What do you think?
Rate this book
Maeve Chronicles #3
Bright Dark Madonna
"Juicy controversy . . . in crisply drawn biblical settings."—Booklist
Pregnant with Jesus's child, Maeve becomes a mother on the lam (with the Virgin Mary in tow) when the early church fathers decide she is not fit to raise the savior's scion. The pair goes on to create their enduring legends in southern France.
Pregnant with Jesus's child, Maeve becomes a mother on the lam (with the Virgin Mary in tow) when the early church fathers decide she is not fit to raise the savior's scion. The pair goes on to create their enduring legends in southern France.
465 pages, Hardcover
First published March 17, 2015
22 people are currently reading
724 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
September 7, 2011
This is going to be a brief review because it's been several months since I read the book, but I saw this pop up on a friend's to-read list and realized I'd never reviewed it.
Have you ever read one of those "from the female perspective" retellings that purports to be the story of the female character, independent of her more famous male counterpart, but the story still fizzles out after the guy dies? And then you get the last 40 years of the woman's life condensed into 3 pages? Yeah, it annoys the crap out of me too. If it's her story, not his, then write her story. After reading a few of these, I was wary of Bright Dark Madonna, which tells the story of Maeve/Magdalene after Jesus dies.
But Elizabeth Cunningham does it right. Maeve really does have a story that goes on without him. We see her clash with the disciples, and raise her daughter Sara, and come face-to-face with middle age, and have a couple of new lovers who add something to her life without diminishing what has gone before. And it's moving, and it's funny. Highlights include her "Jesus liked to party" speech, and Sara's song, in which she declares her desire to make her own way regardless of what her famous parents did. I was also intrigued by the further development of the Virgin Mary; she's very pissed off now and I think I know what her ultimate agenda is.
At the end, Maeve prepares to head back toward Britain and see her older daughter again--implied to be Boudicca--and I'm happy to see Cunningham has even more planned for her feisty Magdalene. I think the change in the series title is significant. It was "The Magdalene Trilogy"...and now it's "The Maeve Chronicles," which suggests both that it's going to exceed three volumes and that Maeve's Celtic identity is going to begin to take precedence again.
I didn't love it quite as much as book two, but I enjoyed it, and I want to give it a medal for not falling into that "heroine becomes a non-entity after the hero dies" trap.
EDITED TO ADD: This book is also a great example of how an author can use anachronistic words and phrases intentionally, and do it well. It's jarring when an anachronism is used by accident by a writer who doesn't know any better. This is different. Cunningham uses modern colloquial language to humanize the characters and to convey the idea that they wouldn't really have spoken in highfalutin language all the time--they'd have used their own vernacular, and our vernacular is one way to get that across. There's one disciple who does speak highfalutin-ly all the time, and it's a running joke.
Have you ever read one of those "from the female perspective" retellings that purports to be the story of the female character, independent of her more famous male counterpart, but the story still fizzles out after the guy dies? And then you get the last 40 years of the woman's life condensed into 3 pages? Yeah, it annoys the crap out of me too. If it's her story, not his, then write her story. After reading a few of these, I was wary of Bright Dark Madonna, which tells the story of Maeve/Magdalene after Jesus dies.
But Elizabeth Cunningham does it right. Maeve really does have a story that goes on without him. We see her clash with the disciples, and raise her daughter Sara, and come face-to-face with middle age, and have a couple of new lovers who add something to her life without diminishing what has gone before. And it's moving, and it's funny. Highlights include her "Jesus liked to party" speech, and Sara's song, in which she declares her desire to make her own way regardless of what her famous parents did. I was also intrigued by the further development of the Virgin Mary; she's very pissed off now and I think I know what her ultimate agenda is.
At the end, Maeve prepares to head back toward Britain and see her older daughter again--implied to be Boudicca--and I'm happy to see Cunningham has even more planned for her feisty Magdalene. I think the change in the series title is significant. It was "The Magdalene Trilogy"...and now it's "The Maeve Chronicles," which suggests both that it's going to exceed three volumes and that Maeve's Celtic identity is going to begin to take precedence again.
I didn't love it quite as much as book two, but I enjoyed it, and I want to give it a medal for not falling into that "heroine becomes a non-entity after the hero dies" trap.
EDITED TO ADD: This book is also a great example of how an author can use anachronistic words and phrases intentionally, and do it well. It's jarring when an anachronism is used by accident by a writer who doesn't know any better. This is different. Cunningham uses modern colloquial language to humanize the characters and to convey the idea that they wouldn't really have spoken in highfalutin language all the time--they'd have used their own vernacular, and our vernacular is one way to get that across. There's one disciple who does speak highfalutin-ly all the time, and it's a running joke.
