Mary Magdalene

by Ellen Gunderson Traylor

She was a woman every man loved. She became a woman every man feared. Enter the world of the favored mistress of Magdala Inn. Her profession was her shame, her past a nightmare...until the Lord of life gave her hope. This gripping novel sweeps into the psyche of the Magdalene, promising hope and healing for all wounded hearts.

Genres: Christian, Biblical Fiction, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Christian Fiction

319 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 1985

About the author

Ellen Gunderson Traylor, "America's Foremost Biblical Novelist," is a gifted storyteller who brings characters of the Bible to life. Her many bestselling novels have sold about a million copies in English, with numerous foreign translations.

In addition to writing bestselling novels, Traylor has been a magazine/newspaper columnist and correspondent. An award-winning feature writer, Traylor has written screenplays and political speeches, and was a contributing writer and researcher for the Tyndale Family Bible Encyclopedia project.

Reviews

[Kristi · Rating 2 out of 5]

I remember picking this up from a church library. I kind of wonder, at times, how it got snuck in there. Because Mary is a demon possessed prostitute and there's a lot of adult ideas in it. In fact, I clearly remember asking my parents during a car trip while I was reading this book what the word "phallic" meant. They immediately wanted to know what I was reading.

[Kyra · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ik geef niet snel maar 1 ster, maar 'ok' was nog te goed. Het is niet voor niets dat ik het boek heel lang heb laten liggen. Nu heb ik het alleen uitgelezen voor mijn 'reading challenge'.
Ik vond het boek te sentimenteel en enorm ongeloofwaardig. Het verhaal voelt als één bij elkaar verzonnen fantasie. Ook voelde het historisch niet correct, het hele verhaal is geschreven vanuit een point of view van deze tijd. De joodse samenleving, de gedachten en gevoelens van Maria voelden absoluut niet authentiek. Ik zag alleen maar een Amerikaanse vrouw voor me die zich probeerde in te leven in iemand anders. Om er nog wat gewicht aan te geven kwam er een vaag verhaal van misbruik en bezetenheid bij. Ook hoe Maria naar Jezus kijkt is.. vreemd en tenenkrommend.
Gemiste kans!

[Ava · Rating 4 out of 5]

This did have a few things that I disagreed with, as well as a few frightening things, but otherwise very interesting.

[Bonny · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this a couple of years ago and at first I didn't think I would get through the first few chapters. I found it very graphic and disturbing. However, I did persevere and ended up enjoying the book. To know what Magdalene's life could've been like in that day and age, and the sort of terrible experiences and circumstances that could've occurred that led her to the life of prostitution and demonic possession that she was bound by were so helpful in gaining more of a personal understanding of who she was, and particularly how life-changing her encounter with Jesus Christ was. It's so easy to simply read about Magdalene briefly in the bible and just carry on with no real knowledge of what she went through and therefore not truly understand the miracle that happened to her when she met Christ. The power of Jesus to miraculously change a person's life is so amazingly evident in the life story of Mary Magdalene, and Ellen Gunderson Traylor writes a brilliant novel that really does bring Mary's story to life.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I couldn't put down the book. It kept me enthralled. A wonderful book for opening the mind to the possibilities of realities we face every day in people. Most of us are quick to judge a person and their circumstances at that moment not giving any thought to how they ended up, as you see them at that moment or the past experiences they might have endured. Compassion is a necessity for our own peace and humanity plus we learn from everyone we meet if we take the time to truly observe and open our mind. This was a well written and well thought out plausible explanation of the woman that the New Testament gives us brief glimpses of. It reminds the reader to accept the truth that most people we know, meet briefly, live with or next to many times have a past that we are unaware of or is tactfully hidden behind the facade others are allowed to see. Often traumatic or painful parts of our past can be hidden or suppressed even within ourselves as in this gripping but relevant to today, storyline. I highly recommend this book!

[Audrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars. Mary's life is sad. Daughter of a poor fishermen, she is neglected by her father who later sells her into prostitution. Eventually she is tormented by demons who possess her body and spirit. After many years a friend finds her who takes Mary to Jesus. When Jesus heals her Mary's love for him abounds and she anoints Him with expensive oils. This portrayal of Mary Magdalene's life seemed quite probable to me.

[Marian · Rating 1 out of 5]

Slut-shaming tripe that loves to make you sit through constant abuse of sex-workers and trauma porn. If seeing Mary debased is a kink, this book succeeded at something.

[Deborah Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story of Mary Magdeline and her devotion to our Lord is humbling.

[Olusola Anyanwu · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing story of transformation. The author is such a skilled writer at drawing in readers to empathise and love her characters ,no matter who they are.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was not expecting this version of the Mary Magdalene story. Most interpretations I've heard are consistent of her being demon-possessed, and a few claim she's a sex worker, but none of them do what this book did. Warnings in this description and the book for: abuse, assault, sexual assault, demon possession, and child sexual exploitation.

This book starts Mary's story with her being the victim of her father first neglecting her and then selling her into the sex trade to support their family, then continues with her developing a second identity due to severe trauma, and eventually becoming possessed. All of this is presented as more of a spiritual issue than the very real trauma and horror it is, and despite the demons taking the form of traumatic figures from her past they are treated as purely satanic figures.

The writing was reasonably competent and didn't fall into overly flowery prose or dry didacticism, but the subject matter was awful and not handled gracefully at all.

[Ralph Gara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've read this book a few years ago when i borrowed it from my girlfriend back in high school. the story pretty much captures much about what this particular follower's devotion to Christ. but what really caught my attention was the way the author made quite a storyline for her past - the things that happened to her before she met Jesus. makes people wanna see the human side of Jesus after seeing this knowing Mary like that...

[Jerry (Rebel With a Massive Media Library) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed Ellen Gunderson Traylor's portrayal of one of the most enigmatic figures in all of Scripture, and would recommend it to all fans of Christian fiction; however, the poor formatting, with pages that look like they came from an office copier and an unsightly back cover, will likely turn many potential readers away. If you can find Mary Magdalene at your local library or thrift store, don't let the format issues stop you; read it and enjoy.

[Katy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book, though read years ago, still tops my list as one of the most impacting books I've ever read. This biblical story is really brought to life in a way that, as a milestone, molded my Christian walk.

[Denise Schiller]

I love this story so much that I went through agonizing trouble to find it again. I had forgotten the author, and couldn't remember the title. thanks to goodreads I found it again and I am ordering it today....gonna read it again and again!!!!

[Shane Fritz · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author spent far more time on Mary's story prior to knowing Jesus, and little after. Although she conveyed the power of the life-changing encounter, I feel she could have develped that part of the story more.

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked hearing more about Mary Magdalene's life than that she was a prostitute redeemed by Jesus. This made her a real person and showed how exhausting and stressful Jesus' mission was.

[Vickie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy Ellen's insight into characters in the Scriptures. This brought up a discussion in my family - and I am grateful for books that do that.

[Sneha · Rating 5 out of 5]

well-imagined.

[Kelly Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Did a great job on characters and bringing the Biblical story to life

[Sally Andrews · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of all, I want to caution you. There is nothing wrong, in my opinion, with reading religious fiction. It helps us to fill in the gaps that we have in stories of people of faith. Be honest? Don't you fill in those gaps in your mind anyway? Do you ever read Bible stories and wish you knew much more? I bet you do.

So with that being said, realize that this book, and many others, is indeed fiction. It's based on the Bible, but it's fleshed out to answer questions as the author thinks they should be answered. Be totally cognizant that much of this is MADE UP. Then move on from there and read this. It's really very good.

It's tale of how Mary of Magdala's life MIGHT HAVE BEEN. Keep that in mind, and enjoy this book of anguish, redemption, and love. Then go read the Bible to be sure you have the FACTS right!

Seek His Word always! And most of all, know that NO ONE is beyond redemption! NO ONE!