Mary, Called Magdalene

Margaret George was born in Nashville Tennessee. When not continuing research for her novels in such places as Egypt, Rome, Israel and England she lives with her husband in Madison, Wisconsin. She is the author of many best selling historical novel including The Memoirs of Cleopatra and the Autobiography of Henry VIII. This is a wonderful historical novel which asks the question, Who was Mary Magdalene? Her name first appears in the gospel of Mark. She was the one who discovered Jesus' resurrection, but before that little or nothing is heard or known of her. In the past she has been called many things by many people. Was she a prostitute as many learned scholars say, Was she a feminist icon, a church leader, perhaps none or all of these things. Margaret George has researched closely much of the information that there is available about Mary and with the help of these she brings to life one of the most controversial characters of the scriptures. This is a work of fiction with facts interwoven into the story, as Margaret George tries to wipe away the myths that surround the life of Mary, Called Magdalene.

You probably know the story, or at least scant details, but you don't know enough for the story to be spoiled and I won't give it away either because in this case, the delight is in the details. This isn't one of those shameless books that base a premise on a disproved hoax and play up to the conspiracy crowd for sensation and controversy just to make a quick & dirty buck. No, "Mary Called Magdalene" is based on facts consistent with the New Testament, with the Gospel according to Mary, with the Gnostic texts, and with writings of the early Church Fathers as well as with various historical secular texts. I agree with Simon Jenkins that "Facts should be taskmasters, and there is no exemption for fiction." As he wrote in "The Guardian" on May 26, 2006 and said: "Historical novelists must not manipulate an audience's veneration for the truth with their phony verisimilitude". I personally found no abuse of dramatic license in this book. The author, Margaret George is the renowned historical author of "Henry VII" and has thoroughly researched her facts then added details that would be logical consequences of those facts or plausible reasons for them. In addition to all that research, the author completed a seven year course in bible study covering 60 of the 66 books and traveled extensively both in distance and duration through the middle east. There is a great author interview in the back of the book that covers her background and the motivations for her decisions & choices. But wait, that's not all; there is also a great list of in depth questions for discussion. Yes, this is still a work of fiction, because some of these details can neither be proven nor disproved but they are the basis of the "novel" experience where our beloved characters are developed and rounded out so that they become more real to us and live on in our imaginations. There is an unusual tension in a book of this kind; will it say something that challenges or risks my faith. Rest assured; this book is a pleasant joyous read that give you a broad overview of our beloved characters, all at once, the just way novels do. As for whether or not Jesus had younger brothers: that may have been a bit of a liberty, but I can see how it balanced out the story and still it servers as a gentle reminder that this is a work of fiction, truthful enough by those standards, but not a sacred text. The details that were added are not jarring. A good friend of mine loaned me his copy and I plan to rush out and buy my own as well as get copies for my friends and family as there are so many delightful conversations can come from the text as well as the author interview and the discussion questions. This book is truly a gift that keeps on giving.

I read an article in Time Magazine recently on suppositions that the Catholic Church had suppressed other "gospels" written by Jesus' disciples. One of them claimed to be "Gospel of Mary" ~~ and since I have read "The Da Vinci Code" by Dan Brown, I then became more intrigued with the one follower of Jesus, Mary. This book satisfies my curiousity without imposing on my religious beliefs. There isn't much known about Mary, faithful follower of Jesus and George did a wonderful job drawing my imagination to life in the early years of Jesus' ministry. The beginning of the book starts with Mary at the age of 7 and finding an idol. Over the years, she becomes possessed by demons and when it seemed to be the bleakest, Jesus drove the demons out from her. Then Mary became one of his closest followers. This novel is of her journey and doubts, joys and trimuphs as a woman in extraordinary times. She is an ordinary woman caught up in the world's greatest mystery unrivaled by all time ~~ and blessed as well. It is written beautifully and with intricate details I like to see in my historical fiction novels. It draws more of an interest in life then and makes me realize how much have changed since then as well as what has not been changed. It is a thought-provoking novel as well. It's a great addition for anyone interested in reading about strong women of different times. 1-27-04

This book was very compelling. The story of Mary of Magdela was moving. I always thought that Mary was a reformed prostitute, but the way she was portrayed made her a very likeable person. I love the way she intertwined her life with Jesus. Sure, I know the biblical story about Jesus but Ms. George put it in a way that left me very sad and understanding for maybe the first time the scope of what happened to Jesus and the pain of the people that he left behind, the confusion and the wonder of what was going to happen now. Sure reading this centuries later it could be "so what another biblical story" but for me to see it from the eyes of Mary and to read her story, I was enthralled. My advice is don't compare this to Ms. George's other books. This is truly a unique read.