David Guterson is a wonderful and gifted novelist. His "Snow Falling on Cedars" and "East of the Mountains" were so beautifully written. I cared about the characters. I did not want those books to end.
Given the opportunity I will always read Guterson, but, "Our Lady of the Forest" is simply not in the same category as the two listed. This book did not work for me on several levels. First, the ebb and flow of his words were not there. Reading the book, it felt quite choppy and I never got the impression that the narrator had his heart in the material. Secondly, I could not make myself care for any of the characters. They were just not believable. The young lady, Ann, who sees the Holy Mother was a sympathetic character but that is not the same as caring about her.
The story takes place in North Fork, Washington; one of the rainiest places in the Pacific Northwest. The young lady is a runaway from a home of abuse and molestation. She lives in a park in a broke down car and tent and she picks and sells mushrooms for a living, such as it is. One day while in the forest, she is overcome by the Spirit and sees an apparition of the Holy Mother Mary. This happens several days in a row and hordes come to the forest to follow Ann and see the "Lady". It almost takes on a carnival atmosphere at this point.
The best part of the book is the relationship or attempted platonic relationship between Ann and the local priest. But there was always someone in the way of that relationship coming about; another priest, a man from the town, another woman from the park. I don't know if this was part of Guterson's plan or if it was something that just didn't work.
I am a David Guterson fan but sadly I cannot recommend this book on many levels; most of them listed above. ( )

AN engrossing book, though less powerful than Snow Falling on Cedars or East of the Mountain ( )

very enjoyable

A close, damp, green, cynical, and very real recounting of a young woman's hallucinating vision of the Blessed Virgin in a rain forest in the Pacific Northwest. The most telling part is the speed with which the faithful gather for this purportedly concrete manifestation. The use of chat rooms and Web forums leads to a camper city forming overnight on the site.

Guterson is genuine, vivid, and unblinking in portraying the various players. And the cupidity - both in its lustful and avaricious meanings - shows through in this closely- and well-observed story. ( )

A peculiar story written in a peculiar way by the author of the wonder Snow Falling on Cedars. In this novel, a young runaway sees & hears the Virgin Mary in the Oregon forests, & soon develops a vast following. Both the characters & the plot developments are at times implausible, but it's always fascinating reading. ( )