Customer Reviews

Divine

5 star:		(57)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

Karen Kingsbury's novel Divine is a modern-day retelling of Mary Magdalene's story and the contemporary demons she faces. She recounts her past of physical and sexual abuse, drug addiction and suicidal thoughts at an abuse shelter she runs.

The book is well written, except for a few parts where the story slowed or seemed redundant. However, the character development was excellent and completely realistic. The choices that characters make in light of their pained histories are believable, although traumatic.

The majority of the story is Mary telling her past to a woman who has left her abusive husband. Mary's history is darkly traumatizing and leads her down a dangerous path in life where only Christ could rescue her. However, Mary relives her past in order that another woman will be saved.

All of the characters involved in the book have gone through stressful patches of life. Kingsbury's characters are easy to connect with and the relationships developed between the various characters accurately show the ups and downs of living a life of abuse and a life lived in darkness.

Overall, the book was excellent. It is an inspiration for Christians to go out and minister to those who have led lives like Mary's. Mid-teens and older, especially women, would receive the most enjoyment from the book, in particular those who have suffered through abuse or those who know someone who is currently dealing with issues of abuse. However, it also just an enjoyable read to gain perspective through another person's eyes. - Molly Schnepel, Christian Book Previews.com

Divine by Karen Kingsbury is a truly touching novel about a woman whose terrifying abuse leads to a life of ministry. This book details how one life can alter the lives of many and Mary Madison's life does just that. Her life not only touches the other characters in the book, it also touches the reader. I found myself having to put the book down a number of times just so I could grab the tissue.

Spiritually, I found this book to be quite uplifting at this time in my life. It was refreshing to read about a person redeemed by Christ who didn't live the perfect life and who wants to reach others that have been damaged by sin. I get so tired of perfect characters, with perfect lives, who have nothing better to do than sit in judgment of everyone else. It was nice to read about a person who has sinned, who has been saved, and is out to do as Christ has called them to do ... not out of a sense of self-righteousness, but out of true love. The kind of love Christ has for us.

This is the third book that I have reviewed that is considered to be Christian fiction. I am finding that I really like this genre. Karen Kingsbury does an excellent job of reaching out to her readers through the lives of the characters she so beautifully creates. Divine, published by Tyndale House Publishers, really is Life-Changing Fiction. If you know someone who has been abused or is being abused, I would highly recommend giving them this book. Five stars!

In the DC area at one of her women's shelter, Mary Madison is briefed by her receptionist Leah Hamilton that her newest resident Emma Randall looks suicidal and ready to bolt. Battered and with no hope, the twenty-three year old Emma considers herself unworthy and ready to flee now that her two young children are safe from their abusive father Charlie. However, Leah softly gets Emma to meet with the legendary Mary while four years old Kami and two years old Kaitlyn play with dolls.

Mary shocks the frightened Emma by asking if she should like to hear her story not just the media account. Hesitantly Emma agrees so Mary explains how Jesus loved her and saved her. She was a little girl when her hooker mother took them to stay with her maternal Grandma Peggy who gives the little girl a purse with scripture inside. However, her mother immediately removed them back to the streets. When she scores a three day job with out of town Johns, her mom leaves Mary with her pimp; the last time they saw one another. From that moment Mary battled the seven demons that lead to sin and helplessness until she meets a believer who introduces her to Jesus.

This is a terrific modernization of Mary Magdalene living in Washington DC and using her story to encourage other people especially women that hope lies with Jesus. Mary's tale is told in flashbacks, which enhances how far she has come. Karen Kingsbury provides a deep character study of how one woman with help overcame seven contemporary demons (drugs, prostitution, etc.), but also makes no apologies that the author believes the path is with Jesus; readers who want a clear split between state and religion may find the religious message overbearing, but everyone will agree that Ms. Kingsbury provides an entreating parable starring a modernized Magdalene.

Harriet Klausner

It's been a long time since I've read this book, but the impression it gave me is still fresh in my mind. I admire the message Kingsbury tried to convey about oppressed individuals such as Mary Magdalene being redeemed. And I will credit it as well-written.

But the book was just too intense! The details the book fills your mind with are unreasonably grotesque, and they are presented in a way that is uncharacteristic of Christian fiction. I understand the value of being frank and not glossing over unpleasant realities. Francine Rivers is an example of a Christian author who strikes the balance gracefully - she doesn't shy away from difficult topics, such as violence and sexual promiscuity, but uses them to effectively communicate a powerful message.

