Song of the Magdalene [Paperback]

Donna Jo Napoli (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 27, 2004

The story of a teenage Mary Magdalene -- here called Miriam -- is finally told....

When the world goes dark and her mind explodes within her, Miriam's future is shattered. In ancient Israel such seizures make her unclean. If anyone finds out about them, she will be an outcast.

Only Abraham -- the son of Hannah, her caretaker -- shares her secret. Abraham, too, is afflicted -- a perfect mind in an imperfect body -- and to the villagers he is an idiot.

To Miriam he is a savior....

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This novel imagines the youth of the girl who would become Mary Magdalene and the events that shaped her into a powerful Biblical figure. "Readers may come away with new thoughts about a different era," said PW. Ages 12-up.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Grade 7 Up-Napoli has created two stories in this intriguing novel. One is the creation of a plausible explanation for the brief mentions of Mary Magdalene in the New Testament. The second is that same tale seen as a story of a young woman who finds herself an outsider. The narrative is rich with modern issues of gender, disability, violence against women, and spirituality. Miriam describes her life from age 10 to 16 when she is deeply troubled by the occurrence of "fits," which over the years come upon her 7 times. She is driven in her loneliness to explore nature and to learn the songs and poetry of her faith. Her closest relationship is with severely disabled Abraham. As teenagers, the two become lovers, briefly, before he dies. Pregnant, Miriam withdraws into herself until, after being raped, she loses the child and is forced to seek shelter elsewhere. In her travels, she hears of the great healer Joshua, or Jesus. At the end of the tale she finds him; she is cured of the seven devils and becomes a follower of the Master. Knowledge of ancient Hebrew culture, an ability to express the feelings and anguish of an intense young woman, and skillful weaving of plot and character create a gripping novel that is hard to put down. The necessity of finding an ending compatible with the Biblical scene in which Mary Magdalene first appears does in the end constrain a plot that is otherwise highly inventive and complex. Napoli has taken up a challenging and possibly controversial topic and created an interesting book that should lead readers to look further into both Old and New Testament histories.
Shirley Wilton, Ocean County College, Toms River, NJ
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 13 and up
  
• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Simon Pulse; Original edition (April 27, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0689873964
• ISBN-13: 978-0689873966
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #440,884 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #20 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Religions > Fiction > Other
  • #27 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Biographies > Other
  • #62 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Religions > Fiction > Jewish

More About the Author

For all information about Donna Jo Napoli (books, events, biography, awards, contact information), please go to http://www.donnajonapoli.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I thought this was a great book in all aspects., December 1, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Song of the Magdalene (Point) (Mass Market Paperback)

Song of the Magdalene -Donna Jo Napoli This was a book of very good quality, bordering on excellence. I believe this book could be read at the grade seven or eight level, although the subject matter is more appropriate for grades nine to eleven. This book would appeal to most regular readers, but not all.

The timeline of the story is around 05 AD to 25 AD. Set in what is now Israel, this book has vivid scenes in mostly the town Magdala, and also various other places along the River Jordan. This book is an excellent reference to get a view of life in this time and place. Song of the Magdalene is a fictional story of the young Mary Magdalene. Her family a quite respected in her village, and they are not poor, to say the least. Miriam lives with her father, her servant friend Hannah and Hannah's paraplegic son Abraham. At the age of ten she leads a rather normal life until the occurrence of her first fit.(seizure) In her culture and religion having a physical affliction is seen as evil and a fit represents an evil sprit entering your body. Miriam is a smart girl; because of this she knows that she must not let anyone find out about her fits, or she will be labeled as impure and be a social disgrace. To hide she spends her days in the valleys and forests, when she should be doing chores, preparing herself to be a wife. Eventually Abraham, who is always stuck at home, convinces Miriam to bring him along on her excursions. Because he joins her, when she has her second fit he finds out about them, he assures her neither of them are evil. As they become closer Abraham teaches Miriam to sing the Song of Songs and to read the torah, two skills only men regularly have. They grow very close and an incident soon after sends Miriam's world spinning. All her secrets torn open, all her lies exposed. She is sent away. After much searching she finds herself, and the story ends where the fact from the bible begins, as Miriam meets Jesus. This book is very factual and the religious aspects of it are quite realistic. It is interesting to compare the social roles of men and women portrayed in this book to those of today, it sure has changed. I would consider this book quite an easy read with mature subject matter, which is not the best combination. Although Overall I would consider this book extremely good in all aspects including writing, historical facts, reality and to top it all off an adventurous story line.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful!, April 6, 1999

By 

[e-mail] - See all my reviews

This review is from: Song of the Magdalene (Point) (Mass Market Paperback)

Miriam (Mary Magdalene) is made into such a real character in this novel. Like Zel and The Magic Circle, this book is impossible to put down. I kept my family waiting for me at dinner for about 20 minutes when I just had to keep reading. The writing is beautiful and the moral issues this book brings up are very interesting. It is a wonderful book set in a time period that is not used much in YA fiction. Did I mention, this book is one of my favorites of all time? The subject matter is definitely for older readers--only ages 14 up (I'm 15)--but anyone old enough should read it.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A beautiful testament to love, October 18, 2000

By 

M. Hester (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Song of the Magdalene (Hardcover)

'I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine'-So goes a line of Solomon that perfectly describes this book. This book puts a new spin onto the story of Mary Magdalene. It makes her a truly unique individual in a time and place where individuality was scorned. The heartbreaking relationship between Miriam and Abraham forms the 'back-bone' of this marvelous book. Read this book to see what love should be,the joining of two souls in pure bliss.