Rating: 
Summary: Comprehensive and thoughtful, at times inspiring
Review: The existence of the Gospel of Mary was brought to light in Cairo in 1896. Some fifty years later, what are now known as the Gnostic gospels were discovered in Nag Hammadi, Egypt. Jean-Yves Leloup provides here a fascinating interpretation and commentary of the Gospel of Mary, with a few rewarding diversions into other texts, including some surprising revelations, and his alternate translation of excerpts from other gospels. At the heart of this work is what amounts to a map of human spiritual potential, the essence of Jesus' goal as found in the Gospel of Mary, presented as a way of guiding those who would follow to become fully human.
The material is presented in two parts. Part One is the Coptic text and translation, presented in a simple layout of each page of Coptic text on the left, with the English translation (from French by Joseph Rowe, with some comparison to other translations) on the facing right-hand page. The original pagination is retained and line numbers are added, which correspond roughly, though not exactly, to the original. The text is brief, and there are several missing pages. Of the 19 original pages of script only 9 remain intact. I count 1,145 translated words in all. Though brief and fragmented, this is powerful reading. This gospel presents Mary as closer to her Teacher than is usually evident in the New Testament. It also suggests that her vision of the resurrected Jesus, who's often referred to in this gospel as the Teacher, was of a more spiritual than physical nature.
Part Two is the text with Leloup's commentary, which covers not only his interpretive theories regarding the text of the gospel, but much more. In explaining his reasons for his translation of certain passages and specific words, he also goes into his opinion on the translation of bits of the canonical gospels, retranslating the Beatitudes into a more empowering form by replacing "Blessed are" to create an inspiring and motivating challenge to action in this world, rather than awaiting rewards in the afterlife.
I'm personally intrigued by his translation of portions of the Gospel of Thomas, an added bonus in this comprehensive work. I won't go into all the points of interest I came across in this thoughtful translation and commentary. Let me simply conclude that I recommend it to anyone concerned with learning more about the non-canonical gospels, Christian or Gnostic history, Mary Magdalene and Jesus, the divine feminine, or nuances in translation of the gospels.
Rating:
Summary: A Hidden Rose on the Cross+++
Review: The Gospel of Mary Magdalene as transilated, interpeted and expanded by Jean-Yves Laloup seems to be a Crossroads whereon "Christian", "Gnostic", "Exoteric", "Esoteric", "Masciline", "Feminine" and "Personal" Traditions Meet. The Gospel of Mary Magdaline would seem to NOT be a formal part of any particular Tradition having been found "in Cairo by C. Reinhardt and preserved since 1896 in the Egyptology section of the National Museum of Berlin". And in Coptic [not Greek or Aramaic] and apparently hard to date altho likely an "early text". Also I greatly enjoy the Skill and Style of Jean-Yves Laloup--especially the way the text was in digestable portions enhanced by expanded interpetations aided by wonderful charts and diagrams. A Hidden Rose on the Cross+++
Rating:
Summary: A Hidden Rose on the Cross+++
Review: The Gospel of Mary Magdalene as transilated, interpeted and expanded by Jean-Yves Laloup seems to be a Crossroads whereon "Christian", "Gnostic", "Exoteric", "Esoteric", "Masciline", "Feminine" and "Personal" Traditions Meet. The Gospel of Mary Magdaline would seem to NOT be a formal part of any particular Tradition having been found "in Cairo by C. Reinhardt and preserved since 1896 in the Egyptology section of the National Museum of Berlin". And in Coptic [not Greek or Aramaic] and apparently hard to date altho likely an "early text". Also I greatly enjoy the Skill and Style of Jean-Yves Laloup--especially the way the text was in digestable portions enhanced by expanded interpetations aided by wonderful charts and diagrams. A Hidden Rose on the Cross+++
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful and inspiring.......
Review: Think you know everything there is to know about Christianity? Well unless you have read THE GOSPEL OF MARY MAGDALENE, you don't. This book is a translation of the ancient scroll in Coptic Greek found in Egypt-before the Nag Hammadi scrolls were discovered and translated. Mary's gospel was translated by Jean-Yves Leloup into French and then into English by Joseph Rowe, who provides copious notes and footnotes.
The translation has two parts. The first part is a full translation of what remains from the original gospel text by Miriam of Magdala--whom many believe to be Mary Magdalene. The second part includes a section by section translation and commentary.
I enjoyed this book immensely, and found it inspiring and beautiful, reading a little bit every day. Readers of THE ALABASTER JAR will not be disappointed. This text is a message of love and hope from one who was close to 'The Teacher'. The reviewer who discounted the book is blind--in my humble opinion. MM is a devotional in which Mary shares what she experienced with Yeshua whom the apostles called Jesus. She inspires me to repeat her words--"Let he or she who has eyes SEE."
Rating:
Summary: Profound and scholarly
Review: This is quite simply the best exegesis ever written of this gospel. The translation is also readable, though since I'm not a Coptic scholar, I can't say how it compares with others in print. Leloup's insights combine both hard-nosed historical scholarship and a deep sensitivity to spritual and philosophical questions, the fruit of a person who has done inner work on himself, not merely academic intellectual work. This quality alone separates it from all the other versions in print, which fall short on philosophical depth.
Rating: 
Summary: I Liked The Female Perspective, But There Is Another Book...
Review: What I enjoyed the most about The Gospels of Mary Magdalene was the fact that it was written with a female perspective. As a woman I find the Old Testament to be "Barbaric" at times towards women. Jesus loved everyone equally rather male or female. The only problem I had with this book was that it left me wanting to know more. I found more in a book here on Amazon called The Book of Thomas by Daniel Aber and Gabreael that went places most author's fear to tread. It is written from an Esoteric Christian perspective as well. It dealt with issues such as The Christ Consciousness, Universal Law, The Genetic Code, The Levels of Heaven and Hell, Reincarnation, and much more.
Rating:
Summary: A Little Goes a Long Way
Review: While the Gospel of Mary Magdalene is incomplete, it gives a sample of some beliefs and perspectives that were rejected by the early Church. You cannot read it alone, however. Accompany it with the Gospel of Thomas, the Odes of Solomon, and other gnostic works and you get a complete understanding of the Gnostic perspective, i.e., Christ is within.
The commentary is excellent and helps to clarify the historicity of the gnostic philosophy.
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