The Secret Magdalene

MARY MAGDALENE is the subject of a recent rash of books and television documentaries. All over the world, men and women are questioning what has gone unquestioned for hundreds of years. Who, and what, was Mary Magdalene?

In all this clamor, why another book?

Ki Longfellow's novel, The Secret Magdalene, tells of a Magdalene who was not only the Beloved Disciple of Jesus, but was also "THE WOMAN WHO KNEW THE ALL"—the "mystery" behind the Mystery Teaching.

Available from Crown/Random House, Publisher
or your local bookstore.

Praise for "The Secret Magdalene"

"...a beautiful book...the writing compelling."— Elaine Pagels , the Harrington Spear Paine Professor of Religion at Princeton University and author of "The Gnostic Gospels," "The Gnostic Paul," and "Beyond Belief," amongst others.

Book of the Month Club's review..."Philosopher, teacher, adviser, prophet—this is the Mary Magdalene that is brought vividly to life in this gorgeously written novel."

"It may not be too much to say that Mariamne herself is one of the most perfectly crafted figures in modern fiction, which makes it no surprise that so many readers have taken to her so emotionally. She will no doubt eclipse all other representations of Mary Magdalene for some time." "I take The Secret Magdalene as symbolism, and as such it enriches and exhilarates me, it nourishes my optimism and further washes away any fear of the unknown."— Earl Doherty, author of The Jesus Puzzle

(Read the entire review by Earl Doherty: "A Magdalene Triptych," a three-part book review of "The Da Vinci Code" (Dan Brown), "The Da Vinci Fraud" (Robert M. Price), and "The Secret Magdalene" (Ki Longfellow) on his influential website " The Jesus Puzzle.")

Endorsed by Magdalene.org , the oldest and largest Mary Magdalene site on the Internet. Lesa Bellevie, site founder and author, says: "Ki Longfellow has achieved, in my opinion, the best Mary Magdalene novel ever written."

"The Secret Magdalene continues the great Gnostic tradition of exploring mystical truths through the power of story. From its striking opening lines onwards it addresses deep perennial questions about the human predicament and the quest for Gnosis. Imaginative, well-researched and full of profound wisdom, this wonderful book brings the ancient world to life."—Timothy Freke, co-author with Peter Gandy of "The Jesus Mysteries," "Jesus and the Lost Goddess," and "The Laughing Jesus." Timothy, himself, has just published "Lucid Living."

"This is a beautifully written book, immaculately researched. I have never seen a novel with a bibliography before. The prose is rather like poetry and yet very easy to read and the story is compelling. It moved me to tears towards the end and I felt if this is not how it was, it is certainly how it should have been." —BookCrossing.com

"Highly original and highly engaging, The Secret Magdalene is a sweeping yet intimate tale, an emotional and intellectual journey that questions everything, including the real nature of Jesus." - India Edghill , author of Wisdom's Daughter

"In The Secret Magdalene Ki Longfellow portrays Jesus and Mary Magdalene of the Gnostic Gospel tradition—two great teachers whose friendship blossoms within the political turmoil of first century Palestine. What The DaVinci Code only hinted at, Longfellow brings to life." — Rebecca Kohn , author of The Gilded Chamber

Utajená Magdalena
Publisher: Knizi Klub Czech rights 2007

SELECTED REVIEWS FROM SPAIN

GACETA INTERNACIONAL

A novel of quality without precedent, which is well worth reading with attention and a 'cool head' because it gives important information which, deliberately hidden during almost 2000 years, could awaken profound doubts in the beliefs of the reader, and reveal the shameless attitude of the Catholic church, who, with the Vatican atits head, manipulated the documented story of Jesus Christ and the foundation and theory which has sustained Christianity since its birth (or invention?) until our present time. Read it!

"MISCELANEA LITERARIA"

"...She who earned the right to become "the most beloved apostle," relates her life in a novel which is emotional, captivating and filled with humanity."

“QUE PASA” MAGAZINE

The History of a Forbidden Woman.

Dan Brown’s “The Da Vinci Code” opened up a Pandora’s box about the true dimensions of the figure of Mary Magdalene. Now, author Ki Longfellow uncovers the best-kept secrets of the Vatican. Protrayed by the Church as the redeemed sinner, but whom many diverse texts have accorded a great relevance in the origins of Christianity, the Magdalene was the Privileged Disciple. Longfellow, author of “China Blues” and “Chasing Women,” published this historical novel after years of research and gives voice to Mary Magdalene herself, who narrates her own story. She was not a vulgar prostitute, according to her scrolls, but rather a woman of unparalleled wisdom, as well as the companion of Jesus. The author bases her theory in the discovery of a text that could be the evangelical testament of Mary and affirms that this woman was the most privileged of Jesus’ disciples and precursor of the Gnostic evangelism who was persecuted in later years by the Church and from which Cathars would later derive their teachings.

The author considers “The Secret Magdalene” an act of historical justice for a figure who has been silenced by centuries because she was a woman.

JOURNAL.COM

"The Secret Magdalene"

Author Ki Longfellow offers us an astonishingly real portrait of one of Christianity’s most controversial figures. The book was edited in Spain by Factoria de Ideas.

From forgiven sinner to leader of the first Christians, from prostitute to “Knower of All,” the Church relegated Mary Magdalene to a secondary place in history. Now, with the scrolls of Nag Hammadi, we can know what really happened. The “most beloved disciple” reveals herself with all the splendor of her true form, in a captivating, emotional novel full of humanity. “The Secret Magdalene” is a definitive portrait of one of Christianity’s most controversial figures.

Called "The Woman who knew the All" by recently discovered Gnostic gospels, what can we know if we do not know what "knowing the all" actually means? In the scramble for fact and for detail, we seem to have lost sight of Meaning. What did Christ teach? Aside from who she truly was, what did the Magdalene know? Why do the Gnostic Gospels and certain influential writers of two thousand years ago call her "a priest," and "the leader of a sect"?

This is the heart of The Secret Magdalene...a tale of the search for GNOSIS. Not gnosticism as it was practiced a hundred and more years after her time: complex and reactive, but as it was then in those first pure moments—the simple, sweet, personal, and direct experience of God.

The Temple Mount, Fortress of Antonia, and Upper City of Jerusalem in the time of Jesus and Mary Magdalene.