Mary: A Flesh-and-Blood Biography of the Virgin Mother

This unusual biography blends imagination and fact in an exquisitely told tale about the most reveled and admired woman of Christianity. Hazleton has been criticized for blurring the lines between research and fiction. (It's true--she does.) Nonetheless, she weaves an outstanding interpretation of this Palestinian girl, who probably went by the name of Maryam and gave birth to "the son of God" at the age of 13. At times Hazleton's style seems similar to that of Anita Diamant in The Red Tent-—fully imagining the everyday feminine details of biblical women: "Maryam learned early about childbirth. Since she was young, her grandmother has taken her along whenever there's a delivery. The old woman is in her fifties, but as alert and sharp as any shepherd girl; like all village wise women, she seems to defy age. Her name? The same as the midwife of apocryphal legend: Salome." Hazleton goes on to depict Maryam as an astute apprentice, mixing herbs and learning the craft of healing and midwifery from her legendary grandmother. Hazleton assumes that Maryam was a gifted faith healer and member of a resistance movement against King Herod--gifts and values that were obviously passed onto her son. She also offers a compelling discussion into the identity of Joseph, even questioning his existence. Hazleton sees him as a vague father-figure for Mary, more so than a father to Jesus. The main reason he exists in the Bible, she speculates, is to establish Jesus as a descendent of Kind David. Though purists and fundamentalists may cry blasphemy, many modern readers will find this a refreshingly feminine and respectful life study of a cherished woman, mother and icon. --Gail Hudson