Flow Down Like Silver: Hypatia of Alexandria by Ki Longfellow

 

I literally just finished the new book by Ki Longfellow called Flow Down Like Silver which is the story of Hypatia of Alexandria.  All as I can say is WOW.  I cannot describe to you the beauty that is this book.  It is absolutely the best historical novel I have ever read.  I have spent every spare moment reading Flow Down Like Silver since it arrived in the mail from Amazon.com.  I was on the edge of my seat not just because the story was so enticing, but because I came to love Hypatia and her family as if they were dear friends.  Ms. Longfellow has created a timeless work that brings people from ancient Alexandria back to life as if they exist today.   I really enjoyed The Secret Magdalene (Ms. Longfellow's last novel), but Flow Down Like Silver is even better!

 

The story is of Hypatia; philosopher, astronomer, mathematician, and Theologian, who was an amazing woman of any time period.  It details her life from the time of the fall of the Library at Alexandria until her death.  It tells her story and the story of the corrupt Christian church as it swept through the world destroying that which it feared.  Hypatia becomes a voice of intelligence and reason who integrates her scientific knowledge with gnosis to bring about change in her world.  Although the church “won” by destroying books and killing who they considered heretics, Hypatia ultimately won because she spread the truth and beauty that she knew intimately.

 

I cannot recommend this book enough.  In my view this is the best book I have read this year and possibly the best book I have read in decades.   The website is at http://flowdownlikesilver.com/.

 

The Secret Magdalene by Ki Longfellow

The Secret Magdalene by Ki Longfellow is the first book of fiction that I have included in our recommended reading list.  That's because it is the first work of fiction that I have found that is both well written and does justice to gnostic beliefs.  Don't get me wrong... I love reading fiction and believe there are a number of great authors out there.  But, Ms. Longfellow's novel is the first I have found that I can truly call Gnostic.

The Secret Magdalene is Mary's story from her perspective as she travels from being a girl in a relatively well-to-do home to her time with Yeshu (the spelling in the book) and beyond.  The story may not fit traditional Christian views of Jesus' life nor may it fit exactly into any particular gnostic tradition, but it is a fascinating story that keeps you reading.  There is so much going on in the novel that you will be hard

pressed to put it down once you start it. 

Ms. Longfellow has done a beautiful job of merging history, spirituality, and fiction into this captivating novel.  It will quickly become a classic that will be enjoyed by any who love good fiction or who are interested in Gnosticism.  The gnostic themes are handled very well and explained in such a way that even someone not familiar with a gnostic tradition can understand them.

From a Sophian Gnostic perspective, the book does not follow our legends of Mary or Yeshua's life, but that is irrelevant as the theology behind the book is extremely compatible with our tradition.  Yeshu even states that creation is an outpouring of the Father and Mother (a very kabbalistic interpretation).  One of my favorite passages is a discussion between one of the Disciples and Yeshua about the Demiurge.  Ms. Longfellow does a great job of comparing and contrasting the different views among gnostic sects.

The Secret Magdalene is a book I recommend to everyone.  Order a copy on-line and you will be very glad you did.   The website is at http://www.thesecretmagdalene.com/home.html.