July 10, 2016
Breathless read
A real page turner especially for those who know the traditional stories about the Marys. Elizabeth turns them into real people with depth and character. It fills in the gaps in the way the stories were written. Who is to say there is not truth in this version, too? A fabulous read for those who are open to new ways of thinking.
A real page turner especially for those who know the traditional stories about the Marys. Elizabeth turns them into real people with depth and character. It fills in the gaps in the way the stories were written. Who is to say there is not truth in this version, too? A fabulous read for those who are open to new ways of thinking.
December 29, 2013
A very well written and original book--at least in terms of style. It manages to convey the look and feel of the historical time period (or at least it feels historical, I obviously wasn't actually there so I can't judge this too well), but at the same time is filled with clever and funny anachronistic commentary. It was also frequently beautiful and poetic, both in content and style. So why the low rating? I just couldn't make myself like this book, although I kept kicking myself and trying to make myself give it the benefit of the doubt. No matter how I looked at it and from which angle, it came off as the most misogynist thing I've ever read. I know it's a strange thing to say about a novel that tries so hard and so obviously to reaffirm the importance of feminine themes in religion, to rediscover women's stories and contributions in history, etc, etc. But regardless of its intentions, what does it actually do? It takes a famous but vague historical character of Mary Magdalen, claims to give her back her own story supposedly taken away from her by the Church, and then--makes her out to be the embodiment of every negative female stereotype known to Western civilization. She is the damsel in distress who won't stand up for herself despite the fact that she literally has superpowers. She is the dumb blonde who gets discredited by the male leaders of the new church because she doesn't at all understand (her own admission) any of their new theological teachings and doesn't know what to say to refute them. She is the hysterical female who is incapable of thinking rationally because of pregnancy or maternal instincts (again her own admission). She is the "little lady" who has no will or opinion of her own and always runs to her husband to ask him what to do. She is the camp follower who dragged along with her husband's ministry, despite the fact that she didn't share his religious beliefs and didn't like most of his friends. She claims to be the priestess, daughter, and incarnation of the Goddess, and Jesus' counterpart, and yet she never actually communicates with this Goddess, she just keeps asking Jesus what to do. What is she supposed to be the goddess of? Incompetence? The Christian gospels may have downplayed the importance of Jesus' female followers, but at least it never portrayed them as spineless or stupid...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 10, 2009
I'm very torn when writing this book review. Book 1 and 2 of the Maeve Chronicles are listed in my "favorite books ever" folder, and yet...I just can't justify giving this one a full 5 stars.
Once Cunningham hits her stride with this novel, it is riveting. However, when I first started it, I truly almost sent it back to the lending library. The first few chapters are full of tongue-in-cheek modern references that serve no purpose other than to jolt you out of the story Cunningham is trying to tell, and make things seem "fresh" when they don't need to be. The "blues" version song that begins one of the first chapters especially made me wince. Really...there's no need for such theatrics. I realize that Cunningham's Magdalen is a sassy and strong woman, and in her version of the story, her dove can poop on Christ's shoulder, and so on. But this just seemed to take it a little too far.
As I said, however, once Cunningham gets past this initial stumble, the book is riveting. However, even here I had some issues with the Maeve as portrayed in book 3. I hate books where...instead of the protagonist doing things, things just seem to "happen" to her. The action goes on around her and she just goes with the flow. About 2/3 of this book can be described in this way...the once strong and intelligent Maeve now just shrugs her shoulders and accepts whatever people say about her and her husband, and their life together. She lets other people make plans for her (although she does refuse to follow some of them...as I said...there is a third of the book where she wakes up) and Cunningham explains all of this away by saying "oh, she's in a pregnant haze" or some other excuse. Granted, I've never been pregnant, but I seriously doubt that Maeve's entire personality would be changed, and even if it was, it makes for a very boring character.
The book still gets 4 stars, because the tale is one you absolutely cannot put down. The action may be happening around Maeve while she sits there numbly, but the action itself is still riveting. Cunningham is still in many ways a cunning author, but as I said...this book just won't be going down in my list of "favorites-ever."
Once Cunningham hits her stride with this novel, it is riveting. However, when I first started it, I truly almost sent it back to the lending library. The first few chapters are full of tongue-in-cheek modern references that serve no purpose other than to jolt you out of the story Cunningham is trying to tell, and make things seem "fresh" when they don't need to be. The "blues" version song that begins one of the first chapters especially made me wince. Really...there's no need for such theatrics. I realize that Cunningham's Magdalen is a sassy and strong woman, and in her version of the story, her dove can poop on Christ's shoulder, and so on. But this just seemed to take it a little too far.
