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The Testament of Mary
The Testament of Mary: A Novel | Colm Toibin
19 posts | 42 read | 23 to read
“Tóibín is at his lyrical best in this beautiful and daring work” (The New York Times Book Review) that portrays Mary as a solitary older woman still seeking to understand the events that become the narrative of the New Testament and the foundation of Christianity—shortlisted for the 2013 Man Booker Prize.In the ancient town of Ephesus, Mary lives alone, years after her son’s crucifixion. She has no interest in collaborating with the authors of the Gospel, who are her keepers. She does not agree that her son is the Son of God; nor that his death was “worth it”; nor that the “group of misfits he gathered around him, men who could not look a woman in the eye,” were holy disciples. Mary judges herself ruthlessly (she did not stay at the foot of the cross until her son died—she fled, to save herself), and her judgment of others is equally harsh. This woman whom we know from centuries of paintings and scripture as the docile, loving, silent, long-suffering, obedient, worshipful mother of Christ becomes a tragic heroine with the relentless eloquence of Electra or Medea or Antigone. Tóibín’s tour de force of imagination and language is a portrait so vivid and convincing that our image of Mary will be forever transformed.
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Kazzie
Pickpick

He‘s a masterful writer. I liked the honest female perspective (surprising, but also not, from this male author). I liked that Jesus‘s name is never said.

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jenniferw88
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Naj
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Pickpick

3/5
On the fence about this one but going for a 'pick' because it is well written and thought provoking. Mary here is bitter and sceptic, detached from her son, grieving his death, and not ready to believe that he is the son of God. So look away if you're not comfortable reading that because there really isn't much else in this novella. I liked the idea and the writing in certain parts is vivid and rousing. 👇

Naj My only complaint is that it's just a one-note account of a grieving mother without much depth or nuance, except at the very end. Mary's personality apart from her scepticism is non-existent. I wanted a longer book and some more drama. 5y
23 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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Lauredhel
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Seems like the day for it.

Suet624 I loved this book. 5y
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Lola
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Beautiful imagining of The Book of Mary, narrated by Meryl Streep, is the Audible Daily Deal at less than two bucks. I listened to this years ago during Holy Week and thought it was excellent. https://mobile.audible.com/pd/Fiction/The-Testament-of-Mary-Audiobook/B00EHOT1MS...

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CarolynM
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#HeyJune #LadyMadonna

I wasn't sure what to make of this novel. It read to me as though Mary didn't really know her son. Maybe that was the point?

Cinfhen I‘m intrigued!! And only 80 pages 6y
CarolynM @Cinfhen Yes, it's very short. I didn't think there was much substance, but I'm not Catholic so I might have missed some relevant hints or connections. 6y
Cathythoughts Great cover 6y
Aimeesue Def part of the point. Along with "history is used to present a particular viewpoint, whether or not it reflects things as they actually happened." 6y
Crazeedi I've read 2 of his books, not sure if I like him 6y
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Lindy
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About to see a theatre adaptation of a novel I enjoyed very much. 😀

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LibrarianRenee
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juliannebenford
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Three books down, this is what remains of my #sbksept TBR. I'm not sure what mood I'm in - what do you think I should read next?

If you'd like to join me reading short books this month, it's not too late to sign up: http://www.betterthandreams.com/2017/08/the-short-short-books-reading-challenge/

RaimeyGallant I like the title of The Voices of Silence. Makes me curious. 7y
12 likes1 comment
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SaraBeagle
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Whoever came up with the idea to have Meryl Streep narrate this is brilliant! Today's commute wasn't so bad 😀

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BarbaraBB
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Mehso-so

I liked the ingredients of the book, its originality and its suspense. In the end, however, I felt a bit disappointed. The beginning is so strong, the end couldn't match my expectations I think. #Booker #manbooker

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LaviniaG
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Pickpick

Finished reading this wonderful novella for my book club. It's my second reading and I thought it would leave me less impressed this time, but I was wrong. The last 20 pages at least, are pure brilliance: so soft, so touching, so raw my heart aches.

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CoveredInRust
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Pickpick

This book is beautiful. Tobin's storytelling style is masterful and heartbreaking. I 100% recommend this to anyone. Also, the audiobook is read by Meryl Streep and it's flawless.

CouronneDhiver Oh that's cool. I like Meryl. 7y
25 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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Iindseyo
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Mehso-so

I'm not sure I would have picked this up if I hadn't noticed that Meryl Streep was the narrator (and she's fantastic, as always). I would have a hard time saying I liked this novella although it's certainly well written and I appreciated this version of Mary as a mother hardened by grief who cannot suffer the apostles foolishness and believes her sons death was not worth it. Recommend on audio.

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Spiderfelt
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Pickpick

Yet another quiet book, reflective of an inner world which has to endure despite great suffering. How does a mother process her grief when those around her tell her she does not know or understand the son she raised? Who is this man, grown from a baby dependent on her for everything who suddenly refuses to follow or even acknowledge her?

This story was particularly memorable because of Meryl Streep's dramatic performance. #audiobook

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LaurieReads
Pickpick

This was a haunting, alternate view of the Jesus story as told by his mother Mary. It was only 72 pages long, so it can be read in an hour or so. The writing was tight, telling a full story with sparse words. I will be bothered for a long time after reading this. Two thumbs up.

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triskeleseeker
Pickpick

Audio read by Meryl Streep is amazing.