As someone relatively new to Catholicism I haven't grown up with Marian theology. This is a beautiful introduction and even emersion into the life of Mary and why that matters. Very rich and worth many re-reads.
This was written during the second world war, and so there are certainly some mentions that give a modern reader pause - a "blue-eyed" Christ child, a slight dismissal of mental illness when different "moods" are brought up, to name a couple. I get the feeling that were Caryll writing this today she would likely be on the right side of things.
So many excellent remarks on humanity and the human condition as well, like why are those who claim Christianity often the least Christlike? Why has Christ come to us in the small, poor, and unimportant? Wonderful contemplations on those topics and more. ( )

Absolutely astonishing. Calling the "Imitation of Mary" kind of points toward what it is, but at the same time fails to capture how revelatory and powerful it is. I will have to read it again.

First published over half a century ago, Caryll Houselander's The Reed of God is a spiritual classic that deserves to be rediscovered by a whole new generation of readers. Houselander's beautiful and profound mediation depicts the intimately human side of Mary, Mother of God, as an empty reed waiting for God's music to be played through her. She shares her insightful and beautiful vision of Mary on earth, Mary among us, Mary as a confused but trusting teenager whose holiness flowered with her eternal "Yes."

For being over 75 years old, this book is modern and feels fairly progressive (minus a few “oof—not good” moments). I only know about Catholicism from history (not a good light there) and jokes from people about being lapsed due to Catholic school, but this was actually a fascinating and beautifully written introduction to explaining their big deal with Mary. ( )

Lovely, profound, lyrical. But don't try to read it in one sitting. This one deserves to be savored a few pages a day over a long, long time. ( )