Publisher's Synopsis
The women of Corinth are out of control... MARY MAGDALENE UNLEASHED. Gita, Edda, Bible - world creation myths co-exist with sardonic humor, subversive wit. What if... Mary Magdalene dances ecstatically at her Corinthian temple cult, accepting all deities? The Creator is well-meaning but inept? His eternal Foe is a PR savvy conman? Mother Mary adores the Three Norns and Wyrd? And Ransom, the ever-young, ever curious Savior, would rather be galactic skating? This spoof gospel belies its underlying arcane wisdom. The cosmic battle between good and evil, revealed in Sister Verity's polyphonic vision of Magdalene, romps along in highly readable free verse. All is Folly, save Love... 2 REVIEWS from STAR*LINE, Science Fiction Poetry Association, 2016. I disagree with readers who feel that this book is a "send-up" of an earlier book, The Fifth Gospel, which reputedly chronicles Jesus' adventures in India and mittel-Asia post-Easter. Rather-although it does draw from this source, quite obviously-this Fifth Gospel is more of a feminist/goddess perspective on the relationship of Jesus Christ and Mary Magdalene ... I think. I enjoyed this book and its musings on many religious traditions, and recommend it not only for those for whom this type of subject matter would appeal, but also to those who like a little science fiction with their mythology. For example, here are a few lines from "Genesis 102"; bear in mind that "Jesus" is never mentioned by name: anyway in deep space no one's got your number so Blessed can slumber eternally. In case there were any doubts about this being a science fiction collection, star stuff is mentioned in nearly every poem, along with the comparative-religion lesson, of course, as in "Soma," which begins with an epigraph from the Bhagavad-Gita about the origin of the mysterious drug elixir called Soma, an epigraph that this poem echoes: On Planet Telluria, a silver river flows sowing Soma Bringer of Light Awakener of Minds Creator of the Gods and around this gift they build a temple where the wise guide ritual drinking cure the ill teach the dying they are homecoming But "Blessed" and Mary of Magdala are not the only folks in the story; no, there's a fellow named "Moria" who bears a resemblance to the fellow in the Rolling Stones' song "Please Allow Me to Introduce Myself": So with other characters such as Mary-Cybele (look up Cybele, dudes!) and "Job, lawyer for the prosecution" you know that tongue is firmly in cheek, yet at the same time there is tenderness and even seriousness here, as well as an attempt to tie together differing mythologies that have ideas in common. If narrative poetry and especially sacred narrative poetry is of interest to you as well as science fiction, you will like this book. I did. Maybe not everyone's cup of Soma, but it worked for me. -Denise Dumars * * * The idea that women played a more important role in early and continuing Christianity than has been preserved for posterity has always seemed plausible. And in the absence of actual historical evidence, I've enjoyed writer's flights of fancy. Plus it is a satirical novel in verse! It emulates a canonical gospel, but this version deviates significantly. Characters include such satirical figures as the Galactic Skater and the Eternal Conman. Pontius Pilate is the Law and Order expert, Peter is the leader of the Gang of Four and Blessed-Be-It is the innocently inept Creator. The narrative incorporates elements from several other cultures, most notably Indian. The cult of Wyrd also plays an important role. This book is not for the religious without a sense of humor. It's irreverent. The language of the poetry is colloquial, so no pretensions there. There is no formality, just free satirical verse. -Diane Severson
