Our Lady of the Forest

written by David Guterson

This was a pretty funky book, the funkiness probably compounded by the fact that I read it in one sitting, immediately after a week-long solo hike on the Appalachian Trail, when my head was still spinning from walking out of the woods and back into the frenetic buzz of civilization.

The novel deals with a homeless teenage runaway named Anne Holmes who, while hunting for mushrooms in a remote area of the Pacific northwest, encounters several Marian apparitions. She confides mainly in two people: a fellow wanderer named Carolyn who doesn't really believe in the apparitions but is excited about the potential financial benefits, and a confused young priest who is struggling with doubt and his role in the church.

Of note:

• I liked the way Guterson develops such a vivid picture of the depressed logging town where the story takes place. North Fork is definitely a gloomy place in need of redemption, and this becomes all the more apparent when Anne's visions create such a swell of activity and hope. North Fork kind of reminds me of some of the towns I've seen in the upper peninsula of Michigan. Towns that have lots of history but are now sadly languishing under economic hardship and loss of purpose.


• The character of Tom Cross, an unemployed logger with all kinds of problems, is intertwined with Anne's visions, but his story felt underdeveloped to me, and his abrupt transformation in the end of the book seems very trite and unsubstantiated.


• The priest in whom Anne confides has a complicated sexuality that I found really bothersome to the story. And yes, I know there's a point to be made here about how those trained and chosen for sacred work (like the priest) are sometimes much less qualified and much less spiritual than mundane but faithful riffraff (like Anne). But the constant references to the priest's issues with lust and masturbation got old.


• I think the book makes an interesting point made about how society is quick to grope for the miraculous, and to turn spiritual phenomena into commercial ventures. Once word gets out about Anne's visions, miracle-seekers from all over the surrounding area start coming out of the wordwork, turning Anne's experiences into frenzied media-worthy events.