The Testament of Mary

"A heartfelt, powerful work."--Sam Sacks "The Wall Street Journal "

"Dramatic and poetic...A powerful, devastating story."--Ron Charles "The Washington Post "

"A deeply, if at times painfully, human portrait of Mary, tearing asunder the robes of red and blue that envelop her in paintings and sculptures."--Michael O'Loughlin "America magazine "

"[A] monumental achievement...equally powerful and poignant whether it's read by one who espouses or eschews the New Testament...A tender, soul-rending exploration of a mother's mourning; a searing, stunning work."--Leyla Sanai "The Independent (UK) "

"There is a profound ache throughout this little character study, a steely determination coupled with an unbearable loss. Although it has some insightful things to say about religion and the period--the descriptions of the Crucifixion are visceral--it has a universal message about the nature of loss. 'I can tell you now, when you say he redeemed the world, I will say that it was not worth it. It was not worth it.'"--Stuart Kelly "Scotland on Sunday "

"This novel is the Virgin's version of the life of Christ. After a lifetime listening to everyone else's versions of that life, she is angry and frustrated because they are all questionable."--John Spain "Irish Independent "

"A flawless work, touching, moving and terrifying..."--Linda Grant "The New Statesman (UK) "

"Lovely, understated and powerfully sad, The Testament of Mary finally gives the mother of Jesus a chance to speak. And, given that chance, she throws aside the blue veil of the Madonna to become wholly, gloriously human."--Annalisa Quinn "NPR "

"A slim, grave, exquisitely emotional book...The Testament of Mary is a spellbinding, surprisingly reverent book."--Jeff Giles "Entertainment Weekly "

"Tóibín is at his lyrical best in The Testament of Mary, a beautiful and daring work...it takes its power from the surprises of its language, its almost shocking characterization, its austere refusal of consolation."--Mary Gordon "The New York Times Book Review "