Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Mary Magdalene - Reviewed


















Book Blurb:
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:
This book hit home for me on many levels. I have no idea how Diana was able to write seizures so incredibly perfectly, but she was.  Mary is a young girl when she is kidnapped and held for ransom, she watches as her father is stabbed, and this begins her nightmares and seizures. For years she is plagued with headaches that turn into horrible seizures. She can't be left alone, do anything alone, she gets violent. Her father seeks a betrothal for her from a distant cousin and the moment he sees Mary's physical aliment he wants nothing to do with her. 
Her father, Jared and her mother, Rachel had taken her to the priest to have the demons removed and that hasn't worked. Mary prays to HaShem begging for the seizures to leave her. 
Jared, allowed Nathan, Mary's childhood friend, and his apprentice to teach Mary the Torah. What he didn't realize was that there was an attraction between them and Nathan loved Mary, Nathan cared about her before she got sick and after. 
When Nathan hears of Jesus and he seeks him out because he is told that He can heal the sick and remove demons, I felt like I was on the road with him, and right there with the feeding of the 5,000. 
The scene of Mary reaching Jesus is breath taking! His gentle voice, Mary being free for the first time in years. I had tears streaming down my face. 

I know first hand how horrible seizures are and while I don't convulse like what was portrayed in this book they mess with your whole body. Diana has written an absolutely beautiful book about loving someone who is not perfect physically. My heart was touched and overwhelmed. I can't recommend this book highly enough! Don't miss it!
  

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