As I said, however, once Cunningham gets past this initial stumble, the book is riveting. However, even here I had some issues with the Maeve as portrayed in book 3. I hate books where...instead of the protagonist doing things, things just seem to "happen" to her. The action goes on around her and she just goes with the flow. About 2/3 of this book can be described in this way...the once strong and intelligent Maeve now just shrugs her shoulders and accepts whatever people say about her and her husband, and their life together. She lets other people make plans for her (although she does refuse to follow some of them...as I said...there is a third of the book where she wakes up) and Cunningham explains all of this away by saying "oh, she's in a pregnant haze" or some other excuse. Granted, I've never been pregnant, but I seriously doubt that Maeve's entire personality would be changed, and even if it was, it makes for a very boring character.
The book still gets 4 stars, because the tale is one you absolutely cannot put down. The action may be happening around Maeve while she sits there numbly, but the action itself is still riveting. Cunningham is still in many ways a cunning author, but as I said...this book just won't be going down in my list of "favorites-ever."
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 25, 2014
The whole Maeve Chronicles series is superlative, highly recommended, one of my favorites. I would recommend it for fans of strong women, Celtic fantasy, Biblical reinterpretation, myth and magic, Goddess fiction, the Mists of Avalon. In a nutshell, Mary Magdalen is re-visioned as a Celtic ex-pat and Jesus' wife, a magical and strong and sometimes foolish woman, and her tale spans the course of four well-researched and well-written books. Written with cheek and humor and glory and beauty, all at once.
In Book Three, Bright Dark Madonna, Maeve and her mother-in-law Miriam escape into the Galatian mountains to raise Maeve's daughter away from Jesus' followers, now arguing over how to found a church/movement/share the Way now that Jesus is gone. Of course, any daughter of Maeve will not be content to hide forever, and Jesus's message does not stay put, so more journeys ensue, including time in Ephesus.
I had a real sense of Maeve as Mother and as woman growing into her age - not crone yet, but getting older. We see old friends again, as her story begins to spiral back to the beginning.
In Book Three, Bright Dark Madonna, Maeve and her mother-in-law Miriam escape into the Galatian mountains to raise Maeve's daughter away from Jesus' followers, now arguing over how to found a church/movement/share the Way now that Jesus is gone. Of course, any daughter of Maeve will not be content to hide forever, and Jesus's message does not stay put, so more journeys ensue, including time in Ephesus.
I had a real sense of Maeve as Mother and as woman growing into her age - not crone yet, but getting older. We see old friends again, as her story begins to spiral back to the beginning.
November 12, 2018
I devoured the first 2/3rds of this book. I accidentally sent book for to the wrong address and had to slow this one down while I waited. I think I would have slowed it down anyway as I just did not want this book to end. I loved that Bright Dark Madonna had me researching images and historical and biblical facts. If Elizabeth Cunningham mentioned something I didn't know or that I questioned, I reached for my phone. There is so much in this book but I do not want to give any of the story away. I feel this book has to be read after The Passion of Mary Magdalen and Magdalen Rising (aka Daughter of the Shining Isle) in order to really understand how profound all the relationships are. Although the story could stand alone, it really should not. My only wish is that I had a time machine so I could experience the temple of Artemis at Ephesus with my own eyes.
January 22, 2022
This story keeps getting more and more compelling as we dive into the lesser known part of what happened after. So he's gone (or is he?) ... now what?!
This is one of the very few books I've ever read that also imagines a world for Sarah. I find that it's through seeing these worlds brought to life in plausible ways it becomes easier for me to find my own truth and wisdom as it's residing between all the possible imaginings and versions of the gospels being told. It helps me form an idea of what might have been left out and why - looking for the feminine principle in a story so thoroughly butchered by the patriarchy.
In one way my expectations were not met in this story though - I thought I'd learn more about Mary's story in France and it does get there in the end but most of this story takes place in Palestine and Anatolia.
This is one of the very few books I've ever read that also imagines a world for Sarah. I find that it's through seeing these worlds brought to life in plausible ways it becomes easier for me to find my own truth and wisdom as it's residing between all the possible imaginings and versions of the gospels being told. It helps me form an idea of what might have been left out and why - looking for the feminine principle in a story so thoroughly butchered by the patriarchy.
