A reader wants to know

What are you hearing about your new books, Mary, Mother of the Son? They are lovely, Mark. I can hear Fr. Neuhaus’ voice as I read the Forward! I am having a difficult time just reading – I am skipping all over and skipping in three books is a bit wild.

I always feel weird when people ask me stuff like this, because any link to a positive review feels like grotesque boasting, while any link to negative reviews feels like masochism. As it happens I’ve gotten a bit of feedback, but not loads. That doesn’t surprise me since it’s a big book. But what I’ve gotten back so far is cheering to hear after all the years of work. In fact, I don’t have any negative reviews to report so far (though I’m sure somebody will give it one sooner or later.

One reader put up a little review over at CE that said a number of embarrassingly gushy things.

Fr. Phil Bloom wrote to say of Volume I: Modern Myths and Ancient Truth

It is cheap at twice the price. I just finished volume I. The book will last and people will be quoting it in years to come. You address issues that interest ordinary people in a way that is understandable, memorable and does not compromise good scholarship. Great accomplishment. I am looking forward to Volumes II & III.

Later, he wrote to add:

I have almost finished Volume II. It’s like reading C.S. Lewis. [Cringe – MS] You want to savor the sentences. You have a way of focusing on a specific aspect of reality, but keeping and communicating the vision of the whole. A great gift – thank you for bringing it to the Church in a time when it is much needed.

Another reader writes:

I have a confession to make. When I ordered the three volumes of “Mary: Mother of the Son” I had in mind:

1) Support Mark.

2) Probably learn some good stuff about Mary.

Now I am only on page 87 of volume 1, but I am really really glad I bought them.

Another confession: when I read your first book – the one with the day-glow cover [This is My Body: An Evangelical Discovers the Real Presence – MS] – I thought, yes, it’s ok, but Mark is not a great writer. Just ok. [That’s more like it. – MS]

Mark has grown – and I don’t mean by that what some people seem to mean.

Please pray for my extremely anti-Catholic, ex-Catholic friend. Once I have finished these I am going to offer to buy him a set – but only on condition that he agree to read them.

No, I am NOT going to lend him my copies! They have other work to do.

If you choose to put this on your website, please add:

“Everybody, listen up! Buy Mark’s books! Buy them or else!! (or else live in darkness, you poor benighted people)”

Far be it from me to argue with my readers. You can order them here, signed and everything.

When reviews turn up online, I’ll try to remember to link them. Thanks, all y’all, for your interest in and support of this project so near and dear to my heart.