I feel like I’ve read a bunch of dud’s lately and I was sorely disappointed to add Mary Magdalene by Diana Wallis Taylor to that list.  I really wish I could say otherwise because I LOVE biblical fiction and I’ve read other books by the author that I’ve enjoyed.

Mary Magdalene is a fictional account of the life of Mary Magdalene.  Mary was possessed by demons and was cured by Jesus.   This book tells of her life leading up to her mysterious illnesses and was really a great book until her husband died and she joined Jesus.  While she wove many biblical things into her tale, she really damaged her historical credibility by including heresy into her story.

First, we were introduced to Jesus’s siblings.  In my opinion, it was completely unnecessary to alienate half of your Christian readers by introducing this heresy.   It is believed that the Blessed Virgin Mary was a virgin not only Catholics, but also some Anglicans and Lutherans.    Introducing siblings cancels out her virginity.  Double-whammy.

I really wish the story had been different.  If she hadn’t included those items in her book, it would have been a fabulous story.   I don’t think they were necessary to the plot and she could have found a different way to make the point she made with the characters.

So.   If you aren’t an orthodox Christian and have no problem with Jesus having siblings, you will probably really enjoy this book.  Despite historical problems and such, it really was well written and interesting.   If you are orthodox and believe in Mary’s virginity, skip it.   It just isn’t worth getting annoyed over.  Find another book.

 

Am I the only one who gets worked up about doctrinal differences?   Would you recommend a book contrary to your beliefs?

 

Jen S.

 

by | 2 Comments

2 Comments on Mary Magdeline {Book Review}

  1. Diana Wallis Taylor
    26 June 2012 at 9:55 PM (12 years ago)

    Thank you for your comments. I have several Catholic friends and do respect the point of view of your church. I took my premise of brothers and sisters from the Gospel of Matthew, Chap. 13: 55,56. Also Mark 6:3 Where it specifically names the brothers of Jesus. His sisters are not named. The Book of James is attributed to Jesus’ brother James. Evidently he was well known and became the leader of the budding early church in Jerusalem. Also, in Jewish society, marriage and children were of primary importance. God, who created marriage, would not tell Joseph to take Mary as his wife and then remain celebate for the duration of their marriage. It would violate God’s law. The Bible calls Jesus Mary’s “first-born” son, not her only son. He was God’s only begotten son (through Mary). Every Jewish woman prayed for a son, who might be the promised Messiah.

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