In one way my expectations were not met in this story though - I thought I'd learn more about Mary's story in France and it does get there in the end but most of this story takes place in Palestine and Anatolia.
December 23, 2017
This is the "third" book review for the Maeve chronicles and once again, I will say that the book continues to expound on the series of events that make understanding the culture, religions and society at the time very plausible and incredibly interesting. Kudos to Elizabeth Cunningham for what must have taken her entire focus, besides years of research, to put into words something amazing for the rest of us to read.
I highly enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it to anyone with an open mind.
I highly enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it to anyone with an open mind.
September 22, 2025
I love this series. That said, this particular novel was my least favorite so far. I felt there was some deviation from the writing style of the prior two novels but this may also be attributed to the growth of the character. I still plan to read the 4th book. I love the character of Maeve and the way the author is weaving in all the themes and phases of womanhood amongst lore and history. It is beautiful.
December 6, 2018
the Maeve Chronicles are changing the way I see people. That is a good thing.
April 18, 2020
It’s not nearly as strong as the passion of Magdalene, but I enjoyed the author’s interpretation of a world post crucifixion and the women / madonnas surrounding the story of Christ.
January 1, 2021
The portrayal of mother Mary in this story was fabulous. I hated to have the series end.
May 12, 2021
The continued story is amazing, although slower in some parts and paced differently than the other books.
November 10, 2022
Loved this part of the chronicles.
August 10, 2024
I enjoyed Bright Dark Madonna, but not as much as the first 2 books in the series.
May 12, 2018
Am I really surprised I loved this book? Of course not. The Maeve Chronicles continue to blow my mind.
I brought Bright Dark Madonna to Scotland with me. It made waiting in the airport much less stressful and took my mind off of my homesickness at night. From the very get-go it had me laughing out loud. Maeve is one of the wittiest, snarkiest protagonists and I love her for it.
As I've said before I'm not a particularly spiritual person, despite being a confirmed Catholic. But these books make me look at Jesus differently by consistently making him appear more and more human. In my Catholic school experience, Jesus was always presented as more divine and human but Cunningham creates a very flawed character in him. It makes him feel more real, and makes his story all the more powerful to me.
This book didn't hit me as hard emotionally as the first two books did but it still impressed me and still made me tear up now and then. One great aspect was of course the dynamic between Maeve and her daughter Sarah. It was a well-crafted, relatable relationship for any mother and daughter reading it. And Maeve's romantic relationship with Saint John was so well-done. I thought their chemistry was wonderful. (Not as great as the chemistry between Maeve and Esus of course but close!)
But honestly, the Virgin Mary, aka Ma, Maeve's mother-in-law, took center stage for me in this book. She was hilarious and quirky and so real -- despite the fact that she basically spends the latter half of the book becoming more divine than human, like her son before her. "I have to go, my son is here," is right up there in the bittersweet department with "always," as far as literary lines go.
As always, 5/5 stars for this one! I'm excited to read the final book but also dreading the end of a series that has so often changed my perspective of religion, life, and myself.
**
Update: I’ve listened to the audiobook and my love for this series has doubled. Seriously, read it or listen to it if you get the chance!
I brought Bright Dark Madonna to Scotland with me. It made waiting in the airport much less stressful and took my mind off of my homesickness at night. From the very get-go it had me laughing out loud. Maeve is one of the wittiest, snarkiest protagonists and I love her for it.
As I've said before I'm not a particularly spiritual person, despite being a confirmed Catholic. But these books make me look at Jesus differently by consistently making him appear more and more human. In my Catholic school experience, Jesus was always presented as more divine and human but Cunningham creates a very flawed character in him. It makes him feel more real, and makes his story all the more powerful to me.
This book didn't hit me as hard emotionally as the first two books did but it still impressed me and still made me tear up now and then. One great aspect was of course the dynamic between Maeve and her daughter Sarah. It was a well-crafted, relatable relationship for any mother and daughter reading it. And Maeve's romantic relationship with Saint John was so well-done. I thought their chemistry was wonderful. (Not as great as the chemistry between Maeve and Esus of course but close!)
But honestly, the Virgin Mary, aka Ma, Maeve's mother-in-law, took center stage for me in this book. She was hilarious and quirky and so real -- despite the fact that she basically spends the latter half of the book becoming more divine than human, like her son before her. "I have to go, my son is here," is right up there in the bittersweet department with "always," as far as literary lines go.
As always, 5/5 stars for this one! I'm excited to read the final book but also dreading the end of a series that has so often changed my perspective of religion, life, and myself.
