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The Mystery of Martha
Two women, two millennia apart, with seemingly unconnected lives – one from the English Lake District and the other from Bethany in Palestine. Neither is sure of their role or purpose, which leaves in them feelings of emptiness and uncertainty.
Martha of Bethany has Yeshua as friend and guide. From a place of tenderness and intimacy, she witnesses the last three years of his life and sees him embody the mystery and power of love. This leads her on a journey to the Sacred Isles where she finds her own pathway to awakening.
Martha from Borrowdale’s story begins in 2000 AD as she faces challenges that expose her deepest fears and insecurities. With her partner Ben, she discovers the mystical Aramaic teachings of Yeshua that offer her a pathway to Self-realisation and freedom.
These two redemptive stories weave alongside each other until finally they converge. It is a tale of revelation and mystery that uplifts and transforms.
Martha of Bethany has Yeshua as friend and guide. From a place of tenderness and intimacy, she witnesses the last three years of his life and sees him embody the mystery and power of love. This leads her on a journey to the Sacred Isles where she finds her own pathway to awakening.
Martha from Borrowdale’s story begins in 2000 AD as she faces challenges that expose her deepest fears and insecurities. With her partner Ben, she discovers the mystical Aramaic teachings of Yeshua that offer her a pathway to Self-realisation and freedom.
These two redemptive stories weave alongside each other until finally they converge. It is a tale of revelation and mystery that uplifts and transforms.
353 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 26, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
December 14, 2020
Mixed feelings
I am halfway through reading this book (Kindle shows 50%). It's been a difficult one for me to read. I've actually started and stopped it several times, not sure if I like it well enough to continue. The story is for the most part interesting, but there are some rather slow passages. I also have a bit of difficulty with the transitions between the two timelines. I've not yet seen much of a connection between them apart from the main characters, Martha, having the same name; perhaps that is in part why I'm having such difficulty with reading. At this point, I'm not sure if I will continue reading or not. Rarely do I not finish a book; time will tell if I decide to pick this one up again. If I do finish at some point, I will update my review.
I've also had a bit of difficulty getting used some of the Aramaic names, L'azar for Lazarus and Yohanin for John the Baptist, etc. While most of them are fairly easy to interpret and understand, it has been a bit of a deterrent for me in enjoying the story.
The biggest issue I've had with this book is theological. First, let me say that I am a Christian, Southern Baptist. I realize that my beliefs will certainly impact my enjoyment of any type of religious and/or spiritual text I read. Having stated that, there seems to be a sense of "mysticism" in certain passages, and I have a problem with that. I also do not believe that Jesus and Mary Magdalene had an intimate relationship beyond friendship. This book states that they had a husband/wife relationship and were parents of a child. This also goes against my belief system. There are other issues I've encountered as well, but those are my main two objections.
Having shared my displeasures, I would like to state that there were some things about the book I've enjoyed. The characters seem to be fairly well-developed and interesting. I've enjoyed their interactions, for the most part. On occasion, I have discovered a passage or two that especially resonates. One such quote I enjoyed from the book follows:
Jesus speaking to Martha, Lazarus and others:
I am halfway through reading this book (Kindle shows 50%). It's been a difficult one for me to read. I've actually started and stopped it several times, not sure if I like it well enough to continue. The story is for the most part interesting, but there are some rather slow passages. I also have a bit of difficulty with the transitions between the two timelines. I've not yet seen much of a connection between them apart from the main characters, Martha, having the same name; perhaps that is in part why I'm having such difficulty with reading. At this point, I'm not sure if I will continue reading or not. Rarely do I not finish a book; time will tell if I decide to pick this one up again. If I do finish at some point, I will update my review.
I've also had a bit of difficulty getting used some of the Aramaic names, L'azar for Lazarus and Yohanin for John the Baptist, etc. While most of them are fairly easy to interpret and understand, it has been a bit of a deterrent for me in enjoying the story.
The biggest issue I've had with this book is theological. First, let me say that I am a Christian, Southern Baptist. I realize that my beliefs will certainly impact my enjoyment of any type of religious and/or spiritual text I read. Having stated that, there seems to be a sense of "mysticism" in certain passages, and I have a problem with that. I also do not believe that Jesus and Mary Magdalene had an intimate relationship beyond friendship. This book states that they had a husband/wife relationship and were parents of a child. This also goes against my belief system. There are other issues I've encountered as well, but those are my main two objections.
Having shared my displeasures, I would like to state that there were some things about the book I've enjoyed. The characters seem to be fairly well-developed and interesting. I've enjoyed their interactions, for the most part. On occasion, I have discovered a passage or two that especially resonates. One such quote I enjoyed from the book follows:
Jesus speaking to Martha, Lazarus and others:
Living as Light means that you also cast shadows. You reflect back to others what they do not wish to see in themselves. When this happens, people with judge and even revile you. But when we are attached, it is a change for us to find more compassion in our hearts. Love is fathomless and has now bounds. Some people love me, while others what to see me stoned. It is of no tatter. By standing in truth and love, we serve the fulfillment of creation by shining light into the darkness. They persecuted the prophets who came before us, and they will persecute me. But it is a supreme gift and you will see.
January 14, 2021
The Mystery Of Martha by Eliza Harrison is a unique kind of mystery novel that is set against the historical backdrop and inlaced with spiritualism that takes the reader on a surreal journey.
I was intrigued about this book from the start because spiritualism is a little hard to blend into a historical mystery and so I was curious to see how the plot unravelled. It was good for the most part and the writing was good. The narration wasn’t the best but it made for easy listening and I appreciated it a lot. The overall concept was a little out of my personal comfort zone, but it still made for a good and engaging read.
I think that if you are into spirituality and like reading experimental literature revolving around it then you’d appreciate this book a lot more than me and it would make for a really good read.
I was intrigued about this book from the start because spiritualism is a little hard to blend into a historical mystery and so I was curious to see how the plot unravelled. It was good for the most part and the writing was good. The narration wasn’t the best but it made for easy listening and I appreciated it a lot. The overall concept was a little out of my personal comfort zone, but it still made for a good and engaging read.
I think that if you are into spirituality and like reading experimental literature revolving around it then you’d appreciate this book a lot more than me and it would make for a really good read.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews