Mary: A Flesh-and-Blood Biography of the Virgin Mother

Description

Arguably the most influential of all women throughout history, Mary, the Virgin Mother is also, paradoxically, the least known. In this unprecedented brilliantly wrought biography, Mary comes believably to life.

We are so used to the legendary image of the Madonna that the very idea of her as a real person sets the eyes alight. Starting with the dark-skinned, hard-muscled girl barely out of adolescence when she gave birth, Lesley Hazleton weaves together the many facets of Mary s existence: peasant villager, wise woman and healer, activist, mother, teacher, and yes, virgin, though in a sense we have long forgotten. She follows her through the worst any mother can experience-the excruciating death of her child-and then looks at how she transforms grief into wisdom, disaster into renewal. Strong and courageous, the source of her son s powers of healing and wisdom, the Mary we see here did not merely assent to her role in history, but actively chose it, and lived it to the fullest.

As a former psychologist and political reporter with deep roots in both Judaism and Catholicism, Hazleton has drawn on years of Middle East experience as well as on anthropology, history, theology, and above all, empathy to reconstruct Mary s life. The woman she discovers is neither demystified nor diminished, but on the contrary, all the more meaningful and admirable. By honoring her reality, Hazleton has given her back to herself-and to us.

This unusual biography blends imagination and fact in an exquisitely told tale about the most reveled and admired woman of Christianity. Hazleton has been criticized for blurring the lines between research and fiction. (It s true--she does.) Nonetheless, she weaves an outstanding interpretation of this Palestinian girl, who probably went by the name of Maryam and gave birth to "the son of God" at the age of 13. At times Hazleton s style seems similar to that of Anita Diamant in The Red Tent-—fully imagining the everyday feminine details of biblical women: "Maryam learned early about childbirth. Since she was young, her grandmother has taken her along whenever there s a delivery. The old woman is in her fifties, but as alert and sharp as any shepherd girl; like all village wise women, she seems to defy age. Her name? The same as the midwife of apocryphal legend: Salome." Hazleton goes on to depict Maryam as an astute apprentice, mixing herbs and learning the craft of healing and midwifery from her legendary grandmother. Hazleton assumes that Maryam was a gifted faith healer and member of a resistance movement against King Herod--gifts and values that were obviously passed onto her son. She also offers a compelling discussion into the identity of Joseph, even questioning his existence. Hazleton sees him as a vague father-figure for Mary, more so than a father to Jesus. The main reason he exists in the Bible, she speculates, is to establish Jesus as a descendent of Kind David. Though purists and fundamentalists may cry blasphemy, many modern readers will find this a refreshingly feminine and respectful life study of a cherished woman, mother and icon. --Gail Hudson