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catherineamerica's review against another edition
2.0
This book was not good. The narrator was condescending and boring. The story was plodding. Mary was and was not there. It could have been literally any guest in the house. The narrator keeps saying she is telling us her life story but she never does. She only makes grand sweeping statements.
marypetersonbennett's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this imaginative and informative book.
annemariep68's review against another edition
4.0
It took me awhile to read this novel because there was a lot in it I wanted to read thoroughly and digest. The premise is a little whacky but the novel turns into 1) a partial history of the Marian sightings and miracles; 2) a conversation about faith and religion (which took me back to a religious study class I took in university- which I still think about); and 3) a woman’s personal journey navigating the ideas of faith and contentment and gratitude in her own life.
I found it very interesting and it will likely be a book I think about and refer to again in the future. It was a recommendation from my local independent bookshop for their book club and I am sorry I missed the meeting but very grateful that they introduced me to this novel. Recommend.
I found it very interesting and it will likely be a book I think about and refer to again in the future. It was a recommendation from my local independent bookshop for their book club and I am sorry I missed the meeting but very grateful that they introduced me to this novel. Recommend.
kandicez's review against another edition
3.0
It was okay, but I never really cared what was going to happen.
yetilibrary's review against another edition
1.0
1. This book combines tales of the Virgin Mary with a layman's take on quantum physics.
2. I have a degree in physics and a degree in theology.
3. I was NOT the target audience for this book.
Parts of Our Lady of the Lost and Found are charming, engaging, and entertaining. However, the book suffers from three significant problems:
- Show, don't tell: Some tales are elegantly told. Others, particularly when the narrator is talking about herself, are phenomenally dull. The narrator keeps saying "I am the victim and the villain of [my own] story," but honestly I'm still not sure what her story IS. Something about bad relationships and living alone?
- Bad theology: It's hard to talk about Mary without talking about Jesus, but Schoemperlen manages it. At the same time, she has an axe to grind with historians who have left Mary "out" of "history," as she herself puts Mary on a pedestal as a universal and unifying figure. It's a very Western view of Mary, made especially odd as Mary is presented almost entirely outside of a Christian context: she's standing by herself, working by herself, almost as a goddess. Also, Schoemperlen treats all alleged apparitions of Mary as being created equal, and never stops to consider whether that's a good idea. (Did she research anything about the Bayside movement, for example?) Marian apparitions can indeed be powerful, and that kind of power can be dangerous--a fact that has apparently escaped the author's notice.
- Bad science: Schoemperlen is VERY enamored of the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle. She uses it in the book so often that it's obnoxious, and she winds up getting some of the science wrong. She also paints this rosy picture of theologians and scientists working together, now that quantum physics has somehow made room for God, and that is ... not how it works, not what's happening, nope. (Also she thinks somehow quantum concepts validate the idea of Marian apparitions? Oh for the love of sporks, no.) Furthermore, she treads into the "God of the gaps" territory by inserting God into a space she perceives as having been created by quantum mechanics, and as any theologian will tell you, that theology is both weak and unsustainable.
IN CONCLUSION, give this a pass.
2. I have a degree in physics and a degree in theology.
3. I was NOT the target audience for this book.
Parts of Our Lady of the Lost and Found are charming, engaging, and entertaining. However, the book suffers from three significant problems:
- Show, don't tell: Some tales are elegantly told. Others, particularly when the narrator is talking about herself, are phenomenally dull. The narrator keeps saying "I am the victim and the villain of [my own] story," but honestly I'm still not sure what her story IS. Something about bad relationships and living alone?
- Bad theology: It's hard to talk about Mary without talking about Jesus, but Schoemperlen manages it. At the same time, she has an axe to grind with historians who have left Mary "out" of "history," as she herself puts Mary on a pedestal as a universal and unifying figure. It's a very Western view of Mary, made especially odd as Mary is presented almost entirely outside of a Christian context: she's standing by herself, working by herself, almost as a goddess. Also, Schoemperlen treats all alleged apparitions of Mary as being created equal, and never stops to consider whether that's a good idea. (Did she research anything about the Bayside movement, for example?) Marian apparitions can indeed be powerful, and that kind of power can be dangerous--a fact that has apparently escaped the author's notice.
- Bad science: Schoemperlen is VERY enamored of the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle. She uses it in the book so often that it's obnoxious, and she winds up getting some of the science wrong. She also paints this rosy picture of theologians and scientists working together, now that quantum physics has somehow made room for God, and that is ... not how it works, not what's happening, nope. (Also she thinks somehow quantum concepts validate the idea of Marian apparitions? Oh for the love of sporks, no.) Furthermore, she treads into the "God of the gaps" territory by inserting God into a space she perceives as having been created by quantum mechanics, and as any theologian will tell you, that theology is both weak and unsustainable.
IN CONCLUSION, give this a pass.
suannelaqueur's review against another edition
5.0
Loved it. Briskly paced, thoughtful and engaging. I was completely absorbed. Brilliant.
nadoislandgirl's review against another edition
2.0
This book started strong. I was intrigued and a bit charmed. But then it evolved into… I don’t really know what. Lots of Catholic history, lives of the saints, Marian sightings, etc.
Halfway through I realized it was becoming drudgery to read. DNF
Halfway through I realized it was becoming drudgery to read. DNF
jlynnelseauthor's review against another edition
1.0
This book is a very slow read. A long history about the Virgin Mary is presented up front and reads as if a professor is droning on in front of a class. The minute details get to be too much with nothing else is happening in the book. The character lays down for a nap, but then goes on and on about the set up of her room. I do not need to know the color of her bedspread and the way her furniture is arranged. This writing style makes it feel like forever before the author makes a point.
I picked up this book curious about the aspect of Mary showing up at your doorstep. What a funny and surprising concept! But Mary has hardly said anything 100 pages into the story, even though she's been present for most of it. In fact, the times she does speak, she seems a little curt.
I want to see some reactions. The main character seems extremely monotone and withdrawn. She watches Mary unpack her luggage (which the author then goes into detail about how many items and what colors her items of clothing, toiletries, and other misc things she has). The character has NO reaction to anything. She also shows no personal emotions to this person staying at her house. The character thinks about it, but there is no emotional connection to anything.
This book is very dry. I want some interaction. And if anything, interlace some Mary history in the story as its unfolding, not right at the beginning slap-you-in-the-face off the bat! Its a chore to keep reading. I'd kind of like to know what happens, but that need is not greater than the fact that I'm just not enjoying this read. I want some emotional draw, and there's really nothing here after 100 pages.
I picked up this book curious about the aspect of Mary showing up at your doorstep. What a funny and surprising concept! But Mary has hardly said anything 100 pages into the story, even though she's been present for most of it. In fact, the times she does speak, she seems a little curt.
I want to see some reactions. The main character seems extremely monotone and withdrawn. She watches Mary unpack her luggage (which the author then goes into detail about how many items and what colors her items of clothing, toiletries, and other misc things she has). The character has NO reaction to anything. She also shows no personal emotions to this person staying at her house. The character thinks about it, but there is no emotional connection to anything.
This book is very dry. I want some interaction. And if anything, interlace some Mary history in the story as its unfolding, not right at the beginning slap-you-in-the-face off the bat! Its a chore to keep reading. I'd kind of like to know what happens, but that need is not greater than the fact that I'm just not enjoying this read. I want some emotional draw, and there's really nothing here after 100 pages.
georgiatheresa's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5