I have been thinking about how to treat this short but lovely book; what kinds of questions to ask. This book deserves more than specific questions like how many people were in the room.
The Testament of Mary by Colm Toibin 96 pages published by Scribner on November 13, 2012 ISBN-10: 1451688385
The publishers blurb reads: PROVOCATIVE, HAUNTING AND INDELIBLE, Colm Tóibín’s portrait of Mary presents her as a solitary older woman still seeking to understand the events that become the narrative of the New Testament and the foundation of Christianity. In the ancient town of Ephesus, Mary lives alone, years after her son’s crucifixion.
Before reading, take some time to think about Mary. What do you remember from the Bible, your church or what you heard from others? If you are like me, you know that the Virgin Mary was married to Joseph; delivered the "Son of God" in a manger; saw her son crucified...and then what? What happened after Jesus was born? What did Jesus do during the lost time period before he reappeared in the Bible? What happened to Joseph? Did they live happily ever after? Silly question but perhaps mother and father did live ever after if not exactly happily. Will this book answer some of my questions?
During reading: Who are the men? Why are they there? What happened to Joseph? Does she believe her son was the "Son of God"? Was she angry? Was she afraid? Was she embarrassed? Did she want to die? Did she try to save Jesus? Was all the pain and suffering worth it? Was she a Christian?
After reading: Is the story in this book different from the story in Bible? I have been thinking about Pope Benedict's latest revelations about what the Bible really says about Christmas and how we have accepted so many myths. He said that the Bible never actually mentions a manger or music etc. etc. Does it really state in the Bible that she was there to take the body because she stayed at the cross? I wonder. Perhaps I should go back and read the Bible again with new eyes. UPDATE: I actually checked out what the Bible says exactly:
25 Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.
26 When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!
27 Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.
So the author was correct in saying that she had left the cross before he died. There are many points in this book where the author has literally taken points from the Bible and then filled in the blanks with his own reasoning. I think that is valid because, after all, it is a work of fiction.
The Testament of Mary by Colm Toibin 96 pages published by Scribner on November 13, 2012 ISBN-10: 1451688385
The publishers blurb reads: PROVOCATIVE, HAUNTING AND INDELIBLE, Colm Tóibín’s portrait of Mary presents her as a solitary older woman still seeking to understand the events that become the narrative of the New Testament and the foundation of Christianity. In the ancient town of Ephesus, Mary lives alone, years after her son’s crucifixion.
Before reading, take some time to think about Mary. What do you remember from the Bible, your church or what you heard from others? If you are like me, you know that the Virgin Mary was married to Joseph; delivered the "Son of God" in a manger; saw her son crucified...and then what? What happened after Jesus was born? What did Jesus do during the lost time period before he reappeared in the Bible? What happened to Joseph? Did they live happily ever after? Silly question but perhaps mother and father did live ever after if not exactly happily. Will this book answer some of my questions?
During reading: Who are the men? Why are they there? What happened to Joseph? Does she believe her son was the "Son of God"? Was she angry? Was she afraid? Was she embarrassed? Did she want to die? Did she try to save Jesus? Was all the pain and suffering worth it? Was she a Christian?
After reading: Is the story in this book different from the story in Bible? I have been thinking about Pope Benedict's latest revelations about what the Bible really says about Christmas and how we have accepted so many myths. He said that the Bible never actually mentions a manger or music etc. etc. Does it really state in the Bible that she was there to take the body because she stayed at the cross? I wonder. Perhaps I should go back and read the Bible again with new eyes. UPDATE: I actually checked out what the Bible says exactly:
25 Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.
26 When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!
27 Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.
So the author was correct in saying that she had left the cross before he died. There are many points in this book where the author has literally taken points from the Bible and then filled in the blanks with his own reasoning. I think that is valid because, after all, it is a work of fiction.
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