Searching for Mary

by Mark Garvey

Book Overview

Join Mark Garvey as he journeys across the U.S. (from Conyers, Georgia, to Bayside, New York, to Necedah, Wisconsin) seeking resolution to the mystery shrouding the Marian apparitions of our century.... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0452279526
• ISBN13: 9780452279520
• Release Date: April 1998
• Publisher: Plume
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.0" x 0.8" x 5.3"

Customer Reviews

Shoe Leather Observer

I give Mark Garvey credit for actually personally going to these various sites in the U.S. and observing what went on, with in some cases personal interviews with the seers themselves. Yet he saved his biggest punch for last in the last chapter when he visited Necedah, Wisconsin. I was moved by his descriptions of the torment that Mary Ann Van Hoof experienced. Otherwise, Mark Garvey is really funny and he had me laughing out loud at some of his comments. I take my hat off to this man for venturing into this field of inquiry. He has done religious people of the U.S. a service in writing this book.

Fascinating

Mark Garvey writes with real generosity of spirit about a phenomenon that is appealing yet ultimately hard to believe. He understands what people compels so many to search for Mary in late 20th-century America. His reporting is mostly even-handed and sympathetic toward those he observes--although he clearly likes some visionaries and seekers better than others. A very worthwhile read for anyone interested in the interaction of spirituality and popular culture.

An excellent piece of Americana.

In elegant yet simple prose Garvey gives us a glimpse into the colorful and sometimes tragicomic world of Marian apparitions. If John Kennedy Toole had written a piece of journalistic non-fiction, it would have resembled this. A brilliant piece of Americana.

Vivid and graceful writing

This straightforward investigation into Marian sightings around the U.S. is beautifully written, offering not only a journalist's unbiased view of those who seek spirituality in this unique manner, but also a glimpse into the author's soul. Written with grace and balance, this is a great read.

Even-handed reportage, elegantly written

For those curious about the explosion of reported apparitions of Mary in the U.S., this is the best introduction on the market. Author Garvey takes an honest and objective, but insightful and not unspiritual, look at the claims of visionaries and locutionists in some of the most popular (crowd-drawing) sites. A perfect template for any excursion into the ephemeral, written with conscience and style. Well worth the investment.