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93rd out of 203 books
—
452 voters
The Moon Under Her Feet
Narrative weaving the biblical account of Mary and Jesus, the Egyptian myth of Isis and Osiris, and the Sumerian story of Inanna and Dumuzi to create an exotic tale of a strong, sensual woman.
From Publishers Weekly
This feminist retelling of the conception, birth, life and death of Christ as narrated by Mary Magdalene may cause some uproar in Christian circles. Yeshua (Chri...more
From Publishers Weekly
This feminist retelling of the conception, birth, life and death of Christ as narrated by Mary Magdalene may cause some uproar in Christian circles. Yeshua (Chri...more
Paperback, 315 pages
Published
February 1st 1991
by HarperOne
(first published 1989)
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Wow! This book made sense out of the Biblical tale of Christ and Mary Magdalene. With a goddess worshipping vibe and tie-in to Sacred Marriage, this book relieved for me some of my problems with the mainstream presentation of the relationship between Jesus and Mary (not his mom, although that is explained as well). An eye-opener and great romance. I loved it when I first read it and enjoyed it just as much reading it several years later.
Dec 14, 2007
Lucy
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
feminists, people interested in alternative versions of biblical stories
This author did a lot of research and presents the story of Mary Magdalene as priestess in the days of Goddess worship. Some people feel that this was deliberately excluded from the Bible by later patriarchs who wrote it to better serve their needs.
Jun 10, 2012
Lisa (Harmonybites)
rated it
1 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Pagans?
Recommended to Lisa (Harmonybites) by:
Gerri's Gift
Shelves:
historical-fiction,
religion,
spirituality,
novels,
fiction,
2012-around-the-world,
romance
This was given to me by a friend whose literary tastes I respect, but I'm afraid this a case of a novel that however well-written I couldn't wrap my mind around. The subtitle of the novel is "The Story of Mari Magdalene in the Service of the Great Mother." It's the first person account of the figure we know as Mary Magdalene in the New Testament and here the wife of Jesus. This was written over a decade before The Da Vinci Code, but given her Notes and Bibliography at the back of the book shares...more
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Wow! I couldn't put this one down. It's heart wrenching and so beautiful! It's the kind of book that really takes you away. I starting taking my own path very seriously after reading it. I firmly believe that every woman (and any man open to it) could learn a lot from this book and relate to more than one character. Enjoy!
A friend turned me onto this book years ago, and it immediately etched a permanent place in my memory. I'm always fascinated by the foundations of religion, separating the facts from the myths and looking into the people who lived the events as real flesh-and-blood people.
"The Moon Under Her Feet" reads like a novel but incorporates a great deal of research into the events surrounding the life and death of Jesus and the beginnings of the Christian faith. Keeping in mind that at that time in his...more
"The Moon Under Her Feet" reads like a novel but incorporates a great deal of research into the events surrounding the life and death of Jesus and the beginnings of the Christian faith. Keeping in mind that at that time in his...more
This is a beautiful book, and I have read it several times already. Not only is the story great, very involving and well written, but the imagery and historical references are accurate and scholarly. As a woman interested in the often under-represented female perspective on historical events, this book fills a need for fully fleshed out mythical perspectives on life. At first I wondered if the alternate take on Christian myth would be sort of like a vegetarian version of a meat dish, interesting...more
Jun 10, 2008
Carole
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
anyone who has an open mind
Recommended to Carole by:
Debb
This is the story of Yeshua (Jesus) and his life as told by Mari (Mary) the Magdalene. It's a different slant on the lives and times of Jesus and his followers and family. It parallels a story line such as the Da Vinci Code.
The "Red Tent" version of the story of Mary Magdalene--makes me look at her in an entirely different way. Exquisitely written.
I have this book over and over. It is a different version of the of Mary Magdalene and Jesus and it is very interesting.
Story is okay, but the bibliography is amazing! The story is another take on the whole Mary Magdalene story. In this one, MM meets the Virgin Mary at the College of Virgins, basically an area within a temple for young women to receive religious training. MM is also Mary of Bethany, sister to Lazarus and Martha. MM eventually marries Jesus, who also has a twin brother, Seth, also called Judas. It gets confusing....but it's somewhat interesting. The author is a professor who thoroughly annotates t...more
this is a very interesting take on the Christian narrative--fictional, of course, but thought-provoking.
This book is one of my favorite examples of creative myth-making. Kinstler draws a compelling (if non-historical) portrait of Goddess worship carried out in the temple in ancient Jerusalem and places Mary Magdalene and Jesus squarely within the larger Ancient Near Eastern tradition of sacred/sacrificed kings. Kinstler supplements the canonical gospel accounts with material drawn from the Gnostic gospels, adding an additional level of authenticity to her fiction.
If you take the story on its own t...more
If you take the story on its own t...more
This imaginitive telling of the Christ story repositions Mary Magdalene as a high priestess of the Goddess and Jesus as the son of another high priestess.
