The Visitation

By Sue Reidy

Book Overview

The Flynn girls, just two of a seemingly endless number of Flynn children, are naturally curious about where their little siblings came from. Well versed in the bizarre lives and gruesome deaths of their favorite saints, they have yet to crack the mysteries of the more earthly concerns of procreation and human relations. Blessed enlightenment comes, however, when the Virgin Mary appears and asks them to buy her suitable clothes for her earthly mission -- a campaign for birth control.

Set against the backdrop of the impending Vatican II decisions that wreaked havoc on many Catholic lives and the sprawl of the more permissive 1960s, this crackling, smart, and thoughtful novel is sure to delight.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0684839547
• ISBN13: 9780684839547
• Release Date: December 1997
• Publisher: Scribner Book Company
• Length: 272 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Holy Mother of God!

What's it like growing up poor and Catholic in New Zealand in the 1960s? Meet the Flynn sisters, Catherine and Theresa. Their childhood games consist mostly of re-enacting the lives of martyrs and saints, torturing themselves before an audience of their numerous siblings, with the Baby occasionally projectile-vomiting to add color to their already grisly pretend play. Things get pretty surreal when one of the little girls has a nun habit made and starts wearing it every day in preparation for a life in God's service. One day, the Flynn sisters receive a visit from the Virgin Mary, who manifests herself above the lemon tree in the backyard. The manifestation puts in the girls' trust a letter for the Pope. It is insinuated in the story that the letter is one advocating birth control and family planning. The young sisters hand the letter to their parents, and their conservative father doctors the letter before handing it to the religious authorities to make it appear as though the letter confirms and approves the status quo; i.e. religious prohibition against birth control.That is not all there is to the story. Surreal though the plot may sound so far, Reidy's prose is down-to-earth, warm and full of feeling. The girls grow up, meet many people with different points of view, experience sexual awakening, learn to stand up against their parents and their patriarchal values and learn what it is to be a woman and an individual.Although this book raises what some may consider controversial issues, ideas are presented in a wholesome, non-offensive manner that is sure to endear itself to its readers.Recommended reading to anyone who enjoys a good story and appreciates objectivity and freedom of information.

If you liked Dogma...

This book was truly a treasure which I found on a clearence rack. This novel gives an account of the relaxing of the Catholic Church which took place in the 1960's through the lives of two young girls. At the same time, hilarious and haunting, this story is a must read for anyone who grew up in a Catholic home.

A humorous, entertaining poke at Catholic doctrine rigidity.

A light, well written spoof that brings to light some of the absurdity of Roman Catholic doctrine as it relates to and supresses women. We found the characters believable, often recognizable! The book was smattered with humor and delivered a poingnant message about women, sexuality, faith and religion. Our book club enjoyed this one thoroughly!

Hilarious premise; mediocre execution

I was drawn to this book by a recommendation (printed on the cover) by Fay Weldon, one of my favorite writers. Although Weldon and Reidy share a New Zealand heritage, their similarities stop there. The premise of the book is hilarious -- the Virgin Mary decends to Earth to spread the Good News of contraception and sexual tolerance -- but the execution is mildly amusing at best. The author spends far too much time in the third quarter of the book focusing NOT on the teenaged daughters' various forms of sexual awakening, but instead languishes over the family strife caused it. And although I love feminist/pagan literature (and was raised Catholic, to boot) the tree-hugging ending was just too implausible for belief. An enjoyable--yet strangely flawed--work that desperatley needs a stronger editor.