Customer Reviews

Searching for Mary: An Exploration of Marian Apparitions Across the U.S.

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This book is wonderful is you wish to disparage and ridicule marian apparitions; indeed, Mr. Garvey takes you on a tour of all the bogus, sad, uninspired and demented "appartion" sites in America. What he fails to do is show Church-approved, or even Church-approvable apparition sites. True, he is working in the American apparition milieu where Church-approved apparition sites are few and far between; but reading this book, one might come away with the impression that Marian Apparitions are laughable, at best. For a more counterbalanced look at the phenomena read about Fatima, a fully Church approved apparition. For the truly skeptical, I recommend "Encountering Mary" by Sandra L. Zimdars-Swartz, a remarkable book which both believers and skeptics can appreciate. However, the book in question delivers nothing but snide commentary at a phenomena which has brought countless millions to a life of greater holiness.

Mark Garvey writes with real generosity of spirit about a phenomenon that is appealing yet ultimately hard to believe. He understands what people compels so many to search for Mary in late 20th-century America. His reporting is mostly even-handed and sympathetic toward those he observes--although he clearly likes some visionaries and seekers better than others. A very worthwhile read for anyone interested in the interaction of spirituality and popular culture.

I give Mark Garvey credit for actually personally going to these various sites in the U.S. and observing what went on, with in some cases personal interviews with the seers themselves. Yet he saved his biggest punch for last in the last chapter when he visited Necedah, Wisconsin. I was moved by his descriptions of the torment that Mary Ann Van Hoof experienced. Otherwise, Mark Garvey is really funny and he had me laughing out loud at some of his comments. I take my hat off to this man for venturing into this field of inquiry. He has done religious people of the U.S. a service in writing this book.

In elegant yet simple prose Garvey gives us a glimpse into the colorful and sometimes tragicomic world of Marian apparitions. If John Kennedy Toole had written a piece of journalistic non-fiction, it would have resembled this. A brilliant piece of Americana.

This straightforward investigation into Marian sightings around the U.S. is beautifully written, offering not only a journalist's unbiased view of those who seek spirituality in this unique manner, but also a glimpse into the author's soul. Written with grace and balance, this is a great read.

Garvey's book was very enjoyable and provided a vivid glimpse of a very interesting religious subculture. For the most part, I got a kick out of Garvey's humorous observations regarding his interactions with the individuals who flock to these apparition sites; however, sometimes his comments were inappropriately demeaning in my opinion. Nonetheless, I gained much from reading this book and would recommend it to others.

For those curious about the explosion of reported apparitions of Mary in the U.S., this is the best introduction on the market. Author Garvey takes an honest and objective, but insightful and not unspiritual, look at the claims of visionaries and locutionists in some of the most popular (crowd-drawing) sites. A perfect template for any excursion into the ephemeral, written with conscience and style. Well worth the investment.

This is more than just an account of several Marian apparition sites in the United States. It's the story of a reporter searching for his own faith in the hopes and beliefs of others. The writing is excellent, often very funny, wistful at times, but never sarcastic or small-minded. I was riveted from start to finish.

Would love to read the same author's impressions of the major, "Church-approved" apparition sites at Guadalupe, Lourdes, Fatima, La Salette, etc.