Thought-Provoking Novel Features Spiritual Struggles of the Mother of Jesus
Santa Monica, CA (PRWEB) September 24, 2007 -- As Mother Teresa's private letters have recently revealed, even the most spiritual and profoundly admired women can be plagued with doubt, and feel agonizingly alienated from God. In Loren Woodson's new novel, "The Passion of Maryam" (ISBN 1891386749, Plain View Press, 2007), Christianity's most important female figure confronts a similar crisis of faith, after she becomes pregnant from rape.
In "The Passion of Maryam," Maryam (Mary), a devout, young Galilean woman, suffers an extreme violation that shatters her trust in God. Maryam/Mary perseveres through this hardship and becomes a wife and mother, but both she and her spirit-driven firstborn, Yeshua (Jesus), are forced to live under the shadow of her rape. "The Passion of Maryam" focuses on Maryam's and Yeshua's respective spiritual journeys, each one strongly influenced by the moment of evil in her past.
Woodson's reinterpretation of the story of the virgin birth is backed by seven years of research, including consultations with numerous biblical scholars to ensure the plausibility of his story. Woodson grew up in an observant Protestant home and he hopes his crucial twist on the story of Jesus'/Yeshua's conception can be a springboard for believers to find new and fresh ways of considering the Christian narrative.
"So much of life is about how we struggle with what life presents us," Woodson says. One of the novel's major themes is the paradox of finding a deep connection with God amidst the most dismal of events--something Maryam and Yeshua are both eventually able to accomplish, despite their great doubts and suffering.
"The Passion of Maryam" paints Yeshua as a warm and charismatic, yet difficult, child, and Maryam as the quintessential mother, with determined love for her challenging firstborn. When she witnesses his crucifixion, Maryam is devastated and revisits the many layers of their complicated mother/son relationship, ultimately finding redemption. Other than the key twist, the novel's storyline follows the highlights of the traditional New Testament narrative. A compelling video book preview for "The Passion of Maryam" is now available at www.ReaderViews.com, where readers can catch a glimpse into this thought-provoking story.
About the Author
Loren Woodson resides in Santa Monica, California. He is a practicing psychiatrist and psychoanalyst, long fascinated with the intersection of the psychological, the religious, and the spiritual. Currently, he is working on a novel about Jesus and Judas.
"The Passion of Maryam" (ISBN 1891386749, Plain View Press, 2007) can be purchased through local and online bookstores. For more information, visit www.lorenwoodson.com. Publicity contact: www.ReaderViews.com. Review copies available upon request.
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