There's Something about Mary

Magdalene, that is. In this week's New Yorker, a lengthy fact piece by Joan Acocella traces the 2,000 year obsession about the prostitute "who washed Christ's feet with her tears."

It's one of those stories The New Yorker does so well by combining research, including a microscopic scan of the literature, past and current, on the subject, and stylish writing that produces an indelible impression. We read them, whether or not the subject interests us, because of what we learn. Among my favorite factoids about Mary Magdalene:

"She was chosen as the patron saint not just of barrelmakers and gardeners but also of glovemakers, perfume manufacturers, and hairdressers—in other words, the purveyors of all those fripperies which led her to her fall. (She also became the patroness of prostitutes. In [the French city of] Beaucaire, on her saint’s day, the local whores ran a race in her honor.)"

Also in this early online look:

• A Web-only companion Q&A with Steve Coll, former Washington Post managing editor turned NYer staff writer, who writes on relations between India and Pakistan.
• Malcolm Gladwell with, as always, a provocative take, this time on homelessness.
• Paul Rudnick's appreciation on playwright Wendy Wasserstein, who died, too young, last week
• For "24" addicts, a Nancy Franklin review
• a Jeffrey Goldberg profile of Bush speechwriter Michael Gerson

The week's other contributors, clustered behind Eustace Tilley's firewall, make this anniversary issue one you'll probably want to read in print so you don't miss any of the other good stuff: James B. Stewart, Susan Orlean, Nora Ephron and Adam Gopnik. And remember: the links disappear next Sunday night.

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