Jeanette R. (thebeakeeper) reviewed Wanted it to be so much better than it was on 12/2/2008 + 167 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 4

i really really really wanted to like this book. really. but i just had some real problems.

the main one is that i kept taking my background and what ive learned and applying it. its really conflicting. i think this wouldve been a much better story if id never heard of jesus.

from the very start this was a little hard because a lot of names and biblical references are thrown in and as i was reading it i was just really confused. the author shouldve either kept the names and references out or explained them.

also- i understand that the novel is a work of fiction and based on what LITTLE is known about mary magdalene. but....

!!SPOILER!!!
the fact that she had 7 demons in her is just...ridiculous. theres a ton of posession going on. i mean how many demons are there and was the issue that bad? its like one of out every 10 people they meet has a demon in them. yeah...

!!!SPOILER!!!
and jesus- his character is not portrayed as ive been taught. he will only take israelites on as his disciples (prejudiced much?) and he makes threats towards entire towns if they dont follow him. (open minded much?) towards the end of the story he becomes this crazy vengeful guy and im like what? who is this? and why does he not figure out thats hes the messiah until the end? huh?

!!!SPOILER!!!
jesus' family- ok they disown him because he decides to leave and teach. they dont believe he is the chosen one. weren't joseph and mary warned that they were having this miracle baby who was going to change the world? why would they disown him and why would his siblings loathe him? is the whole away in a manager thing ignored here? and did he really have a ton of brothers and sisters?

!!!SPOILER!!!
mary magdalene- im really disapointed in her character. she seemed like a pretty strong cool girl. but she freaking leaves her baby behind. how uncool is that? and she was married? she just doesnt seem like this amazing strong woman ive always pictured her to be. shes actually weak and annoying.

she also gains the power to heal people through jesus. if this were in any way possible, wouldnt jesus have had everyone he taught learn to heal and then they heal and then everyone is forever healed? and if everyone can heal why is he the special one. his disciples can heal through him so arent they just as good?

the end of the book really has so little to do with mary magdalene and more about jesus. i felt like the author totally lost focus.

honestly, i skimmed the last 50 or so pages i was just tired of it. i really wanted to like it. and if i was able to read it as a story and not put my knowledge into it it mightve been better. but not great.

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