Rating: 
Summary: This story worked for me..I couldn't put it down!
Review: I am a spiritual junky...its how I make my living. I am
a prophetess as MM was portrayed in this book. I have a broad
religious background/upbringing...so I was extremely curious
to see how Margaret George would approach this subject. I read
her background when only a few pages into the story to see if
it would annoy me...and I was heartened at her personal background and have not been disappointed at all in the way
she tells the tale.
My favorite parts of the story are the subtle, useful, and
sometimes profound narrative comments she or her characters make...the "between the lines meat" that give great satisfaction
to my soul. I have been both entertained, educated, and
spiritually fed with this book.
An example that particularly touched me: (THere is a discussion between Jesus and the disciples and Mary M. about
her abilities as a prophetess)....p. 423
"Prophets have visions," said Jesus as long last. "True visions are the mark of a true prophet. Peter, have you had any
visions?"
"Yes", said Jesus's mother, brushing her wet hair back off her cheek. "Even I have had visions. When I was younger...visions about you, my son. Faint ones, ones I never told you about, but they were visions. Does that make me a prophet , or someone holy?"
Jesus nodded. "I think you are holy," he said. "But I do believe that Mary has been granted some special spiritual gifts,
not because of her own worthiness or wisdom, but because that was God's own mysterious choice. He chooses someone, often someone
who seems very ordinary."
skip down a couple of paragraphs, then:
Jesus took what seemed forever before he answered. "In the coming Kingdom, we will all be God's treasures, as it was in Eden. But Mary has had more of what shapes a soul in her lifetime than you. What shapes a soul? Suffering. It is a sad
fact that without suffering our spiritual eyes are often never opened. And Mary has had the demons, has been vilified, has lost her husband...both in his affections and in life. She has had her daughter taken away from her. Such things change a person, just as cut and seasoned wood is different from green. And so it is not just the visions."
(This account rings true with my own personal history.
I trust George's rendition of her story due to the perception
she uses in this particular encounter which I personally
understand very well.)
I generally only read a novel once every five years or so.
Thank God, this is the one I chose this time. The other was a
great read too: Autobiography of a Geisha.
Thank you Margaret George!
Rating:
Summary: An imaginative telling of Mary Magdalene's life
Review: After reading The DaVinci Code, I became very interested in Mary Magdalene and her place in history. While she is not cast in the same role as in TDC (which I won't divulge here for those who haven't read the book), I almost like her place in this telling better. She is written as a strong woman who after many years of struggling between possession by pagan gods and her faith in God, is healed by Jesus and becomes one of his disciples. Since no one knows the true story of MM, Margaret George had to create an entire life for her, giving her the roles of daughter in a pious Jewish family, wife of a man she questions her love for, mother to a daughter whom she conceived after making a deal with one of her pagan possessors, and loyal friend to a girl who follows a different branch of Judaism of which her family doesn't approve. The book starts out slowly laying a foundation for Mary's life, but read on. After she initially meets Jesus when she is a young girl and finds the idol that becomes the source of her possession problems, things begin to pick up speed. The second half of the book is about her life as a disciple of Jesus and the Passion from her viewpoint. It's also about her undying love for her daughter who was taken from her at the age of two after she began following Jesus and her family disowned her. As usual, George has done an incredible amount of research into her subject and has written yet another fictional biography that will take you to another world.
Rating:
Summary: Best book I've read this year!
Review: I read Susan Haskins book first, Mary of Magdala, and truly enjoyed it. The novel by Margaret George, Mary Called Magdalene, was even better. My heart is still excited about it and I finished reading it and listening to it (CD mp3) a week ago. Finishing the novel was like saying good bye to a good friend. I wanted to be in that world and continue hearing about the Apostle's exploits. I want to keep reading and the novel is finished. So where else could I go except the Bible. I am reading the Acts of the Apostles and savoring every word. How weird that after reading fiction, now the true Word is more believeable and exciting. The reading of Margaret George's novel has ignited my spirit afresh and makes me hungry for the Presence of the Lord.
Rating: 
Summary: Understand your expectations before buying this book
Review: I always find it interesting when a collection of book reviews cover the entire spectrum, from "absolutely hated it" to "it was the best book I have ever read." While it is true that opinions are like belly buttons; everybody has one, it might help you decide whether to read this book if your expectations are realistic. First and foremost, this book is pure fiction. George has clearly done her research and weaves information from the bible, the apocrypha, oral tradition and history into the story. Thus, for many readers (some more than others) it "feels" historical. But, it is fiction. She has created "characters" from real historical figures. Some reviewers find them poorly developed, and others don't like the way in which the characters were developed. The bottom line is that nobody knows what these people were really like. George has risen to the challenge of building on what little is known to create characters who are more fully developed than they are in biblical or historical accounts. In so doing some readers, especially those who have very strong feelings themselves about who these characters were, undoubtably will be disappointed. Personally, I loved the way that the character of Judas was developed. Although I had always sort of dismissed him as a disciple, other than in his role as betrayer, I found it very thought provoking to consider him more closely. On the other hand, I had more trouble with her portrayal of Jesus. Although I wouldn't describe the character of Jesus as "flaky" as another reader did, Jesus is not portrayed in the way I would have portrayed him. But, I didn't write the story and the whole point is that it IS A STORY. If you are looking for a theologically, historically, and biblically accurate version of the story of Christ and his Disciples, from the point of view of Mary Magdalene, you will have to wait until you get to Heaven and have a chat with her, and this book may not be for you. However, if you want to read one woman's thought provoking version of the story of Christ and his Disciples, from the point of view of Mary Magdalene you will probably enjoy this book. Christ did more to advance the cause of the disenfranchised of his time (lepers, samaritans, tax-collectors and yes, women) than any other person in history. This story brings that out in a strong way. I will end as I started. This is FICTION, and I found it enjoyable.
