Beyond All Desiring

Award-winning novel Beyond All Desiring reveals the deep secrets of Sara, a woman who was "different" in a time of conformity. When Sara's niece, Janice, is notified that her sharp-witted aunt, now in her 80s, hasn't been seen for several days, Janice¿s panicky drive to find out what's happened begins our journey of discovering that Sara has led a life very different from what her relatives and friends assume. Historical events of the 20th century form a backdrop to Sara¿s often tumultuous personal life, which we follow from Trenton, NJ, to Washington, DC. As Sara visits a museum exhibit about Buddhism, we learn of her two marriages, the first to an abusive man and the second to a kinder man involved in top secret projects, who develops a bizarre illness. We discover Sara's long but secret love relationship with a woman. And we learn of hidden booklets that hold the key to yet another secret. Judith Laura's writing in this novel is stylistically innovative, realistic and magical, erotic and spiritual. Beyond All Desiring received top honors in the Ulysses Awards, and finalist awards in the USA Best Books Awards and Media Darlings Awards, 2006.