An Unquenchable Thirst

A Memoir

By Mary Johnson | Publisher: Random House Publishing Group

About the book

NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY KIRKUS REVIEWS

“A candid, generous, and profound spiritual memoir that deserves a great deal of thoughtful discussion.”—Anne Rice

 
At seventeen, Mary Johnson experienced her calling when she saw a photo of Mother Teresa on the cover of Time magazine; eighteen months later she began her training as a Missionary of Charity, a nun in Mother Teresa’s order. Not without difficulty, this boisterous, independent-minded teenager eventually adapted to the sisters’ austere life of poverty and devotion, but beneath the white-and-blue sari beat the heart of an ordinary young woman who faced daily the simple and profound struggles we all share, the same desires for love and connection. Eventually, after twenty years of service, Johnson left the church to find her own path, but her magnificently told story holds universal truths about the mysteries of faith and how a woman discovers herself.
 
Includes new material: Two reading group guides—for groups that wish to take different approaches to the book; a conversation between Mary Johnson and Mira Bartók, author of The Memory Palace; and Mary Johnson’s recommended reading list
 
“A wonderful achievement . . . Johnson opens the window on a horizon of spiritual questions [and] takes an unflinching look inside her own heart.”—The Christian Science Monitor
 
“An incredible coming-of-age story . . . [It] has everything a memoir needs: an inside look at a way of life that most of us will never see, a physical and emotional journey, and suspense.”—Slate

“Reads like a novel . . . an exacting account of a woman growing into her own soul.”—More magazine
 
“Engaging, heartfelt and entertaining . . . [Johnson] articulates her struggles with her God in words that will hit home.”—Los Angeles Times
 
“An inspiration that transcends any particular religious belief . . . An Unquenchable Thirst is a journey that captivates, but its resonance lies in the life examined.”—The Denver Post

Editions of An Unquenchable Thirst

Hardcover
ISBN 9780385527477
Hardcover
ISBN 9780385666978
Paperback
ISBN 9780385527484
Paperback
ISBN 9780385666985
EBook
ISBN 9780307368140
EBook
ISBN 9781588369864
AudioStreaming
ISBN 9780307876164
AudioStreaming
ISBN 9780307876140
AudioDisc
ISBN 9780307876157
AudioDisc
ISBN 9780307876133

Read an Excerpt

NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY KIRKUS REVIEWS

“A candid, generous, and profound spiritual memoir that deserves a great deal of thoughtful discussion.”—Anne Rice

 
At seventeen, Mary Johnson experienced her calling when she saw a photo of Mother Teresa on the cover of Time magazine; eighteen months later she began her training as a Missionary of Charity, a nun in Mother Teresa’s order. Not without difficulty, this boisterous, independent-minded teenager eventually adapted to the sisters’ austere life of poverty and devotion, but beneath the white-and-blue sari beat the heart of an ordinary young woman who faced daily the simple and profound struggles we all share, the same desires for love and connection. Eventually, after twenty years of service, Johnson left the church to find her own path, but her magnificently told story holds universal truths about the mysteries of faith and how a woman discovers herself.
 
Includes new material: Two reading group guides—for groups that wish to take different approaches to the book; a conversation between Mary Johnson and Mira Bartók, author of The Memory Palace; and Mary Johnson’s recommended reading list
 
“A wonderful achievement . . . Johnson opens the window on a horizon of spiritual questions [and] takes an unflinching look inside her own heart.”—The Christian Science Monitor
 
“An incredible coming-of-age story . . . [It] has everything a memoir needs: an inside look at a way of life that most of us will never see, a physical and emotional journey, and suspense.”—Slate

“Reads like a novel . . . an exacting account of a woman growing into her own soul.”—More magazine
 
“Engaging, heartfelt and entertaining . . . [Johnson] articulates her struggles with her God in words that will hit home.”—Los Angeles Times
 
“An inspiration that transcends any particular religious belief . . . An Unquenchable Thirst is a journey that captivates, but its resonance lies in the life examined.”—The Denver Post

Frequently Asked Questions

What is An Unquenchable Thirst about?

NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY KIRKUS REVIEWS

“A candid, generous, and profound spiritual memoir that deserves a great deal of thoughtful discussion.”—Anne Rice

 
At seventeen, Mary Johnson experienced her calling when she saw a photo of Mother Teresa on the cover of Time magazine; eighteen months later she began her training as a Missionary of Charity, a nun in Mother Teresa’s order. Not without difficulty, this boisterous, independent-minded teenager eventually adapted to the sisters’ austere life of poverty and devotion, but beneath the white-and-blue sari beat the heart of an ordinary young woman who faced daily the simple and profound struggles we all share, the same desires for love and connection. Eventually, after twenty years of service, Johnson left the church to find her own path, but her magnificently told story holds universal truths about the mysteries of faith and how a woman discovers herself.
 
Includes new material: Two reading group guides—for groups that wish to take different approaches to the book; a conversation between Mary Johnson and Mira Bartók, author of The Memory Palace; and Mary Johnson’s recommended reading list
 
“A wonderful achievement . . . Johnson opens the window on a horizon of spiritual questions [and] takes an unflinching look inside her own heart.”—The Christian Science Monitor
 
“An incredible coming-of-age story . . . [It] has everything a memoir needs: an inside look at a way of life that most of us will never see, a physical and emotional journey, and suspense.”—Slate

“Reads like a novel . . . an exacting account of a woman growing into her own soul.”—More magazine
 
“Engaging, heartfelt and entertaining . . . [Johnson] articulates her struggles with her God in words that will hit home.”—Los Angeles Times
 
“An inspiration that transcends any particular religious belief . . . An Unquenchable Thirst is a journey that captivates, but its resonance lies in the life examined.”—The Denver Post

What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in An Unquenchable Thirst?

Society and Social Sciences > Society and culture: general > Social groups, communities and identities > Gender studies, gender groups > Gender studies: women and girls

Where can I read a sample of An Unquenchable Thirst?

You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780385527477

Who is/are the Author/s of the book An Unquenchable Thirst?

Mary Johnson

Who is the Publisher of the book An Unquenchable Thirst?

Random House Publishing Group

What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?

An Unquenchable Thirst is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780385527477) and hardcover(ISBN 9780385666978) and paperback(ISBN 9780385527484) and paperback(ISBN 9780385666985) and ebook(ISBN 9780307368140) and ebook(ISBN 9781588369864) and audiostreaming(ISBN 9780307876164) and audiostreaming(ISBN 9780307876140) and audiodisc(ISBN 9780307876157) and audiodisc(ISBN 9780307876133)

Where can I buy An Unquenchable Thirst online or support local independent bookshops?

You can buy An Unquenchable Thirst from below

Where can I buy An Unquenchable Thirst?