Mariamne. Queen Bee. John the Less. Magdal-eder.Daughter. Prophet. Student. Apostle.Woman. Man. Heart. Rock. Beloved.Many names, many roles, many titles.Only one human being. Mary MadgaleneThis book is wonderful, and I am so glad of being able to read it. I am always being a "fan" of Mary Magdalene, and here I was able to read the story that I want to read about her life. Definitely it's now one of my favorite books.I am not saying that this is the truth. However, if you really believe that Mary Magdalene was only a whore, well, only I can say that you are as blind as the men at the time when she lived.Beautiful story of the life of the one known as Mary Magdalene since her early age of 14 years old, until the end of days of Jesus and beyond.If you don't feel thrilled just reading of Mary Magdalene stepping into the Great Library of Alexandria, well, maybe this isn't the book for you. For me, that was one of the best moments in literature that I ever read.Formidable tale of the journey in life of Mary Magdalene which it was fated to cross with the path of Jesus.If you look an exact script taken from the Bible, maybe you have to read the Bible then, and don't get me wrong, I am Catholic and I respect the Bible, but if you are a little open minded, I am sure that you will enjoy this book.This isn't about truth. There are many truths. The important thing in a story is the message. And the message here is glorious. Men and women will forever make gods of others rather than see the god in themselves.
I've spent years trying to make heads or tails of humanity's need to create religions. I've shaken my head at the childish concepts they come up with to make themselves feel better and a class called "priests" richer and more powerful. I've wondered how people could allow their own minds to be controlled by the minds of, sometimes, lesser men (or women.) This book has been like standing under a waterfall of reason and understanding. Not only is the story an adventure from beginning to end, written magnificently,but it is stuffed with profound ideas. I know, to some, the idea of a book being more than a day at the beach is a turn-off, but this one not only an exciting read about what we think we know (and don't...and neither do most theologians) it has the makings of a classic, a book for the ages. I am proud to include it here. If my internet were so slow, I'd add more books. But at least I got this through. The best.
What do You think about The Secret Magdalene (2007)?
I could be wrong but I can only think any one or two star ratings come from offending the reader's beliefs. I can't think it has anything to do with the book itself. The story is thrilling and page turning, the character fully real and human, the events can break your heart, and the the writing is fluid and poetic. Not difficult at all unless you like your reading so easy you never have to pause for any sort of thought. This is a book for lovers of literature, writing, and profound spiritual truths. All my thumbs up,
—Phlippa Piece-marton
This book could open your mind. This book is not Christian. It's not Jewish. It's not Gnosticism, although it's about Gnosis which is the Greek word for what we think of as enlightenment. This book, if you don't care about any of that, is a great read written really well. It could have happened in this extremely clever well-researched way. But it doesn't matter if it did or it did not. It left me breathless and so hungry for more. I hope Longfellow is planning on more.
—Elena Morales
I finished the whole book, and then began again to savor not only the story and the wonderful writing, but the lessons to be found here. As a lapsed Catholic, I lost my feeling for such things. But in this book I found it all again. I don't know if it's true, but if this book is read by only religious people or by seekers of spiritual wisdom, that's a loss to readers looking for fully realized characters and great tragedy and exciting adventure. The grounding of the book in real history, and actual philosophy is another of its wonders. Ridiculous? I find it ridiculous for someone to call a book, almost any book ridiculous after only three chapters. There are classics I fought my way into only to find that my persistence paid off enormously.
—Susan
