Saint Fiction: "Poisoned Honey"

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Gormley, Beatrice. Poisoned Honey. New York: Knopf, 2010.

This novel chronicles the teenage years of Mary Magdalene as she struggles to find strength in the turbulent years before Christ.

Who was Mary Magdalene? A Saint? A Sinner? This haunting novel rooted in the hazy days of her teenage years is the story of Mary's personal transformation. A transformation from a girl who believes she is being tormented by seven demons to a woman healed by Jesus and destined to become one of his closest disciples.

Set in Magdala, Mari grows up on the shore of the Sea of Galilee (Lake Gennesaret) where she is tethered by the customs of her time. As she resigns herself to the customary arranged marriage, she is hopeful that her father will choose someone she might grow to love. But when disease sweeps through their town and her father dies, she is abandoned to the whims and greed of her uncle and brother.

Married off to an old man she finds herself in a household without friendship. It is then that she seeks the advice of an Egyptian wisewoman who introduces her to the spiritual world. At first the demons seem like friendly spirits seeking only to help her, but as her domestic situation worsens, she finds herself in the grip of seven demons seeking to harm not only her enemies, but also the few she holds close.

As you come to understand Mari, you will also know more about faith and forgiveness and the personal transformation that is possible when Mari is cherished by the man who would inspire a movement which resonates with many to this day.