Mary, Called Magdalene

by Margaret George

Mary, Called Magdalene

book data

739 ratings, 3.74 average rating, 130 reviews (more data...)

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published

May 27th 2003 by Penguin (Non-Classics)

binding

Paperback, 656 pages

isbn

0142002798 (isbn13: 9780142002797)

description

Of all the women in the Bible, perhaps no one's presence has been as constantly reinterpreted as that of Mary Magdalene. Was she a prostitute? A proph...more

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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 1080)

All ratings | 5 stars (199) | 4 stars (270) | 3 stars (170) | 2 stars (72) | 1 star (24) | avg 3.74

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Dymphna

Dymphna rated it:

06/01/08

Read in June, 2008

While this is a fascinating book in terms of the historical details of daily life in the first century, I have to disagree with the review in Publisher's Weekly which states that it "imagines nothing seriously objectionable to even the most devout Christians." That isn't true if one counts Catholics as "devout Christians".

First of all, the book's portrayal of Mary, the Mother of Jesus is problematic for Catholics. It portrays her as joining Jesus' siblings (another pr...more

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Caledonia

Caledonia rated it:

07/13/08

Read in January, 2002

I’ll admit that this review is going to be fairly biased because I absolutely adore Margaret George’s books ever since picking up a copy of Mary Queen of Scotland and the Isles a few years ago. Mary Stuart is one of my favourite historical characters and Ms George captured her character perfectly. Afterwards, I went straight out and bought her first book The Autobiography of Henry VIII but was disappointed. In fact it is the only one of her books that I’ve never finished and ...more I’ll admit that this review is going to be fairly biased because I absolutely adore Margaret George’s books ever since picking up a copy of Mary Queen of Scotland and the Isles a few years ago. Mary Stuart is one of my favourite historical characters and Ms George captured her character perfectly. Afterwards, I went straight out and bought her first book The Autobiography of Henry VIII but was disappointed. In fact it is the only one of her books that I’ve never finished and I feel it is mainly due to the fact that I’ve never really been interested in Henry VIII.

The third book The Memoirs of Cleopatra did much to restore my confidence and was a thrilling journey through Ancient Egypt and the life of one of history’s most intriguing females. I enjoyed it immensely, although I do have one word of caution, avoid the series that was made and just read the book.

So it was with great excitement that I noted the release of her latest book Mary Called Magdalene which I read almost in one sitting. I was a little nervous about the subject matter since I’m not a Christian and not in the habit of reading books about religious figures. All I remembered about Mary Magdalene was that she was supposed to be a harlot who washed Jesus’s feet and dried them with her long hair. In fact not much is known at all about this woman despite the fact that she remains the subject of much debate and controversy.

Mary, Called Magdalene strips away the legend and gives a very moving portrayal of a real woman trying to come to grips with her own being. As usual, Ms George’s historical research is so meticulous and accurate that you believe every word she writes is a factual account of Mary of Magdala’s life. I was so convinced the events I was reading actually happened that I was astounded to read the author’s notes at the back of the book revealing that much of Mary’s life was merely based on how women of the time would have lived.

If rich historical details aren’t enough for you, the book is also threaded with the supernatural as Mary fights to free her soul from demons and seeks to find redemption as one of Jesus’s disciples. Mary’s torment as she tries to cleanse her spirit is very moving and touching, as is her eventual exile from her own family.

It’s been a while since I found a book so enthralling that I literally could not put it down but I was completely hooked from start to finish. Margaret George is a master storyteller who has a great gift for cutting to the heart of a legend and portraying the real people....less

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Jeanette

Jeanette rated it:

12/02/08

Read in December, 2008

recommended to Jeanette by: found it in my ma's garage
recommends it for: no one really

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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. even though i dont believe what i was taught, it kept coming to me as i read. i think this wouldve been a much better story if id never heard of jesus.

i'm not religious, though i was raised methodist, and have to admit ive lost a lot of what i learned.
from the very start this was a lit...more 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. even though i dont believe what i was taught, it kept coming to me as i read. i think this wouldve been a much better story if id never heard of jesus.

i'm not religious, though i was raised methodist, and have to admit ive lost a lot of what i learned.
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....

