Anatomy of a Life Possessed [Paperback]

Maria Ferrara Pema (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0971922152 | ISBN-13: 978-0971922150 | Publication Date: March 2002

"You won't take this into account. If you had written it instead of me, I probably wouldn't believe it." So begins this amazing tale of a woman victimized by peculiar forces. It reads like a work of fiction, but it is true.

The author describes a privileged childhood in an aristocratic family with links to Genghis Khan, Tibet, Russian czars, and Rasputin as part of her incredible story, which includes growing up under three oppressive regimes: Nazism, Communism, and her monarchical, dictatorial mother.

Ms. Pema recounts her early life in the ballet world, followed by her years as an actress during Rome's golden age of cinema, working for directors Federico Fellini, Vittorio De Sica, and Marco Ferreri, where she met and married prominent entertainment attorney Max Ferrara.

"Anatomy of a Life Possessed" makes a sudden turn from the glamour of the Via Veneto onto a backroads Highway to Hell. It reveals a harrowing telepathic possession with physical and emotional consequences. A mad monk, sexual torment, exorcism, and never-ending harassment devastate the author's life. She describes her excruciating experience of possession and her research conducted in an effort to regain control.

"Anatomy of a Life Possessed" is a fascinating and controversial book which challenges traditional beliefs. Pema's personal memoir will be of value to people of any age who are ready to find and face the truth. It may help you to:

* Protect yourself from negative energy and subjugating ideologies

* Understand the dangers of a faith that relies on fear and submission

* Discover how to turn obstacles, fear, and self-doubt into helpful knowledge

* Recognize that the generosity, genius, and greatness of humanity are the only virtues that can help us create our own happiness.

For an absolutely gripping, unstoppable reading experience, take a journey into the abyss and back with "Anatomy of a Life Possessed."

Editorial Reviews

Review

Priestly possession is Pema's cross to bear. "Anatomy of A Life Possessed" sheds light on... a terribly real problem. -- Wireless Flash News Syndicate, August 1, 2002

From the Publisher

Maria Ferrara Pema was a famous ballerina and later actress who appeared in "Fellini Satyricon" and De Sica's "The Vacation," among other films. Maria lived the glamorous life during Rome's 'Hollywood on the Tiber' days, where she partied with Richard Burton, Roman Polanski, Marlon Brando, and other celebrities. Married to a powerful motion picture attorney, she had everything a woman could want -- everything, that is, except spiritual peace.

Her search for a deeper truth led Maria to a charismatic priest named Friar G., who gained her confidence, then abused it. In an effort to perform a miracle that would lead to sainthood, Friar G. tried to transfer the illness of a paralyzed boy onto the unsuspecting Maria. Sound preposterous? You haven't heard the half of it. What followed was 27 years of psychological and sexual torture, graphically documented in Maria's new book, "Anatomy of a Life Possessed."

Maria's struggle to rid herself of this possession led to documents about a Vatican investigation into Friar G.'s mentor, whom the Catholic Church accused of brainwashing and abusing female parishioners. As the shocking truth is slowly revealed, you simply will not believe the cover-up by the Vatican and the Catholic Church.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Winner Episode Pr (March 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0971922152
• ISBN-13: 978-0971922150
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,381,356 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars An unusual book, December 1, 2006

By 

golden meadows "sunflower" (UK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Anatomy of a Life Possessed (Paperback)

The author claims to have come under a form of spiritual possession through her meeting a catholic priest who is described as have mystical experiences including the stigmata - the sudden appearance of wounds in imitation of those said to have been suffered by Jesus Christ in the bible accounts of his death. She acknowledges that the spiritual experiences she has suffered have also had psychological and mental health consequences and this at times is apparent in the claims made in the book.

Though I am not a physicist or historian I think I know enough to see that when she ventures into these disciplines her opinions are not to be treated automatically as fact, especially when her indignation is pointed towards the Church she was once a member and whom she now blames in large part for what happened to her.

In her attempt to rid herself of the malign influence in her life she has veered towards a form of atheism and resorts to some shaky science in order to explain what happened when she became "possessed" by a priest whom she refers only to as Fr. G. This priest was a devotee of Padre Pio, another famous stigmatist, who was declared a saint in recent years by the Catholic Church.

Many of the strange spiritual and quasi sexual abuses she claims were carried out by Fr. G were also levied against Padre Pio by fellow Catholics in the early decades of the 20th century. These were never formally tried in an ecclesiastical court but rather were quietly dropped as the Padre Pio phenomena spread rapidly throughout the laity of the Catholic Church with many millions of pilgrims leading to the economic regeneration of San Giovanni in Italy.


Though the main protagonist in the book is never named its seems clear he is the same priest who was suspended from his duties a few years after this book was published by Pope Benedict XVI in 2005 through allegations, for example, of sexual abuse made by seminarians.

It is unfortunate that the emotional problems the author has suffered through her involvement with Fr. G is reflected in the quality of her writing and this will be the focus of Padre Pio's defenders seeking to discredit the more serious and substantial paranormal phenomena associated with him and this books Fr G.


I came to this book through unusual events associated with a visit I made to a Padre Pio church service which included veneration of a relic belonging to him. What then happened was not the kind of thing written about in any conventional works of piety or hagiographies dealing with Padre Pio but their disturbing influence are alluded to here.

If you have ever encountered strange events associated with the veneration of somebody who is considered to be the greatest of modern catholic saints and are having problems receiving spiritual support from recognised sources then this book may at least give some comfort in the knowledge that you are not alone. It is solely for this reason, not her view of history, science, or religion (especially the catholic church) that I give three stars.

2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Undiluted Garbage!, August 11, 2005

By 

sadd truth "sadd" (pa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Anatomy of a Life Possessed (Paperback)

The author's egeocentricism and bad writing makes this book almost unreadable. It is, however, illustrative of how narcissism can deform personality.

2 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars This author is hilarious, March 5, 2005

By 

Kee "-" (Usa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Anatomy of a Life Possessed (Paperback)

I was watching the People"s court or something and Maria Ferrara Pema was on there suing a blonde headed promoter. I have no idea what this novel is about, all I could gather from Maria is that she was manipulated by a priest?¿ And she seemed really out of it.