The Secret Magdalene

By: Ki Longfellow

Narrated by: Bernadette Dunne

Raised like sisters, Mariamne and Salome are indulged with riches, position, and learning-a rare thing for females in Jerusalem. But Mariamne has a further gift: an illness has left her with visions; she has the power of prophecy. It is her prophesying that drives the two girls to flee to Egypt, where they study philosophy, mathematics, and astronomy in the Great Library of Alexandria.

After seven years they return to a Judaea where many now believe John the Baptizer is the messiah. Salome too begins to believe, but Mariamne, now called Magdalene, is drawn to his cousin, Yeshu’a, a man touched by the divine in the same way she was during her days of illness. Together they speak of sharing their direct experience of God; but Yeshu’a unexpectedly gains a reputation as a healer, and as the ill and the troubled flock to him, he and Magdalene are forced to make a terrible decision.

This radical retelling of the greatest story ever told brings Mary Magdalene to life-not as a prostitute or demon-possessed-but as an educated woman who was truly the “apostle to the apostles.”©2007 Ki Longfellow; (P)2007 Books on Tape

Critic reviews

“Highly original and highly engaging, The Secret Magdalene is a sweeping yet intimate tale, an emotional and intellectual journey that questions everything, including the real nature of Jesus.” –India Edghill, author of Wisdom’s Daughter

“In The Secret Magdalene Ki Longfellow portrays Jesus and Mary Magdalene of the Gnostic Gospel tradition-two great teachers whose friendship blossoms within the political turmoil of first century Palestine. What The DaVinci Code only hinted at, Longfellow brings to life.” –Rebecca Kohn, author of The Gilded Chamber

“Imaginative, well-researched, and full of profound wisdom, this wonderful novel brings the ancient world to life.” –Timothy Freke, co author of The Laughing Jesus

“Superb characterization, a brilliant visual palette, and thorough scholarship. One feels the stone streets of Jerusalem, breathes the air by the stinking salt sea . . . Ki Longfellow’s Mariamne will no doubt eclipse all other representations of Mary Magdalene for some time. The Secret Magdalene is both heartbreaking and inspiring.” –Earl Doherty, author of The Jesus Puzzle

“A beautifully written book, immaculately researched. It moved me to tears . . . I felt if this is not how it was, it is certainly how it should have been.” –BookCrossing.com

Captivating & Thought-Provoking

This is one of the best audiobooks I have ever had the pleasure to listen to. The characters seemed very real and the historical setting was extremely well-researched. Even though it's fiction - it has a truthfulness to it that allows for the suspension of disbelief.

I don't take it as an attack on the Christian religion - but then, I'm not religious. The philosophy, central to this book, that God is inside each of us & works through us doesn't seem (to me, at least) to be inconsistent with the teachings of Jesus.

So give this book a try. At the very least, it will make you think.

Mary Magdalene

A well researched, superbly written and thought-provoking fictional portrayal of the lifes and times of Mary Magdalene and Yeshua/Jesus.
In THE SECRET MAGDALENE, Mary Magdalene steps out of the shadows and onto center stage. Through the fictional voice of Mariamne, Mary Magdalene is elevated to a position of prominence as a disciple and the beloved companion of Jesus Christ. A well researched, superbly written and thought-provoking fictional portrayal of the lifes and times of Mary Magdalene and Yeshua/Jesus. This imaginative novel will undoubtedly attract a lot of attention and foster discussion about one of the most controversial and fascinating women in early Church history

Secret Mangdelene

this was a stunning interpretation of the story of Jesus and Mar Magelwna. coming from the point id view if Mary Magdelwn made bit that much more powerful. highly recommend.

Lovely story, great characters.

I loved the risks the author took with this story. She was really willing to give up preconceptions and step inside her characters and tell it like she saw it. The result is a lovely novel that I found compelling from beginning to end. Each character is fully fleshed out ... and I can almost believe this is all Truth. I read for a living, and when I read something in my "free" time, it better be good. I found myself setting aside extra time to listen to this book.

I finished this book in 3 days!

Even though I knew how it goes 😉 I was fascinated
great book
performance is very good
and the story is magnetic