Ann Holmes sees visions of the Virgin Mary in a rain soaked forests of Washington State. She's a runaway from sexual abuse at home, an itinerant mushroom picker living in a tent, sufferer of numerous allergies and an asthmatic. When word of her visions spreads, thousands of people flock to the small, run-down town of North Fork to pray, sing psalms, exploit the faithful and turn on the spotlights of the media.
As the circus grows, even the Church and the forests' owners lose control and faithful followers of the Visionary have their way as a new church is built in the forest.
Were the visions real? Was Ann a saint in the making? The final pages answer these and other questions.
This book is from the writer of 'Snow Falling on Cedars'. I have to say I was a bit disappointed in this one. It's well written, with beautiful prose and detailed, insightful characterisation that invoked my empathy and sympathy. However, I found the sexual themes over-done and tiresome. The chosen season of autumn, with its constant darkness and rain, was depressing and wearying, at distinct odds with the beauty and joy of Ann's visions. Maybe that was the point but, if it was, the balance was tilted wrongly in my view.
Depressing.
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