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hekate24's review
5.0
This is honestly one of the most satisfying 'historical fiction novels set in biblical times' type novels I've ever read. The characters are vibrantly, compellingly human. Longfellow gets into some of the apocryphal claims (that Mary and Jesus were especially beloved of one abother) but this is also a very human telling of the story. The author takes great pains to illuminate the historical context these characters lived in and, as such, they really come alive. Early on in her life, Mary Magdalene ends up caught up in some very revolutionary political sects, culminating in Jesus's philosophies and how they compel AND alienate most of the people they meet. By emphasizing the incendiary nature of what the characters are doing, Longfellow sketches these people in as complex people who clearly care about the world around them, and have no idea what's going to happen next. This has the result of making this novel into one hell of a page turner... even if you know how the story will end!
anneke_b's review
2.0
I tried to love it, but it was so slow, and I often felt I was lost. So many names. So much talking about "deep thoughts". I thought I could handle it all, and I was really looking forward to reading this, but unfortunately, it wasn't for me :(
nikki16956's review
5.0
This is my new favorite book. I can’t even begin to describe how much I loved it with all of my heart. It is a historical fiction novel on the life of Mary Magdalene (Mariamne).
It feels like I got to witness Mariamne grow up, and she became like a friend to me. The author did such an amazing job at character development, each personality was so unique and you could truly tell how much thought she put into each character. Besides Mariamne and Yeshu’a, I really loved Seth. But out of every character my heart broke the most for Jude. If any author can make me get attached to that many characters in one story, they deserve an award.
The writing was absolutely phenomenal, and even when it got slow in parts (in my opinion, it didn’t very often) it was completely worth reading just for the writing. This is truly a work of art.
Anyone who likes historical fiction or ancient cultures or is interested in the *actual* story of Jesus and Mary Magdalene, this is a must read. It gives so much humanity and compassion to these historical figures who have been worshipped and placed upon a pedestal and idolized for centuries now, even though that’s not really what they would have wanted. This was so well researched, as you can tell by the bibliography in the back. I am so glad I found this book.
It feels like I got to witness Mariamne grow up, and she became like a friend to me. The author did such an amazing job at character development, each personality was so unique and you could truly tell how much thought she put into each character. Besides Mariamne and Yeshu’a, I really loved Seth. But out of every character my heart broke the most for Jude. If any author can make me get attached to that many characters in one story, they deserve an award.
The writing was absolutely phenomenal, and even when it got slow in parts (in my opinion, it didn’t very often) it was completely worth reading just for the writing. This is truly a work of art.
Anyone who likes historical fiction or ancient cultures or is interested in the *actual* story of Jesus and Mary Magdalene, this is a must read. It gives so much humanity and compassion to these historical figures who have been worshipped and placed upon a pedestal and idolized for centuries now, even though that’s not really what they would have wanted. This was so well researched, as you can tell by the bibliography in the back. I am so glad I found this book.
thedarkground's review
4.0
Didn't understand most of it but it was very well written so didn't until the ending when I thought: "okay that was great but what does it MEAN".
Great read, highly recommend
Great read, highly recommend
maya_irl's review
5.0
"Set a seal upon your heart, beloved; set a seal upon your arm, for love is as strong as death."
plumeriade's review against another edition
1.0
I'm baffled at all the 5-star reviews. 85% through and onward was decent but before that was hard to get through. Mary/Mariamne spends about half of the book living as a man, which is so enraging. she is praised for rising about her sex and sometimes wonders if she has forgotten how to be female. would she not be worthy of walking beside and teaching Jesus/Yeshu if she had not "risen above her sex"? gag. aside from that, the majority of the book is philosophizing and philosophic banter, where they have huge revelations that happen after like, two lines. Person A: "What if this." Person B: "Then this." Person A and/or Mary is then filled with awe and wonder for days! yawn. this was a huge disappointment because I was really interested in reading about one of the major women in Jesus' life, but what a letdown.
calleynye's review
5.0
I would suggest to anyone who has ever questioned god or their spirituality based on their beliefs (or non-beliefs) about the state of the Catholic faith. You won't be sorry.
bibliotess's review
4.0
Any book with this many five-star reviews is worth a try. I'm listening to the audio version, and so far, I'm hooked. The performance is riveting.
taniabotes's review
4.0
There is nothing that is not God.
A well researched, superbly written and thought-provoking fictional portrayal of the lifes and times of Mary Magdalene and Yeshua/Jesus. The political situation, the philosophies of the time, the difference in places (Alexandria vs Jerusalem etc.) and the daily lives of people are described in detail to provide us with a background to understanding this story on a much deeper level. The author writes with empathy and even though the last 20% of the book was very different from what I believe, I loved her view of Jesus as a human being. I highly recommend this if you enjoyed [b:The Red Tent|4989|The Red Tent|Anita Diamant|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1405739117s/4989.jpg|1041558] and like books that make you think.
There was only one thing I didn't understand:
Spoiler
How did Mary Magdalene not believe that Jesus was the Messiah - When she was(the mouthpiece of The Voice) prophesying that he was.The Story: Based on the revelations of the Nag Hammadi codices, a historical novel follows the life of Mary Magdalene, detailing her privileged childhood, the prophetic visions that torment her, her banishment, her study in the Great Library of Alexandria disguised as a young man, her fascination with John the Baptizer's cousin Yesh'a, and her role as teacher and advisor to Jesus.