Mary Magdalen: A Chronicle

by Edgar Saltus

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Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction

Nook

Published November 9, 2010

About the author

Edgar Evertson Saltus was an American writer known for his highly refined prose style. Saltus received a law degree from Columbia University in 1880.
Saltus wrote two books of philosophy, The Philosophy of Disenchantment and The Anatomy of Negation. Acclaimed by fellow writers in his day, Saltus fell into obscurity after his death.

Reviews

[Zvonimir · Rating 3 out of 5]

Turned a sketch of a biblical character to the center of the then known world. She's the very fabric of everyone's fascination.

[Susan Molloy · Rating 5 out of 5]

🖊 Mary Magdalen is the first Edgar Saltus work that I read, and I was wildly pleased overall. The story follows the life and ultimate conversion of Mary Magdalen.

This story begins with a scene of a sporting event at Herod Antipas’ place:

Overhead was a sky of troubled blue; beyond, a lake. “They are off!” The strip of silk had fluttered and fallen, the gates flew open, there was a rumble of wheels, a whirlwind of sand, a yell that deafened, and four tornadoes burst upon the track. They were shell-shaped, and before each six horses tore abreast. Between the horses’ ears were swaying feathers; their manes had been dyed clear pink, the forelocks puffed; and as they bounded, the drivers, standing upright, had the skill to guide but not the strength to curb. About their waists the reins were tied; at the side a knife hung; from the forehead the hair was shaven; and everything they wore, the waistcoat, the short skirt, the ribbons, was of one color, scarlet, yellow, emerald, or blue: and this color, repeated on the car and on the harness, distinguished them from those with whom they raced.

As the story progresses, we meet Saint John the Baptist, Herodias and her daughter Salomé, Mary the Magdalene, Judas Iscariot, Saint Paul and Saint John, Jesus Christ, et al. Woven into the scenes are the other characters important and appropriate to this story. Saltus gave names to unnamed people or added them to give the story a bit more heft. Yet, there is nothing taken away from the message of conversion and redemption. Most importantly, this story is about Mary Magdalene, showing us her conversion to Christianity and her presence at Jesus Christ’s resurrection which helps to represent her own faith in everlasting life. There is a parallel plot of Judas Iscariot’s own struggles and evident non-conversion and suicide.

This story was beautifully written, with characters I actually cared about. The scenes were vivid, the dialogue was believable, and the plot was smooth.

This book is a great example of the Decadent Movement, a style of writing that begun in the late nineteenth century and continued on to some extent thereafter. Saltus’ writing style does not come across as ‘over-the-top’ as some authors in this genre have a tendency to be. I like it.

Why did Saltus write Mary Magdalen? According to Marie (Giles) Saltus, his third wife and biographer:

“During a summer abroad Mr. Saltus conceived the idea of writing "Mary Magdalen." The circumstances connected with it are interesting. He was dining in the rooms of Lord Francis Hope one evening. Oscar Wilde was another guest. After their liqueurs and cigars the latter sauntered about, looking at some of the pictures he fancied. One representing Salome intrigued him more than a little. Beckoning to Mr. Saltus, he said: "This picture calls me. I am going to write a classic—a play—'Salome.' It will be my masterpiece." Near it was a small picture of the Magdalen. "Do so," said Mr. Saltus, "and I will write a book—'Mary Magdalen.' We will pursue the wantons together."’

The only thing I was disappointed in Mary Magdalen is the obvious absence of Mother Mary, Jesus’ mother. She is nowhere. I could not guess why Saltus did not include her; all I do know is that he dabbled in Rosicrucianism and wanted a “Theosophical service” when he died (Edgar Saltus: The Man, 1925).

It took me just one day to read – about 3 hours total.

📕Published — 1891.

🪦More Edgar "Snipps" Saltus information can be found on this link at Find a Grave .

જ⁀ 🍋 Read public domain e-book on Project Gutenberg.
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[Aaron Meyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very intense retelling of biblical events. The focus is of course on Mary Magdalene and to a lesser degree on Judas. The author pulls you into the world of opposing customs and ideas shows how Mary is molded into the wanton woman she was and how she became free of those sins. The relationship between her and Judas was interesting and one looks upon him in the end with a great degree of pity. What I do enjoy about this story is how the author takes many obscure stories, pseudo pigraphia, and blended into the story filling it out a little more. A great read.

[Rod · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting follow-up to reading "Lamb" by Christopher Moore, with another interesting perspective on the character of Mary Magdalene. This is a much more serious novel; the triangle relationship here is between Mary and Judas and Jesus, and is much darker and more obscure than Moore's "gospel according to Biff"; some beautiful passages; wonderfully strange scenes; I am glad I ran across this and that it was easily available as an e-book. I'll read more Saltus.