scholarly knowledge of Christianity, Islam, and Judaism subtly infuse her story. An Eat, Pray, Love for the intellectual set, Saldaña’s beautiful memoir should not be missed.”
— Publishers Weekly (starred review) -
“Gracious and moving. A beautifully woven exploration of language and spirituality.”
— Kirkus Reviews
Awards
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Publishers Weekly Best Book of 2010
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Booklist Editors’ Choice: Audio for Adults
The Bread of Angels Listener Reviews
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" I thoroughly enjoyed this memoir from Saldana. Expecting it to be a sort of light travel and spirituality memoir a la _Eat, Pray, Love_, I was captivated by her much more serious spiritual and emotional search for truth. Her descriptions of Damascus and the rest of Syria (especially the monastery Mar Musa) are very compelling and make me want to go there soon. And her description of undergoing the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius is quite mind-blowing. "
— Linnea, 1/29/2014 -
" I loved reading the insights of an American Christian woman studying Arabic and reading the Quran in Syria, all told with such a love of life and respect for all. "
— Kris, 1/29/2014 -
" This book was so much like "Eat, Pray and Love" but for some reason I enjoyed Eat, pray and love much more than this one. I felt so many points of this book was repetitive, and also dissuasive. "
— Sara, 1/28/2014 -
" Starts a bit slow and deepens both the quality of the writing and the content. "
— Caroljean, 1/25/2014 -
" This is the most spellbinding memoir I have ever read. Stephanie has a passion for the Middle East. She got a Fullbright scholarship to study Arabic in Syria & learns it, studies the Quran & teaches it. She spends a month in a Monastery. She makes briends wherever she goes--her landlord, the shop keepers, her teachers, students in her classes, and people in the monastery. (This reminds me of Olivia's passion for the Middle East. Olivia met this author at OU & corresponds with her on facebook.) "
— Jeanette, 1/21/2014 -
" So far this book is fascinating! "
— cassie, 1/19/2014 -
" touching, inspiring, reminded me of my days in Syria in the summer of 2001 "
— Massimo, 11/28/2013 -
" A woman searching for meaning in her life travels to Damascus to live and find what she really wants in life. Great descriptive writing but I thought it was a little long. "
— Ginny, 10/29/2013 -
" I enjoyed learning about the people in Syria. It was a very moving autobiography. "
— Juanita, 8/5/2012 -
" Insightful and touching. Her writing style is very easy and pleasant to read. "
— Rowena, 6/11/2012 -
" Learned a lot about - a lot. Political, religious and personal insights. "
— Elise, 6/10/2012 -
" All the heart and fascination of Eat, Pray, Love, but with even more intelligence. Adore this book, cannot recommend it highly enough. "
— Katie, 2/9/2012 -
" Amazing and lovely! Read this to have a sense of Western/ mid Eastern culture, and Christian/Muslim culture. Stephanie found herself in Syria not long after 911 to learn Arabic. Her journey both internal and cultural was generous to share. "
— Allie, 8/1/2011 -
" Great book. Inspiring and romantic! "
— Rochelle, 4/10/2010
About Stephanie Saldaña
Stephanie Saldaña received her BA from Middlebury College and her master’s degree from Harvard Divinity School. She was a Watson and a Fulbright scholar and has won several awards for her poetry. She lives in Jerusalem.
About Cassandra Campbell
Cassandra Campbell has won multiple Audie Awards, Earphones Awards, and the prestigious Odyssey Award for narration. She was been named a “Best Voice” by AudioFile magazine and in 2018 was inducted in Audible’s inaugural Narrator Hall of Fame.