The Testament of Mary - Colin Toibin

As the name suggests this is a fictionalized story of Mary, mother of Jesus Christ. The story is in the form of monologue. As Mary was nearing death , she narrates her feelings and emotions during  the time when Jesus was in Jerusalem. At first i did not understand why two guards are watching and staying with Mary but as story unfolds we can understand that they are ordered to protect Mary. Throughout the story Mary was under watch by Roman spies and his son's followers.

Mary always wanted to bring his son back to their house , she traveled to Cana for the marriage but no use, she found Jesus beyond recognition . He was dressed in fine clothes and surrounded by so many people , most of them are encouraging him as he call himself "Son of God". And then after she got confirmation from Marcus that her son will be crucified, she traveled to Jerusalem . The moment she saw Jesus , she wanted to save him but her guardian and Martha prevented her from go.After Jesus's crucifixion , they escaped to Ephesus and she dreamed of being with her son alive.She slowly realized that the people who were protecting her were building a circle of stories about her dreams and about her son. They are not listening to her , they just create their own versions of events and spreading it, in a way they are writing the Gospel. For them its politics and power.  She wants to tell real story and she is adamant about it . The image of her son's suffering did not leave her until her death.

The author portrays Mary as angry, frustrated and confused by the events happening around her. This Mary doubts the miracles attributed to her son. Even though some of the events described were not in Bible ,i think the author just wants to tell the story from Mary's point of view , a mother wrecked by fear, grief and guilt. Toibin really makes the reader to feel sad for Mary and how other used her circumstances.  The author enters a very dangerous territory as the devotion to Mary grows over the centuries.

This book is emotional and thought provoking .