Customer Reviews

Mary Magdalene: The Modern Guide to the Bible's Most Mysterious And Misunderstood Woman

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Of the plethora of books available today on the subject of Mary Magdalene, this one is, in my opinion, one of the best. In her approach to the subject, author Meera Lester provides a balance view of Mary Magdalene using as source material the New Testament Gospels, the Gnostic materials, legend, and oral traditions. Replete with prayers and ways to venerate the saint, this little book could serve as a handy reference book or devotional manual for modern women interested in Mary Magdalene as a spiritual role model. The author suggests that this saint is as relevant today as she was more than 2,000 years ago. My thumb is up for this one.

Louisa P.--Richmond, CA

There is a typo in the book that says Mary, mother of Jesus, is the daughter of Elizabeth, instead of Anne. Elizabeth was Mary's cousin. Other than that the book is pretty good, although now I'm wondering what else is a typo in the book that I just haven't noticed because I'm not knowledgeable on all the information talked about.

As an avid Magdalene follower with too many books on the subject to count, I was very impressed by this little handbook from Ms. Lester. Not only does she give the MOST balanced perspective of all views of Mary Magdalene, but she does it in such a splendid, easily readable way. She presents Mary in light of her Catholic and Gnostic following, as well as from a feminist approach, along with many other lesser-known ways that she is regarded. Ms. Lester also included here devotional ideas and prayers...some of the best I've seen so far (although there are scarce few available; this book fills a void). This is a book I will turn to again and again in my personal journey on the Magdalene path. The ONLY thing that was glaringly missing from the book was a specific devotional for Mary's feast day, July 22nd. But with all the other delightful and informative guidance given here, one hardly misses it. In fact, I felt completely immersed in "the Magdalene attitude"...something I had yet to really feel with any other book. Bravo, Ms. Lester!

What lead me to purchase this book? Perhaps I was reading about a different St. Mary Magda book and it got mixed up, I don't know. I love this Saint and this book is a hodge podge of New Age "tools" such as tarot, affirmations, feminism, and uninspired interpretations. It's superficial and reads like a "National Enquirer"

In the introduction the author says when she mentioned writing this book to a Catholic Priest, he called her research heresy. Trust the Priest, this book is full of it. The author is a convert to Catholicism, but I actually can't begin to understand why. She disagrees completely with Apostolic succession and claims that Magdalene was the leader Jesus intended, not Peter. She makes up a mythical version of reality and fails miserably to support her point with any truth found in the Gospels or Tradition of the Church. She completely ignores historical context and proper theology. Her "evidence" is all found in Gnostic texts and her personal speculation of what was "left out of the Bible". (My personal favorite, supporting the theory that Jesus and Magdalene were married: None of the gospel writers said Jesus and Magdalene were not married.)

If you want to know more about Mary Magdalene, don't read this book. But if for some unknown reason you do, prepare yourself for a tantrum about every 10 pages about inequality of sexes and women Priests.