i really really really wanted to like this book. really. but i just had some real problems.

the main one is that i kept taking my background and what ive learned and applying it. its really conflicting. i think this wouldve been a much better story if id never heard of jesus.

from the very start this was a little hard because a lot of names and biblical references are thrown in and as i was reading it i was just really confused. the author shouldve either kept the names and references out or explained them.

also- i understand that the novel is a work of fiction and based on what LITTLE is known about mary magdalene. but....

!!SPOILER!!!
the fact that she had 7 demons in her is just...ridiculous. theres a ton of posession going on. i mean how many demons are there and was the issue that bad? its like one of out every 10 people they meet has a demon in them. yeah...

!!!SPOILER!!!
and jesus- his character is not portrayed as ive been taught. he will only take israelites on as his disciples (prejudiced much?) and he makes threats towards entire towns if they dont follow him. (open minded much?) towards the end of the story he becomes this crazy vengeful guy and im like what? who is this? and why does he not figure out thats hes the messiah until the end? huh?

!!!SPOILER!!!
jesus' family- ok they disown him because he decides to leave and teach. they dont believe he is the chosen one. weren't joseph and mary warned that they were having this miracle baby who was going to change the world? why would they disown him and why would his siblings loathe him? is the whole away in a manager thing ignored here? and did he really have a ton of brothers and sisters?

!!!SPOILER!!!
mary magdalene- im really disapointed in her character. she seemed like a pretty strong cool girl. but she freaking leaves her baby behind. how uncool is that? and she was married? she just doesnt seem like this amazing strong woman ive always pictured her to be. shes actually weak and annoying.

she also gains the power to heal people through jesus. if this were in any way possible, wouldnt jesus have had everyone he taught learn to heal and then they heal and then everyone is forever healed? and if everyone can heal why is he the special one. his disciples can heal through him so arent they just as good?

the end of the book really has so little to do with mary magdalene and more about jesus. i felt like the author totally lost focus.

honestly, i skimmed the last 50 or so pages i was just tired of it. i really wanted to like it. and if i was able to read it as a story and not put my knowledge into it it mightve been better. but not great.

I loved this book. It gives a different view on a very controversial character from the Bible.

i really wanted to like this book. i even violated the 100 page rule!
i got annoyed with the portrayal of women...i know... i know.. women were treated that way. i just could not take it this time.
i also thought the betrayal of Mary was totally wrong.
i have read other books by this author but this one just did nto sit right with me.

All and all this was a good book. The story was an interesting one, but the book drug on a little too long. I felt that she could have made the book about 200 pages shorter and created an evan more compelling story. That aside, Marys charicter is wonderful. I truley admired her strength and courage. I enjoyed seeing characters from the Bible come to life and portrayed in such a human way with flaws and all. I would recomend this book, but with the warning "it is as long as it looks".

I suggested this book (having read it before) for my Christian Women's book club to read during the Lenten season. They were a little freaked out about its size, but they all loved it. Very well researched, historically accurate details about daily life & roles of women and men during that time period. A perfect read during the Lenten season.

I just completed the book last night, and it has taken a while! What I liked best about it was the "human" face it put on all the players: Jesus, Mary Magdalene, the disciples, the families. In Biblical accounts, the reader tends to forget that these were humans with all their flaws and complicated histories, as well as families to consider. Ms. George does an amazing job of research in all her books, and I have thoroughly enjoyed each one. She does an excellent job of blending history with carefully created fiction.

This was a very good book. So interesting to have a peak into what her life may have been like growing up as well as the roles of women during that time and within that culture.

What an interesting take on an age-old story. Beautiful!

Unusual book, but very well done. It is a fictional book and a good one. Some may find it problematic, but it is really good.

Excellent book.... I learned so much and really found it the perfect Lenten devotional... would highly recommend this and the Red Tent

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This was a very interesting book. I had no idea of the struggles that Mary went through in her life before meeting Christ and becoming his follower. It was engrossing and though it is a long book, I was able to read it quickly. If you want to get an idea of what day to day life for a disciple would have been like, this is the book for you!

Once again Margaret George took me back into time. This gave an insight to what Mary's life may have been like. I throughly enjoyed it.

One of my most favorite books. Was going to lend this to my mother, but decided to lend this out to PBS instead. Made me open my eyes and love Mary and Christ even more. God bless!

very good book.

Okay book about the Mary Magdalene.

A thought provoking look at what might have happened... a must read for any female who feels a excluded from history

excellent

A powerful, intriguing take on one of the most important women in Christianity.

600+ page book. It provides a great perspective on Mary Magdelene.

A vivid re-creation of Mary Magdalene's life story, using testaments, letters, and narrative to convincingly capture Mary's voice as she moves from girlhood to womanhood. Shows how she becomes part of the circle of disciples, and comes to grip with the divine.

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