Looking for Mary: (Or, the Blessed Mother and Me) (Compass)

An interesting read, regardless of one's views of Marian apparitions or the author's self-centeredness. The biggest flaw to me was that it seemed a bit disjointed and incomplete, but that's probably more true to the author's life and experiences than writing a more cohesive narrative. I appreciated that the author's voice seems honest -- sometimes cringingly so -- and accessible to non-Catholics or the non-devout. Yes, it's a conversion tale, but it's well-written and individual rather than falling into the tropes and cliches of many conversion narratives. It's most fascinating as a glimpse of how one woman relates to the Virgin Mary, including interaction with Marian objects and apparition sites, and uses such interactions as a mode of show more personal healing. show less

This is a beautifully written book which I really enjoyed, both laughing and crying along with Beverly Donofrio and her search for Mary and what this means to her. It had an enormous impact on me and really increased my knowledge and connection with my own Mary. I normally donate my books to the charity shop, I can't part with this one, it is just gorgeous and highly recommended.

One of the things I like about Donofrio is that she makes me look like a good mother by comparison. In this memoir about her obsession with Mary, mother of Jesus, she's no less self-absorbed or narcissistic than she was in [b:Riding in Cars with Boys|139668|Riding in Cars with Boys|Beverly Donofrio|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172112153s/139668.jpg|134633]. She still doesn't have a lot of clues, but to her credit she went looking for some.

Lots of interesting Marian detail here. Donofrio is a believer in the miraculous and has enough money to go on pilgrimages all over the world. Reading about it is as close as I think I ever want to get, but I'm glad I read this book. Religious fervor wherein one voluntarily allows one's self to show more be caressed with a glove covered in a dead priest's blood strikes me as best observed from a safe distance.

There are lots of little details that were left out of her first book. Not particularly linear, it's disjointed, all over the place, and I don't think I'm nearly as fascinated by Donofrio as she is. The writing is good. show less

This has nothing to do with Catholicsm and everything to do with creating a very personal god tailored exactly to what the author feels would be worth worshipping.

I semi enjoyed the book, the writing is light and flows along well and the subject promised to be interesting. However, the more I read the more I lost respect for the author and it got to the point I couldn't wait to finish it.

The author so loves the Virgin Mary that she goes on a pilgrimage to see her apparition and the people to whom she appears weekly. She doesn't see her but several miracles happen - the sun spins in the sky and a tear disappears from a marble statue. You might think that the author would also love the Virgin's Son, but no, she doesn't like Jesus at all show more and makes no bones about saying so at several points in the book, although she does make an effort to like him, because he is Mary's son. With an exception or two it seems that the author doesn't like men in the church very much at all and at the culmination of the pilgrimage, seeing the Pope in Rome, she chooses to have a manicure instead.

Eventually the author decides the Mary she likes best is Our Lady of Guadeloupe and the extraordinary cult-worship of her in Mexico, so naturally she decides to go and live there, just commuting to the US for her writing career.

The book, possibly because of the lovely cover, was a lot like being asked out for dinner, dressing up, getting a taxi and finding all that was on offer was a Big Mac and fries and having to get the bus home after that. show less

A couple of weeks after having finished this book I'm still impressed with it. I loved the research about Mary and also the way Beverly D'Onofrio wrote about her journey of faith. That being said, I'm afraid I can't commit to being a fan of hers. I read Riding in Cars with Boys and had to force myself to give this book a chance. In fact it took me about 5 years after I bought it to actually read it. I just don't care for her as a person - based upon what she's shared in her memoirs. I don't know if she's trying to come off as self-centered as she is but that's what turns me off. I'm off my soapbox! I did enjoy the book and it has brought me a new understanding of the devotion to the Blessed Mother and for that I'm grateful!

I only read this book because it was a gift from a friend. There were touching moments, but all in all, it was a pretty standard memoir of getting past youthful irresponsibility via (sometimes credulous) religious devotion.

This is a very beautiful and touching retelling by Beverly Donofrio of her own conversion and repentance under the guidance of the Mother of God. Although I don't always agree with Donofrio's personal opinions and she sometimes makes some rather strange statements, I enjoyed this book nonetheless. It is a powerful testimony both for the effectiveness of the intercessions of the Blessed Virgin Mary and for the power of a mother's love -- and how those powerful forces can change a person and a person's life permanently.