Told from the viewpoint of four unforgettable characters, this is the story of an ordinary girl, thought to be a modern-day Holy Virgin.
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"A homeless man has a vision that a teen girl at a local restaurant is actually an incarnation of the Virgin Mary. He spreads his message, the media becomes involved - and then she begins to perform miracles. And then what? This novel shows the affects of these extraordinary events on the girl and the people around her. It's a very interesting concept, and Hallowell executes it well. The narration, which alternates between several main characters, has an ethereal quality that helps hide the literal "truth" and makes everything seem vaguely, but not quite, magical. In the midst of this mystical atmosphere, Hallowell tackles some interesting questions of faith, truth, and responsibility."
— Kate (4 out of 5 stars)
" Picked this one up on clearance at an airport. Very worth the read. Quick and easy to digest but with a great story line. "
— Emily, 2/2/2014" I would actually give it a 3.5 if that was possible. It was a little out there, but still enjoyable. It was interesting to have four people telling the story simultaneously. I never became too emotionally involved with any of the characters though. Good for just some light summer reading. "
— Kayla, 1/31/2014" Overall a pleasant read - Actually piqued my interest in reading a few more things touching on faith, which is not my usual MO. Shifting 1st person viewpoints would throw me periodically (despite the chapter title being the character) but only momentarily. "
— Amanda, 1/26/2014" Very interesting read, took me a little while to get into it but kept my mind going... "
— Kristy, 1/25/2014" Definitely not the typical run-of-the-mill book, but one well-worth reading. Again, I don't know if it's my Catholic connection talking or not, but I thoroughly enjoyed this book. "
— Jonna, 1/23/2014" It is amazing what total belief (in yourself or in others) can accomplish. And frightening as well. "
— Kendra, 1/22/2014" I most enjoyed trying to separate fact from fiction. It's almost like a mystery novel. Is she really the Virgin? "
— Sara, 1/17/2014" It makes you want to reach in and shake her. "
— Sarah, 12/27/2013" People start believing Francesca is the next Blessed Virgin. She "appears" pregnant and to be healing people. People get what they believe. I really liked this book. "
— 'Chele, 12/24/2013" I just liked how the author, Janis, made the situations. She just really leaves it up to the reader on how will you determine the happenings. Divinity or madness. Its all up to you to weight it. So its an okay book to read. "
— Jahlene, 12/15/2013" Very interesting- a very different and odd perspective. "
— Briggs, 11/25/2013" It took a long time and patience to get through this book. "
— Christina, 11/4/2013" I guess I can't be too disappointed in this book, as I did get it out of the bargain bin, but it did not live up to the promise of the premise. It just all around fell short of expectations. "
— Kristin, 9/10/2013" Tho sometimes a little silly, I enjoyed this coming of age story and thought the overtones and situations were applicable (albeit in less dramatic ways) even in lives not so fantastically touched by a higher power. "
— Maggie, 7/16/2013" I really wanted to like this book, but I just didn't! To me, the most interesting possibilities in the book surrounded the priest and Francesca's mom. I wasn't feeling very sympathetic to Francesca and I just found myself annoyed reading this book. "
— Lara, 5/6/2013" Usual story...14 year old girl believes she is the Holy Virgin and so do many of those around her. Then they all take the appropriate meds and get over it. Entertaining enough for the commute. "
— Beth, 4/15/2013" A quick and good read!! "
— Nicole, 3/28/2013" This was an interesting book. Its about a schizophrenic and the virgin mary what a great combination. Could have been better though. "
— Heather, 10/6/2012" Well written, very interesting idea and characters. "
— Karen, 6/12/2012" Heartbreaking and unexpected! I really enjoyed the story about the craziness of fame or rather infamy. The characters were interesting and their views give the story so many different layers. All in all, an interesting coming of age story. "
— Tara, 5/3/2012" An interesting story about adolescence, spirituality, and the struggle to belong "
— Akeiisa, 4/18/2012" Very interesting twist on a 2000 year old story. "
— Lori, 4/8/2012" uggg, I did not like this one at all. "
— Juliet, 2/11/2012" This reads more like a YA novel than anything else. The story is interesting, though it's not really my kind of book. "
— Kristyn, 1/21/2012" A nice and potentially interesting plot, but one the writer didn't know how to adequately complicate to hold my attention. But some nice prose. "
— Cardee, 10/22/2011" I listened to the audio version of this book and really enjoyed it. "
— Gina, 7/18/2011" I most enjoyed trying to separate fact from fiction. It's almost like a mystery novel. Is she really the Virgin? "
— Sara, 4/4/2011" I just liked how the author, Janis, made the situations. She just really leaves it up to the reader on how will you determine the happenings. Divinity or madness. Its all up to you to weight it. So its an okay book to read. "
— Jj, 12/29/2010" Weird, funny, sad. . . what more can you ask for in a book! "
— Michelle, 10/21/2010" Fabulous! Hallowell manipulates the English language into a beautiful world of wonder. I was swept away by the magic of this story, I wish it wasn't over! "
— Erika, 9/24/2010" Top notch book delving into some difficult topics. Good plot with some unexpected twists. Highly recommended read. "
— Katharine, 9/7/2010" One of the cool things about this story is that you are frequently asking yourself, is this divinity or insanity? I think important questions such as these coming up in fiction may help us to acknowledge them more in real life. Maybe a good choice for a YA audience. "
— Rebecca, 8/22/2010" This reads more like a YA novel than anything else. The story is interesting, though it's not really my kind of book. "
— Kristyn, 6/2/2010" Thought provoking and sweet. "
— Tiah, 5/27/2010" Overall a pleasant read - Actually piqued my interest in reading a few more things touching on faith, which is not my usual MO. Shifting 1st person viewpoints would throw me periodically (despite the chapter title being the character) but only momentarily. "
— Amanda, 3/29/2010" Heartbreaking and unexpected! I really enjoyed the story about the craziness of fame or rather infamy. The characters were interesting and their views give the story so many different layers. All in all, an interesting coming of age story. "
— Tara, 9/16/2009" i just found this book unbearable! totally uninteresting. "
— Karen, 9/3/2009" People start believing Francesca is the next Blessed Virgin. She "appears" pregnant and to be healing people. People get what they believe. I really liked this book. "
— 'Chele, 6/27/2009" I listened to the audio version of this book and really enjoyed it. "
— Gina, 6/25/2009" This was an interesting book. Its about a schizophrenic and the virgin mary what a great combination. Could have been better though. "
— Heather, 6/4/2009Beth McDonald, a Juilliard graduate, has appeared across the country in regional theatre productions of plays by Shakespeare, Neil Simon, Sophocles, Arthur Miller, Moliere, A. R.Gurney, Euripides, and others. Her Broadway credits include the original cast of Angels in America, A Few Good Men, and Einstein and the Polar Bear. Her television work includes appearances on Law & Order, Third Watch, and The Courtroom as well as recurring roles on All My Children and As the World Turns. She has appeared in Mona Lisa Smile and several independent feature films. An Earphones Award-winner, Beth has read a number of audiobooks including Susan Faludi’s The Terror Dream, Sandra Brown’s Sunny Chandler’s Return, Tami Hoag’s Dark Horse, and Elisabeth Hyde’s The Abortionist’s Daughter.