Rating:
Summary: a wonderful way to travel in time
Review: M.George sweeps you back in time as only she can. This book was wonderful, thoughtful and thought provoking. Mary Magdaline comes to life and is transformed from a ordinary (albeit 'demon possessed') Jewish girl to a woman converted by her internal experinces and the words and actions of Jesus. For any one interested in what life may have been like at the time of Christ, this is a must read!
Rating:
Summary: The author's research shows...
Review: A child's curiousity opens the door to a lifetime's worth of regret when the young Mary of Magdala finds an Ashara idol on the way to Jerusalem with her family. Knowing she shoud throw it away, the girl still keeps it, thinking the goddess to beautiful to cause harm. Besides, only Yahweh is God, surely an idol could have no power. She does not realize that her disobedience opens the door for a demon to take hold of her heart. The journey to Jerusalem is not completely filled with ill tidings. Mary also makes a friend who will defy custom and teach her to read and write, and meets the man who will change her life forever in years to come, Jesus of Nazareth. As the years pass, Mary continues to hide her secret. From time to time, she hears a voice that she learns belongs to the idol, and finds herself compelled to obey it. Seeking to escape, she marries, but not even that brings her peace. Time marches on, bringing with it a child, and more demons. Tormented, Mary confesses her sin, and seeks every known means of deliverance, to no avail. Finally, she is driven to seek refuge in the desert and there will attempt to end her life. Before that can happen though, she meets Jesus once again. By now, He is also grown and beginning His mission. With a few words, He gives her peace and a new life. She joins Him and the disciples as their equal after she attempts to return home, only to be cast out as a whore. The years ahead of Mary are ones filled with her greatest joys and sorrows. She learns at the feet of the Master, and is able to bring deliverance to those afflicted as she once was. Then, it all seems to be over when Christ is crucified. Or is it only beginning? **** Ms. George's hours of research add historical accuracy and depth to a compelling story. New light is shed on one of the most mysterious figures in the Bible. Even from a purely secular standpoint, this is a magnetic tale. Passion and sorrow heighten the moments of joy. Whether you are Christian or not, this novel will engage your full mind and heart. **** Reviewed by Amanda Killgore
Rating:
Summary: Deeply mooving example of redemption
Review: Mary lives in a very difficult family. Her parents are Jewish who faithly follow the Sabbath. The rest of the family is either liberal or ultraconservative. OY! What a mess. Mary finds a forbidden idol and does not dispose of it. At times it talks to her but Mary keeps the secret hidden. This idol taunts her to the point where she is basically insance. After an attempted exorcism, she flees to the desert for answers. Eventually she meets up with Jesus who heals her mind. The rest of the story follow her travels with Jesus and the Apostles and up to her death many years later. This book made a significant boost to my spiritual life. As I read, I seemed to go back there to Jesus' time. Very very meaningful.
Rating:
Summary: A Different Perspective on the Gospels
Review: I recently read The DaVinci Code by Dan Brown and became fascinated by Mary Magdalene, so when I saw a review for Mary, Called Magdelene in Time magazine, I knew it was a must-read. I was not mistaken!! This book took me in from page one, where we are introduced to Mary as a little girl already troubled by visions. The story is well developed in the early part of the book, keeping your interest & developing strong characters that help you keep turning pages through the second half of the book. This is important, because the second half of the book, which is yet another retelling of the passion of Jesus in which the reader could easily lose interest unless there's something to keep a focus. While George's character of Mary Magdalene is complete fiction, she does create a believable & likeable woman whose faith leads her on an extraordinary path. I really enjoyed this book.
Rating:
Summary: A gorgeous jewel of a book
Review: "Mary, Called Magdalene" is a beautifully written, well-researched fictional account of the life of Mary Magdalene. It starts out with a seven-year-old Mary who goes on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem with her family. On the way back, the family goes through Samria, and Mary, two of her cousins, and a friend named Keziah that she meets along the way, decide to go exploring and meet some of the families from other towns. They meet a particular family from Nazareth, and learn that Joseph, the father, is a well-known carpenter in his town. (hmmm....I wonder whose family this is? could it, perhaps, be Jesus' family?) Sure enough, they end up meeting Jesus as a thirteen-year-old. The story goes on to describe how Mary finds an old pagan idol made of ivory. The idol turns out to be hiding a demon, which posesses Mary and brings along six other demons over time. And yes, eventually, Jesus cures her almost twenty years later and she becomes his loyal disciple. Everyone should read this book. It is absolutely amazing, no matter how long it is (630 pages).
Rating: 
Summary: It was okay.. but long
Review: Ok.. so I read this book and it was pretty good.. only problem is that towards the end I found myself skimming through the pages in order to just hurry up and finish the darn thing..Its a pretty decent protrail of what "COULD" have actually happened.. My only Grip is that Jesus (and please I am not religious) was portraited in my opinion almost as a flakey recluse..sorry.. anyhow.. read the book its decent.. but like a said.. long
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