The Reed of God Paperback – Illustrated, May 29, 2020

This is by far one of the best books that I have read to prepare me for the birth of Jesus during Advent. Very deep and rich in scripture!!

I am recommending this book to anyone and everyone. The beauty with which she writes and the feeling and thoughts the story evokes is very powerful. I was expecting a more novel/story about Mary, but what Houselander does is offer her reflection on Mary's story and tie in what it means to be human with the call to holiness we each have. If you want a book to inspire you, this one will. If you want a story to help you grow in your faith, this one will. If you want to build a deeper connection with Mary, look no further than this book. If you want a self help/reflection/betterment book, this one has that. If I could give this 10 stars I would.

Beautiful reflection on Mary’s role and our own

I purchased and was charged for one copy of the book that was unreadable. This book was perfect. The book is a beautiful meditative text and this copy presented as it should be. I had to buy two different publishers to get one I could read. I'm glad I persevered.

I bought this book several years ago and only recently started reading it, slowly. It is what I would call a "process" book i.e. not one to speed through but one to ponder, like Mary, and really drink in rather than just get "informed" by information. I recommend it for anyone who is ready to be closer to Our Lady.

Life altering. Deeply moving and enlightening. I will read this again and again. There’s just too much richness in this book.

This is a book to read again and again. Beautiful.

One of the better discussions of Mary. Caryll Houselander does not see Mary as someone to be worshipped, floating around creating miracles after her death, and so on. She views Mary in a Christocentric way, which is most appropriate. I wouldn't refer to this book as "life changing" as Haley Stewart did on the front cover, but it is worth your time.I probably won't return to this book, so will likely donate it to my local St. Vincent store.

Our Catholic women's group is studying this book very slowly (a few pages a week) it is poetic and thought provoking.The podcast Abiding Together did a lovely 4 week study that unpacks this book.If you are looking for a slower reading group that incorporates the lives of the Saints as intercessors in growing closer to Jesus through the living example of Mary, check out Mount Carmel Place of Prayer website. We have a Catholic women's prayer group weekly featuring this book in 2024.

J'ai lu ce livre en tant que Protestante. La vie de Marie m'a toujours interpellé. Ici, on décrit plutôt la vie de Marie et la vie de Christ en elle et le développement à voir le Christ dans d'autres personnes. Ecrit d'une manière très intellectuel quand même et laisse rêveur. Toujours d'actualité alors que le livre est écrit dans la vie de l'écrivaine - pendant la deuxième guerre mondiale. Fascinant et à garder dans sa bibliothèque pour relire.I read this book as a Protestant believer and was always a bit fascinated by the Virgin Mary. In this book, the author describes the life of Mary and the life of Christ within her and how we can see the life of Christ in other people. This is a very intellectual piece of work and makes one think and dream a bit. It is pretty current, even if it was written during the Second World War. Really fascinating and worth keeping on the bookshelf to read it again (and again).

I lived this book so much I’m buying it for all my friends!

The author shows us our Lady made of flesh and blood, helping us to find God in our daily life. I recomend the reading of this book to all

She's still the best. Deserves a life-time study. Have discovered her late. Caryll's analogy of "Reed" is SO apt, Mary being the perfect musical instrument - Reed, Flute - for the Holy Spirit to "pipe" the Divine melody of Salvation . . a Child, Jesus. Mary fulfilled her mission. Mary's Spouse, the Holy Spirit, fulfilled her "Fiat". With Christ's sacrificial life, ministry, passion, death, and Resurrection, WE, little reeds, through our Baptism, are now called upon to allow the same Holy Spirit-with-His-spouse-Mary to compose and play the "tune" meant to "sound" through our life, for the life of the Body of Christ.