Though there is archaelogical support for much of the historical information presented, the characterizations of Mary and Jesus are ultimately disappointingly weak. Both characters are described as charismatic, inspiring the devotion of a multitude of followers, but none of this charisma is conveyed. I didn't feel especially drawn to either cha...more
Though there is archaelogical support for much of the historical information presented, the characterizations of Mary and Jesus are ultimately disappointingly weak. Both characters are described as charismatic, inspiring the devotion of a multitude of followers, but none of this charisma is conveyed. I didn't feel especially drawn to either cha...more
One of the few books I've read more than once. Love it!
I am excited to see this here! I read this many years ago and could not quite remember the author or correct title. I want to read it again now that I am a mother. I remember it as a very powerful version of the Jesus story told through the perspective of the Marys and other New Testament women. I learned a lot that we did not get taught in catholic school. Though of course, it is the author's fictional account, she has historical elements and a good grasp of the role of women in early religion....more
I enjoyed this as a sort of biblical "Mists of Avalon" - an epic reinterpretation a familiar character from history and myth - and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys that genre as well as those interested in the history of Goddess religions or who are open to speculation on the origins of Christianity.
"The Moon Under Her Feet" is rich with feminine spirituality while still maintaining a reverence for the original tale. I find the author's speculation of Mari Magadelene's origins and relati...more
"The Moon Under Her Feet" is rich with feminine spirituality while still maintaining a reverence for the original tale. I find the author's speculation of Mari Magadelene's origins and relati...more
this is a feminist take on the birth, life and death of Jesus, told from the point of view of Mary Magdelene. The fictionalized account tells how Mary Magdelene was dedicated to the Goddess, how she became a prostitute, (in the eyes of the patriarchial society that was forming), and how she met Jesus.
This was overall a great take on the life of Jesus and I will return to it again. There were a few points, though, where I had to stretch imagination. Overall, it was a good read.
This was overall a great take on the life of Jesus and I will return to it again. There were a few points, though, where I had to stretch imagination. Overall, it was a good read.
This book isn't for everyone. While it is fiction, it tells a rather different version of the story of Jesus Christ, through the eyes of the women in his life. If the idea that Jesus might not have been the product of immaculate conception bothers you, than I wouldn't try this. If, on the other hand, the idea that there might be another explanation for life intrigues you, then I can't recommend this one enough. It's beautiful written, and very compelling.
A very interesting novel based upon the Gnostic texts traditional scripture and of course the writer's imagination. I found it hard not to love the way this book portrayed Mary Magdalen and the way she approached some of the complexities of Christianity (such as the figure of Judas).
This book really held my attention and I found this version of the Story of Magdalene and Jesus to be more realistic than many I've heard. They embody the myth of Osiris and Isis as priestess and priest.
Jul 22, 2008
Steph
added it
I feel very conflicted about this book. I was struck by Kinstler's vision of the Jesus story and her creation of Goddess culture 2,000 years ago but I was offended by the anti-antisemitism in her writing. While everyone in the book is Jewish, the good Jews have Roman blood, red or light hair, pink bottoms and light skin and eyes while the 'bad' Jews (Herod and his people) are 'swarthy', 'hooked nosed' with 'dark ringlet hair'. Jesus and Mary Magdalene were most likely olive skinned with dark hai...more
A most unusal retelling of the story of Mary and Jesus, from a feminist perspective, which never ever lessens the meaning of Jesus, his teachings or his sacrfice.
Feb 05, 2013
Jennifer
added it
Wonder retelling of the story of Mary Magdeline and Jesus.. I have read and re-read this book over and over.. I wish I could get my hands on another copy.
This book has been with me thru so many years and so many copies. I have lent it to friends, foes, and brought my daughter up on it. An Amazing book!
This book was amazing, and came along at a point in my life when I really needed to read it. Around '98. :)
Feb 16, 2012
Marga Ayers
added it
Excellent book. The story of Jesus and Mary Magdalen told from her point of view.
Great review of thy hymns to Inanna. And great quotes which sent me to other books.
Beautiful! I loved the mythological feel of the prose, and how it weaved pagan/Goddessy beliefs into the Judeo-Christian tradition, resulting in one rich and colorful whole. Kinstler makes the characters feel legendary and human at the same time--brought tears to my eyes in many places. Sure, it's probably not the way things "really happened" (neither is the Bible, most likely), but some parts *might* be, which leaves you with a sparkle of excitement. In short, any book that made me this proud t...more
The first immaculate conception explanation I can get behind.
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Clysta Kinstler teaches philosophy, religion, and women's studies at American River College in Sacremento, California.
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“Simon, you gave me no water to wash my feet, but this woman as washed them with her tears. You gave me no kiss, but she has not ceased to kiss my feet. Do no reproach her Simon for you did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed me for my burial.”
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