The Book of Mary by Gail Sidonie Sobat is a book that I recently read. While the Book of Mary is a light hearted work of fiction, in many ways it may be nearer the truth of the story of Mary of Nazareth. Regardless of whether you take it as truth, or as irreverant fiction ( as the author describes it), it is a thought provoking read. It asks the reader what is important in the story of Mary? The story so often overlooked by Protestants who focus only on a son (the one and only we are unsure). While I am not sure how much of the Book of Mary I genuinely believe, I am struck by how much of it does not make much of a difference. Changing parts of the story does not change my faith, mainly because I do not take the bible literally. For some this book would be considered blasphemy and should be censored, but then I wonder what would that say about our faith? That faith can only exist within a certain area of parameters? That the facts of the story are more important than the moral of the story itself? I certainly hope not.
In any case I strongly recommend picking up this book, and letting it question you. Or, at the very least, enjoy a work of fiction that is set in biblical times.