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fionab_16's review against another edition
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
amdkemp's review against another edition
3.0
I had a hard time getting into this book but by the end found it very intriguing and thought provoking. Based more on logic and philosophy then faith, the story was a different take on Mary Margdalene, Jesus and other biblical characters.
annetjeberg's review against another edition
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 :(
5fourteen's review against another edition
3.0
Let's just say I have mixed feelings about this book.
dee_dee_k's review against another edition
1.0
This book is terrible! My only DNF ever. I was looking for a story along the line of The Red Tent, this was not it! Too much religious philosophy....yawn.
cicatrizing's review against another edition
5.0
This book and all its explorations into ancient mythology, beliefs, ways of life, philosophy, and all else sucked me in so intensely. I found it incredibly refreshing and enlightening to read an alternative perspective of a story that has been told the same way with the same interpretations my whole life. Reading as someone currently deconstructing from a more rigid view of Christianity and the Bible, I greatly appreciated the mind opening experience of this book and the inclusion of historical, political, and religious context. This is one I’ll be thinking about for years to come.
archertrip's review against another edition
5.0
This may have been one of my favorite reads ever. While not my usual genre, this book had me intrigued each time I opened it, and I learned so much. I will be intrigued still and keep thinking about it for most of my life! This was such a new and unseen perspective of the story of Jesus and the Bible, as well as an amazing perspective of being a woman. As a ex-Christian, ex-Pastor's kid, and queer reader, this will be my new Bible! I loved this!
amongst_the_bookstacks's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
'Men will forever make gods of others rather than see the God in themselves'.
This unique reinterpretation of the timeless tale highlights Mary Magdalene's character as an educated woman who played the crucial role of the 'apostle to the apostles,' moving away from the traditional portrayals of her as a prostitute or demon-possessed.
The book visualizes the sequence of events culminating in the Crucifixion and Resurrection. Rethinking well-known moments like Lazarus's healing, the Cana wedding, and Judas's betrayal, Longfellow offers a feminist viewpoint on Yeshu and his apostles.
Even though the story and characters are created with much artistic licence and would shock an orthodox christian, the book is deeply grounded in theology and philosophy, leaning towards the gnostic interpretation of Yeshua's teachings.
As Magdalene priestess, I have loved this book, even though I disagreed with author's interpretation of many of the characters (Mary Magdalene as John the Less, Salome as Simon Magus). The gnostic philosophy and the teachings of Jesus are presented in a poetically beautiful way and the whole book radiates love and peace.
If you love feminist retellings, such as 'Red Tent', or if you are looking for more humanistic dimension of christianity, you will love this.
This unique reinterpretation of the timeless tale highlights Mary Magdalene's character as an educated woman who played the crucial role of the 'apostle to the apostles,' moving away from the traditional portrayals of her as a prostitute or demon-possessed.
The book visualizes the sequence of events culminating in the Crucifixion and Resurrection. Rethinking well-known moments like Lazarus's healing, the Cana wedding, and Judas's betrayal, Longfellow offers a feminist viewpoint on Yeshu and his apostles.
Even though the story and characters are created with much artistic licence and would shock an orthodox christian, the book is deeply grounded in theology and philosophy, leaning towards the gnostic interpretation of Yeshua's teachings.
As Magdalene priestess, I have loved this book, even though I disagreed with author's interpretation of many of the characters (Mary Magdalene as John the Less, Salome as Simon Magus). The gnostic philosophy and the teachings of Jesus are presented in a poetically beautiful way and the whole book radiates love and peace.
If you love feminist retellings, such as 'Red Tent', or if you are looking for more humanistic dimension of christianity, you will love this.
caitrinhughes's review against another edition
2.25
Ok, look. I get it. I get why this book is good, it is actually interesting, it is actually up my alley, BUT I felt like it didn't actually start getting compelling until the last 70-50 pages.
It's just so bogged down in philosophy ideas for the first 2/3rds that it's not a fun read. (and as a religion major who took lots of philosophy classes this is normally not a deal breaker for me!) It felt very dull and like I didn't actually get to know these historical figures as characters/people or anything actually deep about them or their desires other than to spread gnosis/ philosophical ideas. Which like, obviously can be someone's main motivation and desire but if the goal was to make these characters fully human or with human wants and desires I think that was a failure.
I also think that having read the Red Tent and Book of Longings really spoiled me because there is a way to do this in an interesting and appealing way! The Secret Magdalene just felt so bogged down in the scholarship Longfellow forgot to make it actually compelling to read.
It's just so bogged down in philosophy ideas for the first 2/3rds that it's not a fun read. (and as a religion major who took lots of philosophy classes this is normally not a deal breaker for me!) It felt very dull and like I didn't actually get to know these historical figures as characters/people or anything actually deep about them or their desires other than to spread gnosis/ philosophical ideas. Which like, obviously can be someone's main motivation and desire but if the goal was to make these characters fully human or with human wants and desires I think that was a failure.
I also think that having read the Red Tent and Book of Longings really spoiled me because there is a way to do this in an interesting and appealing way! The Secret Magdalene just felt so bogged down in the scholarship Longfellow forgot to make it actually compelling to read.