Unveiling Mary Magdalene


Christian - Devotion/Study
290 Pages
Reviewed on 03/20/2009
Buy on Amazon

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    Book Review

Reviewed by Anne Boling for Readers' Favorite

Unveiling Mary Magdalene was previously published as Mad Mary. I am glad Ms. Higgs changed the name. This wonderful Biblical character deserved a superior title. Liz Curtis Higgs is the expert (in my opinion) when it comes to insight into women of the Bible. Unveiling Mary Magdalene begins with a fictional account of Mary Delaney. Mary is mentally ill; she was drawn to a church where she finds grace, forgiveness, love, and acceptance. Her church family assists her in cleaning up her home and finding homes for her numerous cats. Farris C. (a great play on words) was the epitome of a modern day Pharisee. The second section of this book begins at chapter nine. This is the non-fiction section. I find it gratifying that someone is willing to tell the true story of Mary Magdalene. There are many myths circulating about this wonderful woman; she was not a prostitute, nor was she the lover or wife of Jesus Christ. Mary was most likely a middle-aged woman, possibly a widow with an income. She was a woman that had demons cast out of her. She was respected, and she is mentioned by name in the Bible as one of the followers of Christ.

Liz Curtis Higgs has a gift for writing with wit and drama. Her style is over the top; however, that does not detract from her research and knowledge. Each chapter has discussion questions, and there is an in-depth study guide that can be purchased separately. Currently I am leading a co-ed study of this book. The members of this group are enjoying it. They have found the study both informative and entertaining. Even more importantly, they have found it spiritually moving. Kudos to Ms. Higgs. She has done it again. Unveiling Mary Magdalene is a must read!

Olivia E. Gontarz

Wow! This book is fabulous. Written with typical Liz humor and deep insight, this book is a must for anyone who wants to really understand Mary Magdalene. Liz lets us know why most of our perceptions about Mary Magdalene are erroneous. She also has that wonderful ability to modernize the story for us. We see a fictional modern woman and situation juxtaposed against the scriptural Mary. This really brings Mary to life. If you've read the DaVinci Code, you'll want to compare the two Marys represented.

I can also recommend Bad Girls of the Bible and Really Bad Girls of the Bible by the same author, who describes herself as a "former bad girl." Funny, moving, and meaningful.

Karen Lancto

I bought this book because I love Liz's sense of humor and thought that was what I was buying. I took it on vacation with me and read the novel portion of the book and was pleasantly surprised that it was a well written novel with a very serious side (it made me cry on the airplane). I enjoyed it so much that I am going to suggest it as a book/bible study at church. Liz is a multi-talented sister and I wouldn't hesitate to purchase anything that she wrote.

Karen Lancto

Ann Morrison

We are reading this book in a women's small group study. We have read all of the authors' other books in the "Bad Girls of the Bible" series. Her presentation of the story in a modern setting helps us relate to the story. We also appreciate the Biblical research that she includes. We would definitely recommend this book & the authors other books to any woman reader or women's group.

SanZ2400

Another Excellent book by Liz Curtis Higgs. Searching online for this book and finding a great price with reasonable shipping was quick and easy. Book was in good shape and shipped fast.

Karen G. Fast

Awesome Bible Study for our small ladies group. We watched the video our first meeting. Members are reading the fictionalized story (through pages 135)now. We will use the study guide (last part of the book) for several weeks of Bible Study.

R. F. Davis

I really enjoyed how Liz Curtis Higgs wrote this book in two separate parts; the first being a fictional story and the second being the study. It helped to develop the relationship between Jesus and Mary M. The Study was super informative as well, however I did feel that she was distracted by tangents that we not completely relevent to Mary's story. Overall it was very informative and enjoyable.

L. A. Harmon

This is a very unique way to study the Bible and its interesting characters. Higgs is extremely witty and creative!

Larry A. West

If the Bible labels Mary Magdelene a prostitute, need we speculate about her race? The same goes for Rohab, Jezebel, etc. It's the sick side of the Old and New Testaments.
Donald Redford calls them the most maligned race in history.