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
rachelleahdorn's review against another edition
3.0
I started reading this about a decade ago. I disliked it and stopped. I thought I'd give it another shot because my Mom had originally recommended it and because now that I am teaching art history classes, maybe I'd feel more of a connection.
I had to admit that the last 25% of the book was better than the first, but I'm not sure the whole is particularly to my taste.
I suspect that this appeals to fairly religious folks the most. I thought the histories would be interesting, but they were told as miracles rather than as histories. I looked up several while I read to see what was true because just saying the picture floats with no means of support and still does and no one has ever mentioned this happens in the real world goes beyond my ability to suspend disbelief for this type of fiction posing as non fiction-kind of.
I had to admit that the last 25% of the book was better than the first, but I'm not sure the whole is particularly to my taste.
I suspect that this appeals to fairly religious folks the most. I thought the histories would be interesting, but they were told as miracles rather than as histories. I looked up several while I read to see what was true because just saying the picture floats with no means of support and still does and no one has ever mentioned this happens in the real world goes beyond my ability to suspend disbelief for this type of fiction posing as non fiction-kind of.
bev_reads_mysteries's review against another edition
4.0
Our Lady of the Lost and Found by Diane Schoemperlen is a knock-out book. It wins on almost all counts. The story revolves around a middle-aged writer who finds herself with an unexpected houseguest who plans to stay for a week. A long-lost friend? A relative barging in? No, just the Virgin Mary who has not had a vacation in 2000 years and has decided that she needs a quiet break from all the prayers, petitions, and miracles. Mary arrives in a long black dress, with a white shawl over her head and white Nikes on her feet--ready to lead a quiet life of chats over breakfast and simple shopping visits to the mall.
Over the course of the week, the unnamed writer learns a lot about Mary, her own life, truth versus fiction, and the real meaning of history. She confronts meaning in her own life and the value of faith. Faith not only in a religious sense, but faith in oneself. She learns that while it may be difficult to believe in God or all of the miracles that have been said to happen in Mary's name, it is often harder to believe in yourself. To believe in the possibilities in your life; to believe in all that you can do.
This was a knock-out book on so many levels. Well-written, with subtle humor. Probing deep questions. It took me quite a while to read this short novel, but that was only because there was so much to ponder and digest. This is a book that I know I will read again and again, because I can already see that I will take new things away from each time I do. The only reason I give this book four and a half stars and not a full five is due to the sheer number of historical Mary visitations recounted. It became a bit repetitive reading all those accounts and I think the book would have been better if the number had been cut down by at least a third, if not half. Overall, a wonderful novel that gives the reader plenty to think about and enjoy.
Over the course of the week, the unnamed writer learns a lot about Mary, her own life, truth versus fiction, and the real meaning of history. She confronts meaning in her own life and the value of faith. Faith not only in a religious sense, but faith in oneself. She learns that while it may be difficult to believe in God or all of the miracles that have been said to happen in Mary's name, it is often harder to believe in yourself. To believe in the possibilities in your life; to believe in all that you can do.
This was a knock-out book on so many levels. Well-written, with subtle humor. Probing deep questions. It took me quite a while to read this short novel, but that was only because there was so much to ponder and digest. This is a book that I know I will read again and again, because I can already see that I will take new things away from each time I do. The only reason I give this book four and a half stars and not a full five is due to the sheer number of historical Mary visitations recounted. It became a bit repetitive reading all those accounts and I think the book would have been better if the number had been cut down by at least a third, if not half. Overall, a wonderful novel that gives the reader plenty to think about and enjoy.
chally09's review against another edition
2.0
Misleading in calling itself a novel. Mary visits the main character, lots of boring narration about housework, but basically the majority of the book is a retelling of famous Marian apparitions throughout the centuries. There is no plot. Mary visits. You’re told about famous apparitions. Mary leaves.
jdyschmdt's review against another edition
2.0
It would have been fine if I was looking for a book about the history of Mary appearances and miracles. It was the majority of the book. I wanted a story of what happened to the woman when Mary stayed at her house. It was that a little. I think I was expecting a comedic adventure or something.