Author promotes ‘The Passion of Mary Magdalen'

Sugar Loaf — Mary Magdalene, the most provocative woman in the Gospels, makes only a few, dramatic appearances. “The Passion of Mary Magdalen,” a forthcoming novel by Elizabeth Cunningham to be released in April 2006 by Monkfish Book Publishing Company, will add a controversial note. Cunningham’s Maeve is a feisty, outspoken Celtic Mary Magdalen. No one’s disciple, she is lover, bard, priestess, healer who incarnates the divine mystery of love, in the flesh. In this central novel of The Maeve Chronicles, Cunningham offers a Mary Magdalen who defies all stereotypes. “Written in a wild, breakneck fashion, Cunningham’s novel is sure to be controversial, but will be snatched up by Magdalene fans, Celtphiles, feminists, and readers who love a good yarn,” wrote Patricia Monaghan in a Booklist review on Feb. 1, 2006. “Elizabeth Cunningham’s novel offers us an analysis of how we understand the relationship between the feminine and the divine, and points ways forward to healing what has typically been the dichotomy between the two,” commented Bruce Chilton, author of “Rabbi Jesus.” “In this Mary we get a woman we can believe in, a woman we want to know, a woman we celebrate and care about. ‘The Passion of Mary Magdalen’ is aptly named, on all levels,” wrote Rachel Pollack. Cunningham will promote her new book at 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 2, at Heavenly Sense at 1371b Kings Highway, Romer’s Alley in Sugar Loaf. A hardcopy of the novel will be available for $29.95. For more information, call 417-8811, email LWoz@frontiernet.net or visit www.passionofmarymagdalen.com.