The Testament of Mary
by Colm Tóibín
The Testament of Mary by Colm Tóibín holds a well received rating of 3.61 out of 5, based on 9.1K reader ratings. First published in 2012. The book spans 81 pages.
About The Testament of Mary
Provocative, haunting, and indelible, Colm Tóibín’s portrait of Mary presents her as a solitary older woman still seeking to understand the events that become the narrative of the New Testament and the foundation of Christianity. In the ancient town of Ephesus, Mary lives alone, years after her son's crucifixion. She has no interest in collaborating with the authors of the Gospel—her keepers, who provide her with food and shelter and visit her regularly. She does not agree that her son is the Son of God; nor that his death was “worth it;” nor that the “group of misfits he gathered around him, men who could not look a woman in the eye,” were holy disciples. Mary judges herself ruthlessly (she did not stay at the foot of the Cross until her son died—she fled, to save herself), and is equally harsh on her judgment of others. This woman who we know from centuries of paintings and scripture as the docile, loving, silent, long-suffering, obedient, worshipful mother of Christ becomes, in Toibin’s searing evocation, a tragic heroine with the relentless eloquence of Electra or Medea or Antigone. This tour de force of imagination and language is a portrait so vivid and convincing that our image of Mary will be forever transformed.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Author | Colm Tóibín |
| Published | 2012 |
| Pages | 81 |
| Genres | Fiction, Historical Fiction, Religion & Spirituality, History, Fiction |
| Average Rating | 3.61 / 5.00 |
| Total Ratings | 9,050 |
Reader Ratings & Analysis
Rating Overview
How It Compares
Frequently Asked Questions
What genre is The Testament of Mary?
The Testament of Mary is categorized as Fiction, Historical Fiction, Religion & Spirituality, History. Its primary genre classification is Historical Fiction.
Is The Testament of Mary worth reading?
Based on 9.1K reader ratings, The Testament of Mary has an average score of 3.61 out of 5.00, which is considered "Well Received."
How many pages is The Testament of Mary?
The Testament of Mary has 81 pages. It is a relatively quick read.
Who wrote The Testament of Mary?
The Testament of Mary was written by Colm Tóibín. It was first published in 2012.
What is the ISBN for The Testament of Mary?
The ISBN-13 for The Testament of Mary is 9781451688380.0.
Data sourced from community book ratings and reviews. Last updated: April 15, 2026
