The Madonna Secret

By: Sophie Strand

Narrated by: Sophie Strand

• Reroots Mary Magdalene and Jesus in the lush ecology and complex spiritual culture of Second Temple Period Judea and Galilee under Roman rule

• Rewilds the Gospels with the forgotten voices of defiant and oppressed women, the nature-based storytelling of oral communities, and the embodied eroticism of a lovable rabbi with appetites and desires, doubts and shame, and a playful sense of humor

• Retells a familiar narrative informed by extensive research in botany and ecology, scriptural analysis, feminist studies, and the mythic traditions of the Mediterranean

When Leukas, a Christian convert, ventures into the wilds of Gaul to receive the hidden teachings from Mary Magdalene before she dies, he discovers that hidden within the Gospels he thinks he knows is an epic love story—between an educated Jewish woman overwhelmed by her mysterious spiritual powers and a sensual magician devoted to the wisdom of the earth. The secrets she will reveal are both more shocking and more tragic than anything listeners have encountered before.

Beginning with Miriam’s childhood as a member of a wealthy Jewish family living outside of Bethany, we see her struggles as a young woman with spiritual curiosity and intellectual aspirations that drive her to combat the violence of Empire and the sexism of her own culture. Propelled by mystic visions, Miriam is finally drawn into the wilds of Galilee, where her destiny collides with a mischievous rabbi who will change her and the world forever. Trapped in a mythic story unfolding in events around them, the lovers strive not to repeat a tragedy older than the pyramids.

In The Madonna Secret, Sophie Strand resurrects a richly textured world where complex characters reveal the lived reality of scripture and open familiar sayings to radical new meanings and possibilities.

©2023 Sophie Strand. All Rights Reserved (P)2023 Inner Traditions Audio. All Rights Reserved.

Incredible!

I could not stop listening. Thank you for this potent body of work and heart and soul.

Profound message of Reality

The beautifully woven truth of the power and strength of the agony and glory of women

A feast

I just finished this book and feel forever changed. I don’t have words to describe the masterful weaving of history and it’s rich perfumes Strand evokes on every page. It is drenched with life and I am grateful to have partaken. Thank you Sophie!!!

Magnificent, Wise, Inspiring

The Madonna Secret contains a living, breathing world that I never wanted to leave. I loved meeting Mary Magdalene in her fullness — a complex, wise mystic with a deep connection to wilderness and the divine. This book is a stunning exploration of love, healing, and the power of women — especially through their connection to the wild world.

I am forever changed after this book. I will never look at familiar stories and one-dimensional female characters in history without wondering what aspects of their aliveness have been sterilized from the story.

I highly recommend this book for anyone, whether you’re a religious scholar, a philosopher, someone seeking a great love story, or someone who wants to access your own wisdom and magic.

Lands in the body solidly, like a truth

This is a beautiful, poetic telling of a story whose time has come. Best received when emerged in nature.

A subtle internal rearranging

What a pleasure to hear words that subtly rearrange my body and soul in the most needed and magical ways. I adore this needed offering and the creatively read audio version.

a true gift to the world

this is the kind of book you read paperback and get on audiobook before you even finish- it’s that good and you’ll want to read it again and again. this is a door-opening book, a transformational journey, and if you read it and invite Miriam into your life, she will show up. a million thank yous to the author and all who made it possible for this gift of a story to be shared with the world.

Mixed Feelings

Overall I enjoyed listening and giving my attention over to the time period, the story, and the characters. However the story as it was told didn’t resonate in several places. My most significant criticism is over the portrayal of and the voice given to the Mother Miriam. I almost needed to stop listening when I came to the moment when she was present. To me the mother is an archetype of compassion and patience that I don’t feel was captured in this telling. However, the way we see things through our own lenses is the beauty of being humans. I greatly respect the level of care the author put into this creation.

Incredible story and delivery

I couldn’t stop listening once I started. Mesmerizing from start to finish, this book begs us to remember all that we already know. I feel so connected to the hearts of all women, future and past, after reading it. Thank you, Sophie, for this creation. I was absolutely moved by it.

Other worldly

Do yourself a favor and open yourself to this divinity. Awaken to love, and transform.