But this book does NOT strike a balance. Disturbing details of Mary's sexual sins are flaunted and glorified, and although the general understanding is that it was sinful, that's not exactly what you remember! I don't think that reading Christian fiction should make one feel embarrassed or guilty - even if it deals with tough topics.

In truth, I don't think that this novel is worthy of all the praise it receives. The basic message of a woman oppressed by sin being liberated by her savior is not portrayed well. The oppression aspect is communicated well enough of course, but when Mary becomes saved, the transformation is anticlimactic. The book was a pain to read, far from satisfying at the end, and left me feeling dejected and somewhat defiled.

If you are looking for a moving read with a similar theme, go for Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers. You will not be disappointed.

I was glad to see a Christian fiction author tackle the subject of abuse, but was ultimately disappointed by this book. As a social worker I've worked with juvenile and adult victims of sexual and physical abuse, including victims in the juvenile justice system. Kingsbury's story of Mary seemed contrived and unrealistic to me. It wasn't the abuse that stretched credibility, rather other events in the story did not ring true. Kingsbury asks us to believe that a 15 year old who is totally illiterate, having never spent a day in school and not even knowing the alphabet could earn a doctorate and become "the most powerful woman in Washington, D.C." by age 30. She misrepresents the realities of the juvenile justice system when she has Mary steal a car while fleeing from abuse and asks us to believe that she would be sentenced to a 3 year term in juvenile detention, although she had never previously committed a single law violation. Then while in the juvenile detention center she has Mary having sex with a delivery man. I've never seen a juvenile detention center where inmates and delivery man had any possibility of interacting. Kingsbury relies heavily on cliche phrases and "Christianese" speech in this book. Sadly, I don't believe that many of the abused women I have worked with would relate to this story. That is unfortunate because the Kingsbury does present an important message of redemption, but the story ends up being an irritating distraction to that message.

One woman's gut-wrenching journey to freedom inspires many others; her nightmare story becomes another's hope. Mary Madison's ultimate divine redemption mirrors that of Mary Magdalene of old, and as she has been the inspiration for many women throughout the church age, the modern-day counterpart in the character of Mary Madison is no different. Her story evokes a rollercoaster ride of painful and exhilarating emotions, yet the divine love of Christ shining through is no work of fiction. Many readers will resonate with the stories of Mary and Emma, either from personal experience or knowing someone who has been to hell and back as they have. DIVINE shows how the road to redemption isn't easy, but the work of Christ is complete and powerful, and free for all who will accept it.

As with Karen's past books, the only complaint I have is once I start I can't stop!!!! Needed this book in my life right now. I never thought about "demons" as stated in this book, but now I see. I do know where the POWER in my life is coming from!

By: Jeffrey W. Bennett, author of Under the Lontar Palm and ISP Certification-The Industrial Security Professional Exam Manual
If you are looking for uplifting fiction, don't bother reading this book, or just skip to the end. If you are looking for characters overcoming tragic situations ripped out of the headlines, this book is for you.

Mary Madison is a daughter of a prostitute. She is kidnapped and put into sexual slavery at 10 years old. All she has to remind her of a "normal" life is a little purse and scriptual reminder that God has plans for her; a gift from her grandmother.

The story follows her through the years where she is finally rescued by police. All she knows how to do from this experience is cope, survive and manipulate.

God puts Christians in her path to demonstrate His love and faithfulness. The little purse links her experiences with the hope that one day she will be rescued and reunited with her grandmother.

It's not until she receives Jesus that she is really rescued. Under His power does she have a future and is able to demonstrate His love to other abused women.


Though well written, this book is hard to read. Because of its dark, tragic, and sad content, I recommend it for mature readers.

This is probably one of the most powerful books I have read in a long time. It grabbed my attention from the start and I couldn't put it down even when I wanted to. There are parts of the story that are too heart-wrenching to even think about, but it feels almost too real, and sadly it is. Karen Kingsbury has a way of making the words come alive and she did it again with this one. I loved the way she gave the Mary Magdelyn a modern-day story. It gave me a present day picture of a Bible story. I don't think I will be the same after reading this.

This book is powerful. I could not put it down. I have read many Karen Kingsbury books, but there is something different and extraordinary about Divine. I prefer to read reviews, not leave them. But this book moved me.