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...

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?

jesus' family- ok they disown him because he decides to leave and teach. they dont believe he is the chosen one. um- 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?

mary of magdalene- im really disapointed in her character. she seemed like a pretty strong cool girl. but she freaking leaves her baby behind. um- 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. ...less

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2 comments

Neesha

Neesha rated it:

12/02/07

bookshelves: contemporary-lit

Read in December, 2007

recommends it for: bibliophiles

I truly was disappointed by this book. Fans of the Red Tent will be let down if they decide to read this. First of all, the book is just too dense and the writing is too dry. I know it's dangerous to have too many expectations, but I thought this book was going to bring forward some new twist, a new take on Mary Magdalene's life, and all it did was basically tell the same story from her viewpoint. And a bad job of that, too. The reason I won't give this book one star is because there were s...more

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Dru

Dru rated it:

(review of isbn 0670030961)

07/12/07

Read in July, 2007

This book was amazing! Riveting with it's recollection, both from what we know in the Bible and fictional, Mary of Magdalene came to life. I was drawn to her, and couldn't stop reading about her story.

However there was one component missing, which I was severely disappointed about. When Jesus died on the cross, they wrote about everything that took place in the Bible, the storm, the darkening of the sky, the pouring of liquid out of his gash in his side... but... there was no earthquake nor ...more

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erin

erin rated it:

04/07/07

Read in June, 2006

From the jacket:

"Of all the women in the Bible, perhaps no one's presence has been as constantly reinterpreted as that of Mary Magdalene. Was she a prostitute? A prophet? Cast out from her family after Jesus expels the demons that have ravaged her mind, Mary follows the man from Nazareth until they receive attention from the skeptical hordes and the Roman magistrates controlling Jerusalem."

That pretty much sums up the book, a fictionalization based on biblical texts and researc...more

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Sara

Sara rated it:

05/20/07

bookshelves: fiction

Read in May, 2007

I really enjoyed this book - I had it on my bookshelf at home for several years, lonely and untouched. It was on the "to read" list and somehow never made it higher. I had just finished Red Tent and needed something for the train ride - the library was closed - I found this on my shelf. It starts a bit slow, following Mary as a child, and then gets pretty gripping as she becomes possessed by multiple demons. Once she becomes a disciple, I was impressed at how well the author brought t...more

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Karen

Karen rated it:

01/20/08

bookshelves: historical-fiction

Read in January, 2008

recommends it for: those interested in the stories of the Bible and its characters

Loved it. As usual, Margaret George both educates and entertains. I always found reading the actual Bible to be difficult...hard to relate to, hard to even make connections about what was being described and how it happened. Even though this is a fictionalized account, George tells a compelling story that gives the factual portions more significance and meaning (for me, at least) and helped make the New Testament stories more accessible. I found the story SO compelling, that I even got the B...more

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Eileen

Eileen rated it:

09/21/08

This book started well, with the telling of Mary's early life - including an encounter with a teenage Jesus. While still young, Mary becomes "infected" by a demon who seems harmless at first. She grows up and marries a good and faithful man. She struggles with her demon and searches for a cure and this search takes her away from her family and eventually leads her to Jesus. I struggled with this book. I did not find the portrayal of Mary believable. She is shown as strong and loving in...more

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Jennifer

Jennifer rated it:

02/28/08

bookshelves: historicalfiction, saga

Read in January, 2008

Well this was certainly an interesting perspective on who Mary Magdalene was... a lot of literary license was taken in developing her background, considering she is only mentioned a small handful of times in the actual Bible... the author did her research well though, and did not jump on the "Mary was Jesus' wife" bandwagon, though the entire 2nd half of the book, which was focused on Jesus' ministry, from start to finish, was portrayed so eloquently, and it actually helped me understa...more

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Jarrah

Jarrah rated it:

11/30/08

Read in March, 2002

This book made me want to pick up the bible and read through it again with a different approach.
This is one of my favorites and you learn a lot about biblical history too.

