Mary Magdalene by Diana Wallis Taylor, Book review

Publisher: Revell (June 1, 2012)

ISBN-13: 978-0800720483

Synopsis:

Long maligned as a prostitute or a woman of questionable reputation, Mary Magdalene's murky story seems lost to the sands of time. Now a portrait of this enigmatic woman comes to life in the hands of an imaginative master storyteller. Diana Wallis Taylor's Mary is a woman devastated by circumstances beyond her control and plagued with terrifying dreams--until she has a life-changing confrontation with the Savior.

Lovers of historical and biblical fiction will find this creative telling of Mary's story utterly original and respectful as it opens their eyes to the redeeming work of Christ in the lives of those who follow him.

My thoughts:

I chose to feature the above synopsis instead of the one shown on the back of the cover for a personal reason. I admit I am only a student of the Gospels and for a moment as I read the cover's resume I thought there might be another Mary Magdalene!

The imagination of storyteller Diana Wallis Taylor brings readers however a new dimension to the picture we might have of this amazing woman who followed Christ till the end.

I found myself utterly enchanted by this author's narrative of a woman we know little of despite mentions in Luke, John and Acts. 

We know Jesus cast off seven demons from her and that she was a close follower.

We also know she witnessed His mock trial and heard His sentence, she was present at His crucifixion and later amongst the women who find the empty tomb.

In 'Mary Magdalene' Diana Wallis Taylor weaves a stirring profile of a gentle child who learned the Scriptures, growing up in Magdala, a coastal town off the Sea of Galilee with caring parents.

Following a tragic event, Mary Magdalene lives the next few years plagued by nightmares and yet amidst of all this, finds love and eventually will be healed. 

She eventually follows Jesus and witnessed to the Messiah's glory for the remaining of her life.

The author's rich historical and social details of Jewish life in Galilee in the time of Jesus interwoven with her chronicles of this amazing woman are most gripping!

A reader, young or old, will discover an emotional account of a woman we hardly knew and should remember first and foremost as one who was THERE.

This is the sort of enriching fictional work perfect as a gift for any young woman coming of age. It has all the elements of a love story of the purest form!

If I had a dozen copies, I would be passing them out right now!

5 Stars!!

 About the Author:

 

An Award winning author (her book 'Martha' is # 5 on the UK Christian Book list), this grandmother with six grown children and 10 grandchildren, had her first poem published when she was twelve years old. 

She enjoys writing Biblical Fiction and Christian Fiction and her novel 'Mary Magdalene' was published on 1 June 2012.

Her next project, a book on the wife of Pontius Pilate will be published in June 2013.

For more on this author read (here). Take a moment to read the section 'Staging your characters' actions' and check out her two other books, 'Journey to the Well' and 'Martha'.

I received this book free from BAKER/REVELL as part of their blogger review program.

I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.