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Magdalene

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Miryam of Magdala is faced with a great tragedy. When she seeks justice from Rome and does not receive it, she seeks help from the spirit world. She knows as a Jew that this is forbidden. But Miryam's desire for vengeance overwhelms everything else, and soon she is controlled by demonic spirits and wandering the countryside, an outcast to everything and everyone she once held dear.

When Miryam meets the prophet Yeshua he releases her from the legion of demons that had taken control of her life. Miryam knows that only the power of God could have delivered her from her torment. She believes that Yeshua is the promised Messiah and does everything she can to help support he and his followers. Yeshua will deliver her people from the tyranny of Rome and bring justice for her family.

Miryam's story is told alternately with that of Atticus, the Roman soldier she holds responsible for the tragedy in her life. Angela Hunt was wise when she chose this method; the reader sees the story from both perspectives and yet understands the choices each character makes individually. They, like us, act only on their limited knowledge and understanding. But the consequences of their decisions affect many lives and the suspense builds as the reader begins to see what those potential consequences may be.

The end of the book is a satisfying one, although not a "fairy tale" happy ending.

I love reading well written and researched biblical fiction. It helps me see with fresh eyes and new understanding stories from the Bible I often take for granted. No longer am I an observer reading the stories from afar. I am now a participant, living the stories with the characters that experienced them.

Magdalene by Angela Hunt is one of those rare, absorbing novels that grabs you from the first page and simply doesn't let go. Hunt fleshes out the biblical account of Mary Magdalene to create a fully realized woman and give a biblically based answer to the portrait of Mary painted in Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code. Mary appears briefly in the New Testament, but at critical times. She is first mentioned in Luke 8 as being delivered from seven demons, and then following and supporting Jesus' ministry. She was at the cross when Jesus was crucified, and she was the first Jesus spoke to after the resurrection, and then she was charged with carrying the good news to his disciples.

This was a woman who was clearly present at critical times during Jesus' time on earth, but as Hunt points out in the interview included in the back of the book, she has been terribly misunderstood, and the facts of her life have been grossly misinterpreted. She has been called everything from a prostitute to the most recent outlandish claim of being Jesus' wife.

In Magdalene, Miryam is a respected businesswoman with a beloved family, until a foolish act by her oldest son brings the wrath of Rome upon her family, stripping Mary of everything she once held dear and filling her soul with an overwhelming bitterness and hate. Even after her descent into demonic possession and her miraculous deliverance through the touch of Jesus, Miryam's desire for retribution colors her perception of Jesus and his purpose on earth. Only when she discovers that God has used those who she labeled her enemies to prove his profound love and provision for her does she fully realize the meaning of forgiveness and the depth of God's grace.

Hunt constructs a fascinating portrait of Mary, posing one answer to the question -- what brought Mary so low, to the point that seven demons possessed her soul? Who was she prior to being possessed, and what was her relationship with Jesus and his ministry after her deliverance? In attempting to answer these questions, Hunt brings ancient Israel to life with dazzling color and depth. This is some of the best biblical fiction that I've ever read, on par with Francine Rivers' equally extraordinary Lineage of Grace and Sons of Encouragement novellas. Through Mary, Hunt paints a beautiful portrait of Christ's love, his redemption of mankind, and of his ability to reach us where we're at, no matter how far we've fallen.

In addition to Magdalene, two other novels telling the story of Mary Magdalene have been released: the contemporary retelling Divine by Karen Kingsbury and the young adult novel Maggie's Story by Dandi Daley Mackall. Personally, I have no desire to read The Da Vinci Code or see the film. But I am profoundly glad that Hunt was inspired to write such a beautiful, moving novel. Highly recommended.

References: Mary Magdalene; former demoniac (Luke 8:2). Helped support Jesus' ministry (Luke 8:1-3). At the cross (Matthew 27:56; Mark 15:40; John 19:25), burial (Matthew 27:61; Mark 15:47). Saw angel after resurrection (Matthew 28:10; Mark 16:1-9; Luke 24:1-12); also Jesus (John 20:1-18).

