Mary, Called Magdalene

Rating:
Summary: Boring!!!
Review: I've only read one other book by M. George and that one was just as tedious. I was encouraged to try Mary Called Magdalene and I couldn't even bother to finish it. It was so slow and boring. The whole thing was ridiculous and trite. Come on, demon possession and a deal with some kind of goddess gave her a child? Oh please. The whole premise of having known Jesus since they were children is laughable. Did M. George even read the Gospels before she wrote this fluff? Yeah, she was from an observant Jewish family. Not. This fiction was not worth the effort. I won't be picking up anymore books by M. George after this display.

Rating:
Summary: Not usually a fan of this genre
Review: Having said that, I want to say that I enjoyed everything about this book because I *am* a fan of Mary of Magdala. There are so many misconceptions about her -- as well as so many downright whackadoo, unsupportable theories -- that I very much enjoyed this thoughtful presentation of the life and times of a disciple who deserves to be allowed to "speak" after so many centuries of being silenced.

The author obviously devoted considerable time to thinking through what Mary quite plausibly could have been thinking, feeling, and experiencing at different stages of her life. The initial possession concept was brilliant. Since no one really knows what was wrong with Mary, why not take the Scriptures at their word that the demons that were cast out of her were, in fact, demons? In our sanitized Western world, belief in demons is not the norm. Travel elsewhere, and you might run across things that would change your mind.

I thought the scene in the cave where Mary attempts to confront the demons on her own was extremely powerful -- not to mention exquisitely creepy! I also enjoyed the richness of detail in Ms. George's descriptions of everyday life in Mary's time.

This book is well worth reading for anyone who wants to know more about Mary of Magdala, the very earliest seeds of what developed into the Christian church, and what life was like for people in those times.

One final comment: elsewhere someone asserted that the cover of this book was pirated. I have both the hardcover and softcover editions of Susan Haskins' book "Mary Magdalen: Myth and Metaphor" and I feel it only fair to the publishers of Ms. George's book to note that there is, in fact, not the slightest resemblance between the covers of Ms. Haskins' book and Ms. George's.

Rating:
Summary: Loved it!
Review: I was swept away by Margaret George's soulful and sensitive portrayal of this great saint. With her vivid descriptions, thoughtful characterizations, and elegant prose, George proves, once again, to be the grand mistress of historical fiction. I loved this book. I loved the way the author breathed life into this mysterious woman and showed us how her life might have unfolded. I found Mary's story to be achingly poignant and incredibly realistic, and I commend the author for framing her story within the structure of the Bible rather than conjuring up some New Age theory. Margaret George writes meticulous, well-researched, well-documented fiction that explodes with human drama. I was therefore deeply offended by the prideful review from the reader who questioned the author's faith. The reviewer might think this personal attack showcases her own superior religious scholarship, but all it showcases is her stunning ignorance.

Rating:
Summary: A slow and painful funeral dirge!!!!
Review: UGH!!! As a student of Orthodox as well as Gnostic Christian Theology and Spirituality, I found Margaret George's portrait of the Apostle Mary Magdalene painful and offensive. To give credit where credit is due, I found the historical/cultural as well as geographic portrayals of first century Palestine to be exceptional and well researched. The plot, the characters and the story was hugely lacking in depth, spirit and believability, right down to the historically incorrect and unsubstantiated ending!!!!!

Her portrayal of Mary Magdalene is in conflict with current research. Current research supports the idea that Mary was a close intiate of Jesus' and received teachings and understandings only revealed to her. The seven "demons" from which she is said to have cured is now believed to be either a) release from severe mental illness or b) an initiatory path including seven stages of purification. Margaret George's portral of Mary as being literally cured of seven demons (ie demonic possession) is not only in conflict with current research, but insults modern day psychology. One final note in regards to the possessions: I was highly offended by her use of "Asherah" as the initial demon who attacks Mary. Asherah was the image of the feminine divine who was worshipped alongside and as the consort of "Yahweh" before the patriarchal structure emerging is Judaism systematically removed her. Margaret George's use of her as a demon serves to only further the pain and abuse of the sacred feminine at the hands of patriarchal institutions.

