An unforgettable spiritual autobiography about a search for meaning that begins alongside one of the great religious icons of our time and ends with a return to the secular world. Provocative, profound, emotionally charged, and sure to be controversial, the book presents a rare, privileged view of Mother Teresa while being a unique and magnificent memoir of self-discovery.

Reviews

Advance praise for "An Unquenchable Thirst"

"Readers . . . will find themselves transported into another world by this powerful, revealing memoir. An aspirant to the Missionaries of Charity at age nineteen, the author spent twenty years living a life both extraordinarily simple and heart-wrenchingly complex. Johnson skillfully demonstrates this juxtaposition through her writing--mundane events, such as gathering eggs or learning to play the piano, often have tragic or miraculous implications. . . . [Johnson's] memoir is exceptional."--"Kirkus Reviews" (starred review)

"Johnson brings readers close to her story, showing her triumphs and temptations, limning characters as compelling as those in any novel. . . . Her mesmerizing account of trying to orbit the sun that was Mother Teresa vividly captures a life in turmoil.""--Booklist "(starred review)

"Eloquent and moving . . . an extraordinary testament to the enduring power of love--beyond faith and dogma. It reminds us of why we are here: to love and live fully, to be curious about all things, and to live a compassionate--and passionate--authentic life."--Mira Bartok, author of "The Memory Palace"
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"A heartfelt, personal story of the gradual awakening of a person who comes to see that preferring the human to the perfect does not alienate her from authentic spirituality but allows her to live more fully."--Kathleen Norris, author of "The Cloister Walk"
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"Opening up the soul's deep core on the page is always an act of bravery. Mary Johnson is bravery writ large. She writes expertly about the myths and misperceptions of women's religious vocations and the sacred validity of human intimacy."--Breena Clarke, author of "Stand the Storm"