Books like The Secret Magdalene by Ki Longfellow

Raised together with privilege and education in Jerusalem, Mariamne and her sister Salome experience unique roles uncommon to women of their time. Mariamne’s illness grants her prophetic visions, which spur the sisters to flee to Egypt. There, they immerse themselves in philosophy, mathematics, and astronomy at the Great Library of Alexandria, enriching their intellectual horizons for seven years. Returning to a Judea where John the Baptist’s reputation grows, Salome begins to believe in the burgeoning movement, while Mariamne—now called Magdalene—draws close to Yeshu'a, a divinely touched contemporary. Their shared spiritual encounters lead them to confront the rising fame of Yeshu'a as a healer, challenging their convictions and forcing them to make difficult choices. This novel revisits the biblical narrative, portraying Mary Magdalene not as a marginal figure but as an educated, prophetic apostle who fully engages with the transformative events of the era.

First publish date: 2005