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The Madonna Secret

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The Madonna Secret

By: Sophie Strand
Narrated by: Sophie Strand
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About this listen

 • Reroots Mary Magdalene and Jesus in the lush ecology and complex spiritual culture of Second Temple Period Judea and Galilee under Roman rule

• Rewilds the Gospels with the forgotten voices of defiant and oppressed women, the nature-based storytelling of oral communities, and the embodied eroticism of a lovable rabbi with appetites and desires, doubts and shame, and a playful sense of humor

• Retells a familiar narrative informed by extensive research in botany and ecology, scriptural analysis, feminist studies, and the mythic traditions of the Mediterranean

When Leukas, a Christian convert, ventures into the wilds of Gaul to receive the hidden teachings from Mary Magdalene before she dies, he discovers that hidden within the Gospels he thinks he knows is an epic love story—between an educated Jewish woman overwhelmed by her mysterious spiritual powers and a sensual magician devoted to the wisdom of the earth. The secrets she will reveal are both more shocking and more tragic than anything readers have encountered before.

Beginning with Miriam’s childhood as a member of a wealthy Jewish family living outside of Bethany, we see her struggles as a young woman with spiritual curiosity and intellectual aspirations that drive her to combat the violence of Empire and the sexism of her own culture. Propelled by mystic visions, Miriam is finally drawn into the wilds of Galilee, where her destiny collides with a mischievous rabbi who will change her and the world forever. Trapped in a mythic story unfolding in events around them, the lovers strive not to repeat a tragedy older than the pyramids.

In The Madonna Secret, Sophie Strand resurrects a richly textured world where complex characters reveal the lived reality of scripture and open familiar sayings to radical new meanings and possibilities. Ancient Historical Metaphysical & Visionary Witty Middle East

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All stars
Most relevant
I love her concept of the story of Miriam - such a generally neglected story - it feels very right. In general I really enjoyed listening to a woman’s version from a woman’s point of view of the story we all know so well.
The length was a little too long & could have been a little edited in my opinion. Also it would have been greatly enhanced to have other people speaking for the other characters. 🙏🏼💖

Fascinating

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Sophie's telling of her story enchants the listener into a magical world of our true nature and how we have become confused in our role as nature's powerful custodians. She weaves a most beautifully descriptive world that one can't help but be with Miriam every step, every breath and every heartbeat along the journey. May we all learn from the fallen ancestors and rise to meet our future in harmony and right relationship with all life. Thank you Sophie 🙏❤️

A sublime retelling of a possible golden memory

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I loved this book from start to end such a journey you don’t just read it you live it with her the sights the smells the emotions the tears the peace and the love

Beautiful

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Courageous, deeply tender, heartbreaking, soul-mending, sweeping epic so beautifully wrought in a sumptuos feast of language.

I disappeared utterly and completely into Miriam's universe; her joys were my joys, her pain was my pain - I loved with her, laughed with her, grieved with her and know I will miss her for daaaaaays since parting ways with her last page.

Cue my biggest book hangover so far this year, in the best possible way!

Sophie Strand also brings her novel vividly to life with superb narration.

Highly recommend!







Exquisite!

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Finally a story that speaks to the deepest part of me. My entire body enlivened and opening with every word. Tears signalling and awakening truth, pain and so much beauty. Thank you

My entire body was listening

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