The Mary Pages: An Atheist’s Journey to the Mother of God

 Caitrin Bennett reviews the new poetic memoir of Sally Read’s conversion to Catholicism led by Marian imagery. 

The Mary Pages: An Atheist’s Journey to the Mother of God

By Sally Read

Publisher: Word on Fire

Singular vessel of devotion 

Through the centuries and around the world, the fascination of artists and poets has been singularly captured by one woman. Our Lady, the Blessed Virgin Mary, has been represented in sculpture, painting, and verse time and time again, even by nonreligious creators.  

Every attempt to depict Mary falls short, and yet each one draws attention to some aspect of her beauty and grace. Marian imagery played a large role in drawing poet and author Sally Read towards the Catholic Church. As so many others before Read have experienced, Mother Mary pointed right to her precious Son. 

A poet’s conversion 

The Mary Pages, published by Word on Fire, includes half a dozen full color Marian images, from Michaelangelo’s Pietà to the miraculous image that appeared on the tilma of St. Juan Diego in Guadalupe, Mexico. The author also references countless other works of art, both actual Marian images and those that she felt looked the way Mary should really look. You will find yourself googling all these images so you can put a face to each different version of Mary you hear about.  

Sally Read also weaves diverse quotes through her unfolding ilfe story: words from Scripture, prayers of the Church, classic literature, the words of the Saints, and her own poetry. This is a conversion story told through a very particular lens- the appeal of Marian imagery-and written only as a poet could write it. Read obviously knows and loves visual art, but the pen is her personal paintbrush, and the imagery she creates with words is just as striking and lovely as a painting or a statue. No wonder that, even as an atheist, she was drawn to the mother of the Word made flesh. 

Ideal audience 

Note that this book is for a more mature audience, as the younger Read dabbled in things like fornication and a bit of pagan ritual, and topics like abortion and rape are also mentioned. But, while you shouldn’t gift this book to a child or teen, I recommend it to anyone who appreciates culture and beauty.  

If you already love Mary, many of Read’s experiences of the Blessed Virgin will resonate with you. If you struggle with (or outright reject) the Church’s teachings about Mary, you will see yourself in Read’s younger self, too. Even nonbelievers will find Read’s reflections on art, literature, history and Marian apparitions interesting and creatively depicted. And who knows: maybe her story will be the turning point in your own journey with Our Lady and her Son.  

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Copyright 2024 Caitrin Bennett
Images: Canva