In Angela Hunt's latest book, Magdalene, readers are drawn back in time to experience the life of Mary Magdalene. Because of the actions of her strong-willed son, she finds herself alone after Roman soldiers murder her family members and set her house on fire. Mary sees no purpose in continuing with life other than bringing justice to the men responsible for the death of her husband, son, and precious baby. The restitution she seeks is not easily gained from the Roman rulers. Mary finds herself under the influence of demon possession until she is spared from their nagging voices by a man named Jesus. What starts out as a revengeful pursuit turns into a journey of forgiveness.

If readers have never heard the story of Mary Magdalene, or even if they know every detail, Hunt has a way of drawing them in. She brings Mary's emotions to life and makes readers feel as if they are right beside her, encountering everything together. Hunt uses a fictitious format to enhance the understanding of this biblical story.

This book is intriguing from the beginning and continues to peak interest with many scenes and episodes that keep the reader desiring to discover what lies on the next page. It captures multiple audiences by appealing to those who are fans of Bible-based fiction and anyone who likes a well-written, suspense-filled novel. If you are thinking about reading this book, stop thinking about it--pick it up and be ready for a powerful, dramatic, fresh account of this often-told biblical story. -- Alyssa Curry, Christian Book Previews.com

As usual, Angela Hunt delivers a lively, engaging story-this time taking familiar Bible characters and fleshing them out as living, breathing people. Told from the point of view of the title character and a fictional Roman centurion, Magdalene transports you to the dusty roads of first century Israel and Rome. Hunts skillful writing helps readers understand the customs and culture of the time and debunks the myth that Miryam of Magdala ever shared a secret life with Jesus.

The family Hunt sets Mary Magdalene in allows us to glimpse what daily life was like and provides a springboard for the historical events in Magdalene's life-her demonic possession and her part in the ministry of Jesus Christ. Magdalene is told in such a way that readers are able to fully understand how Jesus' disciples misinterpreted his earthly ministry. Hunt retells incidents of traditional Bible stories in a way that gives readers those "a-ha!" moments, illuminating the meaning behind words spoken by first century Jews to first century Jews.

I thoroughly recommend Magdalene as an important, timely book that provides hours of thought provoking and pleasant entertainment.

Angela Hunt's work never fails to satisfy, and she lives up to her reputation in this compelling portrait of one of the most controversial of Biblical women. Mary Magdalene, Miryam of Magdala in this book, has been portrayed as fallen woman, demoniac, and romantic interest throughout the years. This is a Mary I never expected to know. I had a hard time connecting to the character until about midway through the book when I was forced to recognize that her hardness of heart was my own, and how she believed without fulling trusting in Jesus was so similar to my own walk with him that it was hard, but rewarding, reading for me. Hunt's use of richness of detail and scholarship brings 1st century AD life alive. Miryam loses her entire family to the Romans after a rash act by her son. That loss leads from one unto the next until the shell of a woman is renewed by meeting with the prophet Yeshua (Jesus). But changing her heart is up to Miryam, and she holds tight to her anger. Atticus is an unexpected character whose world and faith are so different than Miryam's. As their stories weave together and apart, we're led to a stunning climax that leaves no one untouched. This is not the Mary Magdalene we've come to expect, Hunt has written her as far more human, far more like us, and the reader is blessed for it.

The release of Angela Hunt's latest Biblical novel, Magdalene, is more than timely as the allegations concerning Miryam (Mary) Magdalene's relationship to Jesus as proposed by Dan Brown's, The DaVinci Code has confused many people. Angela Hunt has previously authored some exceptional novels surrounding the Biblical accounts of Joseph and his brothers and with Magdalene she has again triumphed by bringing Mary's story to life with thorough research and sensitive extrapolation.

The opening chapter finds Miryam in Rome, preparing to tell her life story to her judge, Flavius Gemellus, a requirement imposed on all prisoners facing execution for crimes against the Roman empire. Also present is centurian Atticus Aurelius, who spent many years as a soldier in Judea and whose life is inexplicably entwined with Miryam's although he is initially unaware of her identity. As the story unfolds we see Miryam's life in Magdala is prosperous and she shares it with her husband and two sons until her eldest, Avram, foolishly offends a Roman soldier with devastating results. Miryam's spiralling grief and heartache is chillingly told as she eventually succumbs to madness due to her overwhelming hatred of all things Roman and the desperation in her heart.

