The Testament of Mary
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Average rating3.4
From inside front cover: In the ancient town of Ephesus, Mary lives in exile, years after her son's crucifixion. She has no interest in collaborating with the authors of the Gospel -- her keepers, who provide her with food and shelter and visit her regularly. ... Living alone and in fear, she tries to piece together the events that led to her son's brutal death, and judges herself ruthlessly for not remaining at the foot of the cross until her son died, for fleeing to save herself. ... In a voice that is both deeply tender and filled with bitter rage, she emerges as a woman of immense moral stature.
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Beautifully written. First thing I've ever read by Colm Tóibín a shot. Guess I have to give Brooklyn a shot!
The most beautiful and thoughtful book on people from religious life I have ever read. This is thoughtul, true and more than anything the first real representation of a Biblical person I have read. Away with the glitz, this is flesh, blodd and earthliness in a marvelous way.
The Virgin Mary spends her old age being cared for by those who followed her son, and recounts important moments in her life, primarily focusing on the crucification of her child. This story is noteworthy because any other book approaching this topic would do so with an agenda to push. This book is not trying to pull you to either side of the “God argument”, but instead tells an honest tale of a woman who loses her son, and is constantly told that his death was “worth it”. The Mary of this short novel is a very eloquent and believable character. The language chosen doesn't quite match up with the language used in the Bible, as the author (wisely) chose to modernize it just enough for the reader's sake.
