A beautifully written story with themes of love, self worth and dementia. The words will pull you into Mary's world and her into your heart.

Okay, so this is basically a book about someone taking mental health and "demons" as a veil where he can do whatever he wants behind.
The writing style was really engaging, and kept me distracted enough, but the story takes a big no, there's a difference between poor life choices and just picking the wrong path on every turn!!
The whole doing-every-sin-possible and then returning to the path of God is just poorly done, the dose of debauchery and wrong doing the author used turned it from compelling and unforgettable to just plain mess.
Wasn't a fan.
* I received an ARC of this book through netgalley and the publisher in exchange of an honest review*

This is the first book I have read by this author and I must say she is an amazing writer. The story of Mary Magdalene was told in a way I’ve never seen before. It was amazing to see changing and progressing throughout the book.

A stunning and heartbreaking story.
Many thanks to Jess, Mo’ Books and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Deep,y moving and often troubling, this book shines a spotlight on the lived experience of a person living with mental illness. The author treads a sensitive line in presenting some harsh truths in a way which does not detract from the pace of the story itself.

My name is Mary magdalene by J.C. Miller.
Plagued by a lifelong curse of mental illness, Mary Magdalene finds herself spending her golden years in a mental asylum. Her once zealous life becomes minimized to an endless routine of over-stimulating antipsychotic drugs. That is until Salmone Abrams, a hidden jewel from her past, resurfaces and helps her remember who she once was—The Queen of Harlem. Madame Mary Mags.
A beautiful read. Sensitive but I couldn't put it down. 5*.

This is a very alluring narrative! I'm NOT so sure I can say I enjoyed it but I was mesmerized by it. "Not enjoyed" because who would want to have a life of degradation brought on by family circumstances and/or poor choices? Who would want the struggle and battle with bi-polar issues and depression?

As I swung through the smorgasbord of trials and troubles and injustices of incest and rape that Mary Magdalene (Mags) and others endured, I can see how she'd have 'demons' that plagued her and one can see, but not necessarily agree with, why she turned to drink and more, to dull the nightmarish memories. It was all so graphic, that I had to check more than once, "was this fiction or non-fiction?" By-the-way, parental guidance may be needed with this one.

To realize that this faith-based story is actually fiction, took time to sink in. I believe that it is commentary very close to truth and many people live lives propelled by lust, greed, pursuit of wealth and so on in such ways that 'demons' really do 'haunt' them such as the main character, Miss Mary Mags, encountered.

I did enjoy meeting other allegorical Bible characters such as Sal (short for Salmon) and Rahab; to mention two of them. There's a Character Glossary at the end of the book that will lead you to their person in the Bible.

On a positive note, those who suffer from depression, bi-polar or other mental illnesses, will relate well to Mag's story and strength, I believe, and like Mags, find hope and comfort in how she eventually coped and overcame the abject traumas of her life.

Besides Jesus being able to help us, one of the addenda, which is a resource list of places (USA but likely similar in other countries) a person and/or family member relative of one with such mental health issues, can find help and assistance. It is not something to be ashamed of nor to keep secret. There is help available and you can get correct treatment.

~Eunice C., Reviewer/Blogger~

December 2021

Disclaimer: This is my honest opinion based on the reivew copy sent by NetGalley and the publisher.