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Janet Rich Edwards
201 ratings | 14 reviews | avg rating:4.58

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Janet Rich Edwards

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April 2016


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Hi Janet, I was deeply moved by Canticle, especially how its quiet moments carry so much spiritual weight. When writing it, did you begin with the theological questions you wanted readers to sit with, or did the characters’ inner lives lead you there organically? The way reflection and story intertwine feels so intentional and rare. Warmly, Etta
Janet Rich Edwards Dear Etta,
What a wonderful question. The germ of the story was my lifelong fascination with the writings of medieval mystics. They were (and are) mean…moreDear Etta,
What a wonderful question. The germ of the story was my lifelong fascination with the writings of medieval mystics. They were (and are) meaningful to me because of their unfiltered nature - uninterpreted through the lens of human institutions. I was intrigued by a character so devoted to her quest that she would become an anchoress. But then, as I added the layers of other characters, I became at least as interested in how Aleys affected and was affected by the spiritual lives of the people around her. I wanted to write Lukas as an equally earnest counterpoint to Aleys, so that I could explore the tragic role of ambition and ego in the spiritual quest. (Mystics universally speak of the necessity of letting go of the self.) I valued the path of service of the beguines and loved that Aleys was finally able to learn from Sophia. If there's a moral to the story, I think it is Sophia's 'Try to be simple.' So, really, the motivation of the story evolved as I wrote. The writing was something of an act of seeking for me as well as my characters! Thank you for your enthusiasm for Canticle and for a great question!(less)
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Do you do book clubs? So much to discuss in Canticle. I feel like it would be a great fit for our club.
Janet Rich Edwards Yes! (In fact, your question came in as we were putting the finishing touches on the book group guide, which includes medieval recipes and a playlist!…moreYes! (In fact, your question came in as we were putting the finishing touches on the book group guide, which includes medieval recipes and a playlist!) I'm eager to connect with readers, and looking forward to joining book clubs in person if they're in the Boston area or by zoom if they're not. If you're interested, email me at jredwardsauthor@gmail.com. (less)
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Combine Editions

Average rating: 3.88 · 5,498 ratings · 1,105 reviews · 1 distinct work • Similar authors
Canticle
3.88 avg rating — 5,499 ratings — published 2025 — 3 editions
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The Things We Nev...
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The Things We Never Say by Elizabeth Strout
The Things We Never Say
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What to Make of a Life by Jim Collins
What to Make of a Life: Cliffs, Fog, Fire and the Self-Knowledge Imperative
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Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy
Wild Dark Shore
by Charlotte McConaghy
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May 23, 2026 07:33PM  · 3 likes ·   ·  preview book
Janet Edwards and 75 other people liked Teres's review of Canticle: A Novel:
Canticle by Janet Rich Edwards
"
Once again, utterly shocked this is a debut novel.

Someone sure did her homework. Looking forward to more from this author."
May 17, 2026 07:37AM  · see review ·  preview book
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A Tale for the Time Being by Ruth Ozeki
A Tale for the Time Being
by Ruth Ozeki (Goodreads Author)
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The Braid by Laetitia Colombani
The Braid
by Laetitia Colombani
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Liar's Dice by Juliet Faithfull
Liar's Dice
by Juliet Faithfull
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Achingly beautiful and searingly memorable, Liar’s Dice will stay with me for a long time. Juliet Faithfull has written a novel so true and universal that it deserves more than the ‘coming of age’ genre label. I can be bored by CoA stories, but this ...more
May 11, 2026 09:28AM  · 3 likes ·   · see review ·  preview book
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Good People by Patmeena Sabit
Good People
by Patmeena Sabit
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May 04, 2026 02:59AM  · 1 like ·   ·  preview book
Janet Edwards and 3 other people liked Dory's review of Canticle:
Canticle by Janet Rich Edwards
"Surprised me how much I loved this book, since I am not a religious person. But don't have to be religious to have faith and believe in morality and ethics."
May 01, 2026 07:15AM  · see review ·  preview book
Janet Edwards and 3 other people liked Mary's review of Canticle:
Canticle by Janet Rich Edwards
"This will stick with me forever. "
May 01, 2026 07:15AM  · see review ·  preview book
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Quotes by Janet Rich Edwards  (?)
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“He looks at her then, her Christ, with his wounded eyes, and she sees what she had not seen before. He is in love. He is in love with her, he is in love with the sparrow and the river, he is in love with the root and trunk and flower of it all, the entire creation, and his fear and his love are inseparable. He has love even for the fear, and it is through the vulnerable door, the portal of fear, the spear in his side that will come tomorrow, that Aleys glimpses, for a fleeting moment, the unutterable vastness of her beloved.”
― Janet Rich Edwards, Canticle: A Novel
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“It's not enough to be in love with love. You must be willing to suffer with Him (Jesus), too.”
― Janet Rich Edwards, Canticle
tags: faith, jesus, love, suffering
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“Men. Always pissing outside of their chamber pots.”
― Janet Rich Edwards
tags: canticle
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