Mary, called Magdalene

Margaret George's historical novel reconstructs the life of Mary Magdalene, one of Jesus' closest followers, from her early years through her time with Jesus and beyond. The story presents Mary as a complex woman from a privileged background who undergoes profound personal and spiritual transformations. The narrative traces Mary's path from her conventional life in Magdala through her struggles with demons and eventual healing by Jesus. Her decision to follow Jesus leads her away from her established social position into a new role as one of his disciples. The book chronicles Mary's experiences during Jesus' ministry, including her observations of his teachings, miracles, and interactions with different segments of society in first-century Judea. Her perspective offers a woman's view of events traditionally told through male voices. This historical reimagining explores themes of faith, transformation, and the role of women in religious history, presenting Mary Magdalene not as a marginal figure but as a central witness to pivotal events in Christianity's founding.

Readers describe this as a detailed historical fiction account that humanizes Mary Magdalene while staying grounded in biblical scholarship. Many found it brought first-century Judea to life through rich cultural details and political context. Readers appreciated: - The portrayal of Mary as a complex woman dealing with epilepsy and social stigma - Historical accuracy and research into daily life, customs, and beliefs - The balanced portrayal of Jesus as both human and divine - Female perspective on biblical events Common criticisms: - Slow pacing in the middle sections - Too much focus on Mary's early life before meeting Jesus - Length (679 pages) felt excessive to some - Some religious readers objected to fictional elements Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (6,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (450+ ratings) "Brings Mary Magdalene out of the shadows of history" - Amazon reviewer "Made me rethink everything I thought I knew about her" - Goodreads reviewer

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🔸 The real Mary Magdalene's hometown, Magdala, was a prosperous fishing town on the Sea of Galilee, known for its fish-salting industry and tower ("Migdal" in Hebrew means tower). 🔸 Margaret George spent seven years researching and writing this novel, including visits to archaeological sites in Israel and consulting with biblical scholars. 🔸 The "seven demons" mentioned in the Bible as being cast out of Mary Magdalene were historically interpreted by some scholars as referring to physical or mental illnesses rather than literal demon possession. 🔸 The author Margaret George is renowned for her exhaustively researched historical novels, including bestsellers about Henry VIII, Cleopatra, and Helen of Troy. 🔸 Contrary to popular belief and artistic depictions over centuries, there is no biblical evidence that Mary Magdalene was a prostitute - this was a misconception that arose from Pope Gregory I's sermon in 591 CE.