True to the Biblical account, Miryam meets Yeshua (Jesus)and is delivered of the demons possessing her, enabling her to be restored to the community and she chooses to follow Yeshua and his disciples. However, Miryam will not let go of the simmering anger against those who have wronged her and it boils over after Yeshua is crucified, as her dreams of him conquering the Roman foe in battle are destroyed. Despite her knowledge of his miraculous resurrection, Miryam embarks on a dangerous and misguided plan in the hope of finding justice by her own hand.

Angela Hunt has used the first person narrative to tell Miryam's story, with Atticus Aurelius's point of view interspersed throughout which assists in the reader's understanding of people and events. Ms Hunt sensitively uses Jesus' own words from the Bible as much as possible and her bibliography displays extensive research to ensure actual historical people and events are accurately portrayed. This book provides a solid Biblical basis on which to consider the life of Miryam and the extraordinary compassion and sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

In the first century in Israel, nobody hates the Roman occupation more than Miryam. She is married to a fisherman and has her own business in the market place. Her oldest son Avram preaches rebellion and spits on a centurion's foot. In retaliation that soldier Gaius has his men including Atticus burn the house down killing Miryan's son, pregnant daughter-in-law and her beloved husband. Atticus Aurelius finds an infant and in direct disobedienceto his superior's orders gets him to safety.

Miryam, who was spared because she was away from the house, goes mad with hatred and allows demons to possess her. It is only when Yeshua comes along and casts them out does the bereaved widow and mother regain her sanity and becomes a direct follow of the rabbi. She follows him as he preaches thinking that he will somehow avenge her for what Rome did for her family Miryam witnesses his resurrection and spreads the truth about his divinity to the people. However her hatred for Atticus and Gaius and desire for revenge almost causes her to commit one of the biggest sins of all. In case anyone hasn't guessed it by now, this is the story of Mary Magdalene.

Angela Hunt has written a meticulously researched and well told story of Mary Magdalene one of the most controversial people in Christ's ministry. The author makes the era come alive, populating the storyline with actual historical figures and allowing the reader to visualize the turbulence during Christ's earthly ministry and the disciples who spread his word around the world. This is a fascinating work based on biblical and historical details.

Harriet Klausner

This is a fabulous book for those who love backstories and historical fiction with just enough actual to make the story some what familiar and just enough fiction to give the reader food for thought. In the same caliber as "The Red Tent".

We all have a pretty clear pre-conceived notion of Mary Magdalene as the prostitute that caused so much trouble being in the group of Jesus' disciples. No one ever considered, how did she get to that point in her life? What happened to make her come to Jesus and how did she become a fallen woman?

The book will engage your imagination while educating your inquiring mind on some of the basics of societal norms and mores of the first century. It is a very entertaining read. Having two viewpoints to see the story - one as Magdalene and the other as a Roman centurion, Atticus, gives a variety of views on every event.

Well-written, not overly biblical, easily understood and one you will want to discuss with pals who are voracious readers.

I was fortunate enough to receive an advanced copy.It is a book though set in early A.D. It fit in to what was happening in my life. There is a scene early on as madness becomes Miryam's constant companion. What leads to madness was totally unexpected. She is introduced into the World of Paganism. As it consumes her your heart hurts for her battle. This story is poignant for me because everywhere I look I am being bombarded with Wiccan Doctrine. A highlight of which includes worshipping idols. This is fiction that is for today. One is reminded that Yeshua knows each of us as individuals. All it takes is for us is the courage to open the door. The Pearl is the first story I read of Mrs.Hunt. I cried. Magdalene has lingered in my mind for weeks.

This may not be the most accurate account of Mary Magdalene, but it sure is the most interesting. If you are looking for great fiction and will realize that this is purely fiction brought to life by the author's imagination, you will enjoy this book.