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April 23, 2009

The Passion of Mary-Margaret***

*** The Passion of Mary-Margaret, Lisa Samson, 2009

I finally got around to picking up Lisa's latest. And all I can say is:

Holy cow! Holy freaking cow!

Publisher's Weekly said "A talented novelist who isn't afraid to take risks." I'll say. In spades. With knobs on.

I'm not usually fond of religious protagonists, so when I saw the main character was a religious sister, (not a nun, as she reiterates occasionally) I wasn't that excited about diving in. Let's just say that the story gained momentum to the point that didn't matter to me. And about halfway through the holy cow moment came and it didn't matter after that.

Lisa's still got the knack for the well crafted phrase. Here are a couple of my favorites:

I'd sneak out of the dormitory, my bare white feet glowing against the stone floor of the corridor, my breath scraping the holy stillness.

Each night I prayed for him, not because I was holy but because I'd tacked a picture of him up by the bathroom sink so I could remember him when I brushed my teeth. I've always said the secret of the truly pious is a better memory than most of us.

I can't decide which I like better, this one or Embrace Me. Read them both and let me know what you think.

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