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Kristy

Kristy rated it:

10/20/07

Read in November, 2007

So far this is a slow slow slow read. I couldn't finish it when it was required reading for a women in the bible theology class in college, but I won't let the book defeat me, so I'm trying again.

George spends a lot of time reitterating the points she's already spelled out quite plainly. The result- in my case is boredom. The concept is interesting- to see Mary in a different (more fleshed out) light within the context of the time and social settings. It also provides a unique, close-up ...more

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Jess

Jess rated it:

04/02/08

I adore this book, and have recommended it to many people, including my BF's mom who is a minister. She fell for it as well.

Obviously this is a retelling of the story of Mary Magdalene. Margaret George goes in the direction that Mary was the Apostle of Apostles, the most trusted adviser.

Most of the book faithfully retells the Old Testament (yes, even though I'm an atheist I've read the Old Testament and am fascinated by it) with one glaring exception. The exception is that in this story...more

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Stephanie

Stephanie rated it:

(review of isbn 0670030961)

07/16/07

Read in September, 2006

I have to get this book back - hint, hint to the person I lent it to!

I love Margaret George's "biographies" and "autobiographies". She researches historical figures (Henry VIII, Mary of Scots, Cleopatra) and writes her novels as if they were written by that character or someone from their time period.

After reading, and completely falling for, Mary Magdalene, I was surprised to read in the afterword that there is very little really known about her childho...more

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Julianna

Julianna rated it:

08/20/08

i really loved this book. what a perspective! as a recommendation from my mother, the librarian who loves historical fiction, i was hesitant at first. it makes me want to tackle the big one-the Bible. the story of this woman is so intriguing and mysterious and fulfilling. i am christian and struggle with a lot of common misconceptions - my own and others - of the faith. this book opened my mind to even more mysteries while confirming others. and still, i am very aware that it is fiction. such a ...more

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Jessica

Jessica rated it:

09/10/08

bookshelves: fiction

This is a fictionalized autobiography of Mary Magadalene. I am facinated with female bible mythology. This book definately held my attention, and was well written. I was somewhat irritated that the author strayed away from some of the questions about Mary (that she was either a prostitute or Jesus' wife), but after reading the afterwards and understanding why she decided based on evidance that Mary was neither of those, I understand why she did it. It looks like this author has done other f...more

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Lady3jane

Lady3jane rated it:

07/22/07

Read in March, 2007

I really enjoyed this one. Even though I know the underlying story well, i.e. the life of Jesus, I found myself unable to put it down at times, reading in eager anticipation for what happens next? It made me chuckle at times, thinking to myself what's going to happen, are they going to be ok, and then realizing, duh, Jesus is crucified tomorrow. Oops, hope I didn't just spoil it for you! Don't let that ruin the book for you: there's quite a bit after the crucifiction, and of course, story of Jes...more

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Kady

Kady rated it:

09/29/08

Read in September, 2008

Normally I like Margaret George's stuff. Her "Cleopatra" is one of my favorites, but I had a hard time getting into this one. I felt that Mary was portrayed as a very passive person: Things happened to her and she reacted and that's about it. The historical character of Mary is such a blank slate and in the author notes George mentioned that she tried to make Mary as typical of her time as she could. But I think she may have gone too far.

At any rate, I got through it but I doubt I...more

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Jodi

Jodi rated it:

12/30/07

Perhaps it is because I read this during a time of serious questioning of my faith (Christianity) or perhaps it is because I had read Margaret George's Helen of Troy (enjoyed it) and was looking for more good historical fiction. Whatever the reason, I really liked this book. Theology, or moreover, the marketing of "history" in Christianity is fascinating to me, so looking at this VIP in Jesus' life from a new direction was truly enjoyable. I will say that it got a bit long in parts,...more

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Lauren

Lauren rated it:

07/09/07

This book is beautifully written. It tells the story of Mary Magdalene from her childhood to late adulthood: her journey of growing up in Magdala, marrying, and eventually becoming possessed by demons. Christ releases her from the demons' power and she is transformed into a new person. However, she is shunned and ostracized by her family, leading her to find refuge with Jesus' other disciples and making His ministry her life work too. It's a fast read and really makes the Gospels come alive!

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