From inside front cover: In the ancient town of Ephesus, Mary lives in exile, years after her son's crucifixion. She has no interest in collaborating with the authors of the Gospel -- her keepers, who provide her with food and shelter and visit her regularly. ... Living alone and in fear, she tries to piece together the events that led to her son's brutal death, and judges herself ruthlessly for not remaining at the foot of the cross until her son died, for fleeing to save herself. ... In a voice that is both deeply tender and filled with bitter rage, she emerges as a woman of immense moral stature.