I found her overall characterization of Mary Magdalene to be devoid of spirit and lacking in truth. She was THE person to whom Christ revealed his resurrected self and THE person he commissioned to reveal the truth to the world. SHE is the original apostle!!!! As such, she had to have been a woman of great intellect, wisdom, courage and spirit, not the pitiful, insecure, tortured woman presented by George.

And finally, the most offensive aspect of this book is George's portrayal of Jesus. She portrays him as distant, aloof, lacking in intimacy and spirit.

And a final note to the publisher: Don't you think it cheap to steal the cover art from Susan Haskin's ground-breaking book on the same subject?

Rating:
Summary: Another excellent read!
Review: 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

Rating:
Summary: just plain boring
Review: I almost never give up on a book, but after forcing myself onward for about 200 pages, I finally quit on this one. I like historical fiction, and I'm familiar with the Bible, and with the history of the period, so that's not the problem--or, rather, that is the problem, because I was looking for something new, interesting, creative, surprising, and compelling. Instead, this book is just plain boring. The characters, dialogue, and plotting are too often flat (which is to say, either predictable or unpersuasive). Put in the fancier terminology of literary theorists, there is a total lack of "de-familiarization," i.e., taking something familiar (e.g., the biblical story, and biblical history), and somehow treating it in a new, different way (as via metaphor or allegory) to give the reader a new experience, and a new level of insight. If you want a good literary treatment of a pivotal biblical figure, read Frederick Buechner's The Son of Laughter (about Jacob).

Rating:
Summary: Disappointing
Review: Having read all of Ms. George's works, I came to expect more from 'Mary, Called Magdalene'. As beefy as the rest of her over-sized novels, this one was also rich with dialogue and a well-researched historical background, however much of it is dry hypothesizing and too much of it is dedicated (in a rather uninventive repetitive fashion) to the 'visitations' by Mary's supposed demons. I found myself literally skipping pages and pages just to get on with the story.

Mary's relationship with Jesus is also lacking in substance; George gives us little more than one the common person already knows about Mary Magdalene. And perhaps the most disappointing facet of this book is that it ENDS with Jesus' death. Mary lived to an advanced age and dedicated her life toward establishing Christianity (some say she went to Ephesus, others to Marseilles), but obviously (and sadly) George felt that that portion of her life did not warrant including in this book. This novel would have been much more fascinating had George more fully covered her life.

Rating:
Summary: A wonderous telling of a misunderstood character
Review: I was brought up believing -- as many of us were -- that Mary Magdalene was a prostitute. That theory seemed to me to be dissonant, as she was the first one Jesus chose to appear to after his resurrection.

This book, while admittedly fiction, seems to have nothing counter to scriptures -- though the timing of some events seemed a little "off" from the version in the Gospels.

To me, the story was quite credible, and it most definitely gave me a feel for the time and places where Christ practiced his ministry.

I liked this book so much, I sent it to my daughter and two friends for Christmas.

Although the length (630 pages) was somewhat daunting, I found myself entirely absorbed by the novel and between reading times, I could hardly wait until I could read it some more.

Rating:
Summary: A fascinating novel
Review: I have recently begun developing an interest and love for novels which fall under the category of "historical fiction." Here is one of the greatest stories never told. The life, mission, & death of Mary Magdalane, the "Apostle to the Apostles". Margaret George has hit very close to him with this novel.

Rating:
Summary: Conservative, but still good
Review: Those of you looking for something stunning or revolutionary, will be disappointed.

George nimbly steers clear of any of the more revolutionary interpretations of Mary's role in the life of Christ. Here, their love is merely a holy one, and Mary is no more a key figure in the early church than any of the other apostles.

That said, she also managed to offer a plausible role for one of the Bible's more enigmatic figures, and writes the story in a way that appears neither preachy or pedantic. Long, as are most of George's novels, the story is still a page turner and an intriguing read.