**
Update: I’ve listened to the audiobook and my love for this series has doubled. Seriously, read it or listen to it if you get the chance!
March 25, 2011
The ending was ridiculously rushed for a minute, then stretched out and faded away.
This book was more caught up in Christian, er specifically Catholic or Episcopal archetype sight-seeing than I'd like (I'm unfamiliar with saints and it means nothing to me). Several questions I'd had went unanswered and that was annoying. One of which is now "What was going on at the very end?" Bleh.
But the goddess parts and life/friends/love parts and nature parts were gorgeous. I loved the series very much, and I'm usually allergic to Christian mythology in literature/entertainment. The first book, "Magdalen Rising" (or, "Daughter of the Shining Isles") is my favorite, though.
---
Update: I see now that there is a fourth book coming out soon. That ought to tie up the loose ends and explain what was happening at the end.
This book was more caught up in Christian, er specifically Catholic or Episcopal archetype sight-seeing than I'd like (I'm unfamiliar with saints and it means nothing to me). Several questions I'd had went unanswered and that was annoying. One of which is now "What was going on at the very end?" Bleh.
But the goddess parts and life/friends/love parts and nature parts were gorgeous. I loved the series very much, and I'm usually allergic to Christian mythology in literature/entertainment. The first book, "Magdalen Rising" (or, "Daughter of the Shining Isles") is my favorite, though.
---
Update: I see now that there is a fourth book coming out soon. That ought to tie up the loose ends and explain what was happening at the end.
April 14, 2020
The third installment of this delicious and addictive series of the unorthodox, audacious. Celtic Mary Magdalene and her ongoing adventures in the 1st century CE. With this novel, we go behind the veil of the early Christian ecclesial and witness the chaos and infighting the loss of Jesus would have left the apostles in. Elizabeth gives credibility to the possible reasons why the role of Mary Magdalene was usurped from the New Testament. She lays bare the aging Woman and her state of grief for the Beloved in a world that denies His humanness and the simplicity of His message. Compulsive, passionate reading for anyone who relishes Speculative Fiction written by a master Storyteller.
July 1, 2009
I really want to give this book a higher rating just because I liked "Passion" so much. However, this one just wasn't as good. Many times I found myself confused about references to characters and felt I needed to refer back to "Passion" to keep the story straight. I still don't understand what Sarah's problem with her mother is but maybe that will be resolved in the next book?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 22, 2011
All of the books in this series are very good. It's an alternate look at the life of Jesus. Some Christians might be offended by the version of events that Cunningham puts forth, but I don't think she writes about anything that would directly negate the teachings of Jesus, especially the commandment to love one another above all.
August 9, 2015
I still consider the first of this quartet (Magdalen Rising) to be the solidest five star of the group. This one more like four and a half, but still quite wonderful. On the whole, a reality-altering work that makes everything different and better in the world. A story well told becomes true, so Maeve says, and so..... Yeah. Read this series, open your mind!
June 20, 2011
Originally was going to wait to finish the trilogy but after finishing the second book I want to find out what happens next. Not a bad series for fantasy but his last book was even more out there then the second.
January 13, 2012
This book was awesome! I am loving this series. I cannot say enough about how much I like the author's down to earth writing style, and I cannot say enough about how much I love this storyline about Mary Magdalen.
January 30, 2014
Maeve continues her travels, and raises her and Jesus's daughter Sarah. An excellent continuation of the Maeve Chronicles, and stories of the first disciples of Jesus, as they argue about what his true message was, and whether they should write it down.
February 6, 2016
Good old Maeve, back with her final adventures. I've really grown to love her character and was sorry to see the series end. This picks up where the last book left off - after Jesus' death. It is the story of the early church and the rest of Maeve's life.
May 24, 2016
Last book of the Maeve Chronicles trilogy. Sooooo good!
The story continues with all the characters we've met in the first two books.
This is a very good series. The author combines so much from the Bible that it feels like this is a true story and not a novel.
The story continues with all the characters we've met in the first two books.
This is a very good series. The author combines so much from the Bible that it feels like this is a true story and not a novel.
September 1, 2009
The third in the series and more enjoyable than the second - by the end of this one, all traces of the known story have ended.
November 16, 2010
My least favorite of the series. The ending didn't wrap up the series well and the book just didn't flow as well as the previous two.
Read
August 5, 2011Love it. I am going to get her other books as well. I am reading them out of order, but they are also stand alone type novels as well. I love Mary Magdalene stories.
September 10, 2011
Incredible series...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews