The Magdalene Gospel (1995 Ashcroft), novel

The Magdalene Gospel (1995) is a novel by Mary Ellen Ashcroft.

Abstract

“Meeting the women who followed Jesus.” A fictionalized version of the Gospels from the point of view of Mary Magdalene and her female companions in mourning.

"Jesus touched the lives of many women with compassion, love, and forgiveness. However, the story of the women who followed Jesus goes almost unnoticed in the gospels. The Magdalene Gospel shatters the centuries of silence imposed on these women. Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of Jesus, and others devoted their lives to Jesus; they gave up everything for him, because he had given them everything. As Jesus gave his life for them, these women shared his pain at the foot of the cross, and risked their lives by caring for his crucified body. In the dark nights and gloomy days between Jesus' death and his resurrection, Mary Magdalene and the other women tried to make sense of their Lord's tragic end. This is their story. The Magdalene Gospel tells the very personal, moving stories of how Jesus changed people's lives. Stricken with the unspeakable pain of losing Jesus, Mary Magdalene and her friends grieve, cry, and care for one another. They emerge from this dark hour by caring for others, as Jesus had cared for them. Weakly, but then with increasing strength, they give voice to the depth of their love of Jesus and their reasons for following him. In sharing their stories, Mary Magdalene and her sister mourners begin to shed the burden of grief. No other book allows women disciples to tell their own stories. This fresh perspective, presented in a captivatingly personal, yet very accessible style, enlivens the well-known story of Jesus. The Magdalene Gospel is good news for everyone."--Publisher description.

Editions

Published in New York, NY: 1995. Reissued in Minneapolis, MN: 2002.

Translated into Italian:

• Il Vangelo secondo Maria Maddalena (1997 Ashcroft / Bianchi Oddera), novel (Italian ed.)

External links

• Google Books