Publisher:Penguin BooksSubject: Religious fiction
Publication Date:July 2002
Paperback: 384 pages
What would happen if the Virgin Mary appeared on your doorstep? Would you invite her to stay for lunch?"
Reading this exciting and unique blurb on the back of this book made me reach for my purse at the bookshop.
However, the interaction of Mary with the narrator wasn't as exciting or as revealing as I hoped. But, if you're like me, and you revel in facts, figures and history, this book is right up your alley.
The author, who obviously enjoys making encyclopedic lists, has used a large chunk of the book to describe the lives of Saints, the different appearances that Mary has made on earth and other Catholic trivia. In all fairness to her, I will admit that I learned a lot and enjoyed the process, too. For instance, I didn't know that St. Catherine of Sienna used to frequently suck the pus of lepers! I am sure you didn't either! :)
It is amazing how Mary, who is hardly mentioned more than 8 times in the Bible, has such a large following worldwide. Why are people so drawn to Mary? Do women relate to her because she's a woman? Do parents relate to her because she had a child too? Do children relate to her because she is a mother? I am not sure what her popularity is due to, and the book didn't answer that for me.
13 comments:
I've had this on Mt. TBR for a few years. I've been eager to read it and yet it keeps slidding down the mountain. You've inspired me to move it back up - although it will be a while before I can get to it (pending book reviews take precidence I'm afraid).
i was so intrigues by "the song of bernadette" as a child. the idea that something so divine as a visit from the virgin mary to an ordinary girl fired my imagination. maybe it's because "she" appears to common people? i don't know.
I'd invite the Virgin Mary in for lunch, tell her my problems and of course, by then, she'd have to stay the night.
love
Hi, Janelle!
Actually this is one of my older reads, but because I haven't been reading as I should lately, I thought I'd post this older review...
I so look forward to reading your book reviews - you do such a great job!
Hallo Melissa!
You've got a point - I can easily see how her "apearances" would cause people to be fascinated with her - also, many a miracle has been attributed to her, so perhaps that's a draw as well. I am so fascinated with Catholic folk art - I LOVE pictures of the saints and the different "Our Ladies". Our Lady of Guadelope is my personal favorite!
Hi, Susan! :)
And after she stays the night you can write a book about the experience! ;)
I read this book a couple years ago, and really was left wishing for...oh, I dont' know...something different. I actually barely remember the book now! Weird.
"Our Lady of the Lost and Found" sounds a lot like the "santeria" (popular Catholicism mixed with African Yoruba religion) in the Caribbean where the saints and the virgin take on very earthy qualities. But the read wasn't as good as the title, huh?
Are you like me and loved Da Vinci Code for the facts? I can't wait until the movie comes out!
Angela, hi and thanks for stopping by. I must be the only person in the world not to have read the "Da Vinci Code" :) But, yes, I am looking forward to the movie for sure!
I never fail to read your Blog as I know that we lke the same books.
I have bought many of the books you review and love them.
I am going out to buy "Our Lady of the Lost and Found" today.
Ido hope you return to reading new books. I love the thought out your creative writing class for I know you are full of wonderful ideas
Lotus, Thanks for the nice comments about my blog. This sounds like an interesting book, but since my list is so endlessly long (liked Janelle's Mt. TBR!) it may be a long while until I get to it.
Well, you've got me reading once again. These past few weeks have been so empty for me. Now I am reading "Our Lady of the Lost and found".What an encourgement you are to me. I hope to be able to give you my comment on this book, minus a few misspelled words.lol
Also I have begun to write my poetry again which once meant so much to me. Thanks Lotus
Sorry hit the wrong key, Anonymous is me. Melanie
Goodness, Melanie! I didn't know you wrote poetry? I would love to see some of your work whenever you feel like sharing!!!
Thanks for writing in; can't wait to hear what you think of "Our Lady of Lost and Found".
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