Girl Mary

I loved this novel. Mary is the one of Nazareth and her story is told with a reverently light touch. Mary and Joseph live with their family and friends through the instability of Roman occupation, Herod's banishment, and survival in the harsh Judean desert. We know the end of the story, but the beginning is almost never told. Popescu's telling of it is full of charm....with just the right mix of myth, action, familiar detail and new interpretation. The Christian story is enriched when we imagine Mary as a girl, a young woman with many ordinary as well as extraordinary experiences and dreams. Also to imagine Joseph: a man with a heart and mind, with a story of his very own. Both these characters are well developed and absolutely believable. Another challenging character, Mary's God of Abraham, emerges as a divine friend and counselor to Mary, one who initiates, reciprocates challenges and supports a mutually loving, challenging relationship. The girl Mary knows she is loved, and hopes to be special. She is dutiful without being a bore, loving without being perfect, sexual without shame, and submissive to the divine in a way that brings her power. Popescu has done the scrupulous research required to bury us utterly in rich detail of color, song, and dust of the period. Bare feet in hot sand, headscarves in the wind, relief at the wells, prayer, judgment, lightning on the mountain; Rome's decrees, Jewish faith: we are completely captivated by the community within which this never-told tale takes place. If you love the story of Mary, and are willing to play, this book belongs on your shelf as it does on mine. Reviewed by Marcia Jo

The book was easy to read. It jumps right in to the story of Mary at the well, and later gives you the back story. Told from two perspectives, Pontius Pilate and Mary Amneh, the story gives a new outlook on what Mary's life may have been like prior to the birth of Jesus as well as the politics of Roman Times. As a woman the story resonated with me, and although this was definitely not Christian fiction I found that it did pose some theological questions. Throughout the story, I found myself asking: is she the chosen one? will there be immaculate conception? will the book tell about the birth and beyond? The only answer I can give without spoiling the book is that the story ends before any "Jesus Story" begins. After finishing the novel, I immediately wanted to open the book of Luke and re-read the biblical version. I would recommend this book to any woman who likes biblical fiction, or wants to get a glimpse into what life was like for women during this time period.

The Emperor Augustus is concerned with the security of the empire so he orders a Roman soldier Apella to spy on the Jews. Mary, daughter of a rabbi-carpenter, meets Apella and is attractive to the non-Jewish hunk. Apella falls in love too with the seventeen year old who makes him feel guilt and remorse for hiding his true identity of Pontius Pilate from her. However, soon afterward at a fair, she meets Joseph the woodcarver and is attracted to him too. Confused and bewildered by her being torn between two different men, especially when Joseph has one wife, is engaged to another and offers her the position of third spouse, she takes a pilgrimage up to the top of Mt. Barak to be alone with God. As the Creator tells her to remain patient, this occurs at a time when her clan needs her leadership as King Herod has kicked them out of Nazareth. This is an intriguing look at the young Mary that cleverly leaves the reader to wonder if the Virgin birth occurred or not, but provides an insightful look at what shaped the attitudes of Jesus' mother. The period comes alive especially the turbulence and intrigue that seems everywhere in Judea. Although readers will need to adjust to the formal vernacular style of the entertaining plot, fans will enjoy this fine biblical fiction as the no turn the cheek Old Testament God takes care of business in his mysterious way of shaping the playing field for Mary and Joseph. Harriet Klausner