In this short novel, Mary is nearing the end of her life. She is hidden away from the enemies of Jesus although she wonders if her overseers are friends or foes. Mary looks back over her own life and that of her son. She relates the day of his crucifixion and his agony. In this telling, Mary and her cousin leave behind his death, slipping away so that they would not be rounded up with the rest of his followers as they knew the plan to be. She left the cleansing of his body and his burial to others and this is her greatest regret.
Colm Toibin is an Irish author whose books have been nominated four times for the Booker Prize along with many other awards. This book was longlisted in 2013 for the Booker. It gives an alternate testament of the times surrounding the death of Jesus and underlines the dichotomy Mary's life became, as a mother and an icon of the religion. This book is recommended for literary fiction readers.
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