![]() ![]() Toibin’s novella began life as a stage play which he later transformed into a written monologue of Mary’s inner thoughts in the years after the Crucifixtion, when she lives a lonely life in Ephesus, hidden away from the authorities and guarded by two members of the Disciples. In spite of my initial apprehension I am actually glad I took the time to read this book. I later changed my mind as Toibin is from Wexford like me and I decided to review his work for my local newspaper. I tend to avoid religious books and didn’t initially intend to read The Testament of Mary. From other blogs and comments, I noticed that many readers were slightly apprehensive about the religious content of the novella. Personally this book was also a challenge to me. At 104 pages, it is the shortest book that has ever been nominated. It also challenges the conventions of the Man Booker prize. It challenges the traditional, Catholic view of Mary as the Virgin Mother, a saintly figure who sacrificed her beloved son to save mankind. One word which comes to mind regarding Colm Toibin’s Man Booker nominated novella is challenging.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |