Publication
Boston : Little, Brown, c2000.
Collection
Call number
Fiction P
Physical description
325 p.; 25 cm
Status
Available
Call number
Description
Fiction. Mystery. Suspense. HTML:In Boston, a young woman finds herself pregnant�??even though she is still a virgin. In Ireland, another young woman discovers she is in the same impossible condition. And in cities all around the world, medical authorities are overwhelmed by epidemics, droughts, famines, floods, and worse. It all feels like a sign that something awful is coming. Anne Fitzgerald, a former nun turned private investigator, is hired by the Archdiocese of Boston to investigate the immaculate conceptions. Even as she comes to care about and trust the young women, she realizes that both are in great danger. Terrifying forces of light and darkness are gathering. Stepping into uncharted territory where the unknown is just the beginning, Anne must discover the truth�??to save the young women, to save herself, and to protect the future of all mankind.… (more)
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Genres
User reviews
LibraryThing member sloepoque
James Patterson knows how to write page turners; now if he'd just learn how to write them better he might be onto something. In this mess of a novel, two young girls are both pregnant, and both girls claim to be virgins. One of them bears the Child of God, and one of them will deliver the Child of
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Satan. It almost drives the characters in this book crazy to know which woman will deliver which child. By the end, I really didn't care so much. Show Less
LibraryThing member skinglist
Honestly, he needs to stick with crime. He really does. It wasn't just the premise of this book that I found inane but I found his writing in this piece to be fairly lacklustre. I didn't identify with any of the characters and found his conclusion to be quite preposterous.
I love James Patterson and
I love James Patterson and
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this book won't change that thought, but I think I'll steer clear of his non-crime books from now on. Show Less
LibraryThing member debavp
Very quick read. A bit far fetched plot, but a suprise ending.
LibraryThing member thorswitch
A few years back, James Patterson released "Cradle and All," which was actually an updated and polished version of this book, which came out in the mid-to-late 80's. I remember reading it back then, and I enjoyed it enough that the story has stuck with me all these years. I've just started reading
I can't say that "Virgin" was a work of great literature - but that kind of applies to most of what Patterson writes, and, really, it's kind of irrelevant. Patterson's books aren't *meant* to be high art. They're more of your summer action blockbuster where you sit back and let the story take you for a ride. "Virgin" did just that. I read it quickly because it was just too hard to put it down.
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"Cradle and All," in large part to see how the way the world has changed since it's original release is reflected in the revamping. I can't say that "Virgin" was a work of great literature - but that kind of applies to most of what Patterson writes, and, really, it's kind of irrelevant. Patterson's books aren't *meant* to be high art. They're more of your summer action blockbuster where you sit back and let the story take you for a ride. "Virgin" did just that. I read it quickly because it was just too hard to put it down.
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LibraryThing member thorswitch
Back in the 80's, I read the original version of this book, "[book: Virgin]" (I've got a short review of that version on it's page, if you're interested.) It was a fun little story and really kept me guessing.
"Cradle and All" is almost like a totally different book, written on the same basic
"Cradle and All" struck me as being a lot more developed than "Virgin" was, and there are a number of changes from the original - including, if I'm remembering correctly, an interesting little twist on the ending. Patterson does a great job giving each character a distinct voice, and most of the non-supernatural events play out in a convincing way - especially the media circus!
The only letdown for me was that, especially with some of the newer material (and especially with the twist at the end,) there are some questions that are left uncomfortably open. I would have loved to have found out more about what happens to the girls, and there are some supernatural events that - during the main part of the story seem to fit in quite well, but once I got to the end, I felt that some of them ended up not making a lot of sense.
Those letdowns aside (and they're not huge letdowns) the book was really good and kept me interested enough for me to keep coming back to it. As I said in my review of the original "Virgin," it's not high art, and it's not meant to be. It's your summer-blockbuster suspense flick where you check your logic at the door and enjoy the ride.
"Cradle and All" is almost like a totally different book, written on the same basic
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theme. Essentially, both books tell the story of two girls who are virgins, but have inexplicably become pregnant. Of course, the Roman Catholic Church is involved, sending priests to investigate and to see if they can determine if one of them actually is carrying the new Messiah. "Cradle and All" struck me as being a lot more developed than "Virgin" was, and there are a number of changes from the original - including, if I'm remembering correctly, an interesting little twist on the ending. Patterson does a great job giving each character a distinct voice, and most of the non-supernatural events play out in a convincing way - especially the media circus!
The only letdown for me was that, especially with some of the newer material (and especially with the twist at the end,) there are some questions that are left uncomfortably open. I would have loved to have found out more about what happens to the girls, and there are some supernatural events that - during the main part of the story seem to fit in quite well, but once I got to the end, I felt that some of them ended up not making a lot of sense.
Those letdowns aside (and they're not huge letdowns) the book was really good and kept me interested enough for me to keep coming back to it. As I said in my review of the original "Virgin," it's not high art, and it's not meant to be. It's your summer-blockbuster suspense flick where you check your logic at the door and enjoy the ride.
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LibraryThing member BookWhisperer
It was a theory that to children would be have emaculant conceptions. One would be pregnant with the anti christ the other would be the son of god. This is a book of many intertwining relationships, and the mass kaos that would be started if this were to actually happen. This book was very
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interesting and also included a wild twist that the end. Show Less
LibraryThing member Jadesbooks
For some reason, this is the scariest James Patterson book that I have ever read. It's not that there is a whole lot of boggie man feel to this one, but after I finished reading this one, I was hoping that he would not write a sequil to this storyline. It really freaked me out the way the demon
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child with multiple eyes was watching from a distance....so creepy! Show Less
LibraryThing member thejonesgal
Unusual book for Patterson.
2 virgins are pregnant, one may be the 2nd coming of Jesus. The Vatican gets involved. Very interesting.
2 virgins are pregnant, one may be the 2nd coming of Jesus. The Vatican gets involved. Very interesting.
LibraryThing member ANovelMenagerie
The Review
I’ve loved James Patterson FOREVER. He’s just one of those authors whose books I sink into and soar through. Perfect for poolside or avoiding the kids, Patterson always delivers up a great story. I was recently reviewing 8th Confession at a soccer game and a soccer dad mentioned that
So, soccer dad actually brought me the book to read last weekend. Cool! After reading a very long and detailed book, I was looking forward to a little PATTERSON ESCAPE! And, that’s exactly what I got. This is a great story of two virgin births, one girl giving birth to our savior and the other the child of Satan himself (scary). Patterson keeps you guessing until the bitter end as to which girl will bring the world God’s son.
Knowing that I can’t giveaway too many of the details of a mystery in a review, I am just putting this question out there to James Patterson fans who have read more of his works than I… is there a sequel to this book? Patterson leaves that possibility at the end and I’m dying to read on if there is one!
This book was a #1 Bestseller and I can see why!
On Sher’s “Out of Ten Scale:”
Like Nicholas Sparks and Lisa See, I just love anything that James Patterson writes. I doubt that I’ll ever find one of his books that I don’t like. I’m just a fan, plain and simple. For the genre Fiction:Mystery, I am going to rate this book an 8 OUT OF 10.
I’ve loved James Patterson FOREVER. He’s just one of those authors whose books I sink into and soar through. Perfect for poolside or avoiding the kids, Patterson always delivers up a great story. I was recently reviewing 8th Confession at a soccer game and a soccer dad mentioned that
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he and his wife read the entire Woman’s Murder Club series. As we chatted, I mentioned that I really liked The Lake House and Suzanne’s Diary for Nicholas. There are several of his classics that I actually haven’t read and will keep my eye out for at a used book sale. Speaking of used book sales… I picked up 3 of his books (hardcover) for $3 each.. SCORE! But, I should read Along Came a Spider and Kiss The Girls and I don’t have those yet. I’m also wondering if the Maximum Ride series is good… if you’ve read them let me know in a comment below.So, soccer dad actually brought me the book to read last weekend. Cool! After reading a very long and detailed book, I was looking forward to a little PATTERSON ESCAPE! And, that’s exactly what I got. This is a great story of two virgin births, one girl giving birth to our savior and the other the child of Satan himself (scary). Patterson keeps you guessing until the bitter end as to which girl will bring the world God’s son.
Knowing that I can’t giveaway too many of the details of a mystery in a review, I am just putting this question out there to James Patterson fans who have read more of his works than I… is there a sequel to this book? Patterson leaves that possibility at the end and I’m dying to read on if there is one!
This book was a #1 Bestseller and I can see why!
On Sher’s “Out of Ten Scale:”
Like Nicholas Sparks and Lisa See, I just love anything that James Patterson writes. I doubt that I’ll ever find one of his books that I don’t like. I’m just a fan, plain and simple. For the genre Fiction:Mystery, I am going to rate this book an 8 OUT OF 10.
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LibraryThing member sexysuzy
i enjoyed this one as i do most of j p books
LibraryThing member Djupstrom
Good, but not great.
LibraryThing member DCarlin
Cradle and All was a thoroughly enjoyable holiday e-read. I did not pick the ending and while the plot was a little out there by today’s scientific standards it was one which was a real page turner and kept my interest until the very end.
The religious theme may be off putting to some readers but
The religious theme may be off putting to some readers but
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I found it quite enjoyable. Show Less
LibraryThing member jfe16
An unexplained pandemic, a far deadlier form of polio, is reaching epidemic proportions in Los Angeles, Boston, famines and floods are rampant in Mexico and Asia.
And two girls, claiming to be virgins, are pregnant. Are they the fulfillment of the Fatima miracle in which the Virgin Mary gave a
The archdiocese hires a former nun turned private investigator, the Vatican sends its chief investigator of miracles; their task is to determine the truth . . . and to protect whichever child is the Messiah.
This reworking of Patterson’s “Virgin” [1980] offers readers enough twists and turns in the fast-paced plot to keep the pages turning to the surprisingly wicked twist.
And two girls, claiming to be virgins, are pregnant. Are they the fulfillment of the Fatima miracle in which the Virgin Mary gave a
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prophecy to three small children? According to the prophecy, one child will be the Messiah, the other the Antichrist. The archdiocese hires a former nun turned private investigator, the Vatican sends its chief investigator of miracles; their task is to determine the truth . . . and to protect whichever child is the Messiah.
This reworking of Patterson’s “Virgin” [1980] offers readers enough twists and turns in the fast-paced plot to keep the pages turning to the surprisingly wicked twist.
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LibraryThing member LVStrongPuff
This book is not what I thought it was going to be. It was a nice read, but it seemed to be choppy. I had to reread a chapter because I felt like I missed something. I liked the character Anne. I felt bad for the two virgins in the book. The ending was a nice twist. I wish there as another book. I
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would like to know what happened after the end of the book. Show Less
LibraryThing member PaulaGalvan
The ancient hope that a new messiah would someday be born to save the world is a topic I never imagined James Patterson would explore, but I found this book to be engaging and suspenseful. I always enjoy this author's no-nonsense way of writing and his ability to create wonderful characters, and he
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did not disappoint. Fathers Nicholas Rosetti and Justin O'Carroll are sent to investigate two young girls who appear pregnant yet virgins. One is Kathleen Beavier—a rich girl living in America—who has a past but seems intact. The other is Colleen Galaher—an impoverished fourteen-year-old living in the Irish village of Maam Cross. As the investigation intensifies, the world erupts in unexplained famines, floods, and a new polio epidemic, as if something evil is approaching. Things escalate when Rome sends in another investigator—this time a woman—Anne Fitzgerald, a long time friend of the Church and Father O'Carroll's. Just when I thought I had the end predicted, the plot twisted into another direction I didn't see coming, which I found very satisfying. Show Less
LibraryThing member kaylol
I loved it! Couldn't put it down till I finished it.
LibraryThing member opinion8dsngr
A cheap, quick, read about two pregnant virgins and a bunch of panicing clergy. It does keep you guessing for quite a while. Patterson does not succeed in writing like a woman as much as he does in some of his other work (i.e. When the Wind Blows), there are a couple of rather big plot holes, and
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it requires suspension of belief to the point of difficulty. But, it is an interesting romp through one author's interpretation of sex and religon-based fiction. Show Less
LibraryThing member purple_pisces22
Loved this book! 4.5 stars. This is the James Patterson worth reading. A former nun must investigate not one, but two modern day immaculate conceptions. Of course the Catholic Church cannot imagine such a thing actually occurring. There are definitely the expected religious references, and although
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I was raised catholic, you don’t have to be Catholic to understand. I could actually see this turning into a series. I wanted more when the book ended and I haven’t read a Patterson book like that in a while. Show Less
Language
Original publication date
2000
ISBN
9780316690614