It takes a brave person to write about the life of the Virgin Mary, mother of Jesus. On the one hand there is the risk of incurring the wrath of those of a Catholic persuasion, who have a clear idea of ‘Our Lady’; on the other hand, Protestants may pour scorn the idea of paying so much attention to Jesus’ mother. Nevertheless, this is the task that John Hibbert has set himself in his semi-fictionalised account of Mary’s life in his book, The Virgin and the Dragon.

As well as the subject matter itself, there is the added risk of criticism, from all sides, as to the interpretation of what little we know about Mary. However, in writing this book Hibbert has shown the courage of his own convictions and has produced a thought-provoking account, full of heart-rendering emotion, spiritual faith and an awareness of the suffering that early Christians had to endure.

Much of this book could be read as social drama: What does a 16-year-old girl do when she finds herself pregnant? How does a mother react when she knows that her children are going to die? These sorts of questions could make for a Ken Loach film. And Hibbert fills in the psychology with sensitivity and depth. The realism of the story is further enhanced with detailed descriptions of the environments that provide the backdrops for a story that takes the reader around the Holy Land and into Turkey.

But on another level, The Virgin and the Dragon is an account of the establishment of a new covenant with the arrival of Jesus Christ: it shows Jesus’ early life as an ordinary young man, but one who knew that his mission on Earth was of a higher order; it evokes the magnitude of the suffering that Jesus had to endure in order to accomplish his mission. Alongside this is Mary: torn between her maternal instincts and her faith in the greater will of God.

This is an emotional book with a gripping story-line. But at its heart are insights into the world of the Virgin Mary, and into the birth of Christianity.

The best book I have read in a very long time. The life story of the virgin Mary, told as a novel but out of a deep and thorough knowledge of the biblical account and strict adherence to it; also the vast amount of research, involving much travel. This is compelling reading with vivid and extremely moving descriptions, including the beautiful love story of Mary and Joseph. The harrowing account of the crucifiction of the Lord is particularly graphic. The personalities involved with the Lord during his ministry and those who took the gospel into all the world become very real. Right from the annunciation to Mary's own death, she was aware of the dragon seeking to destroy the Christ; but it was the dragon who was finally defeated at Calvary. No one will be able to read this book without being deeply moved.

Ann Ramsdale. [JOY Magazine]