The Annunciation of Francesca Dunn - by Janis Hallowell (Paperback)

About the Book

What would happen if an ordinary teenager were suddenly proclaimed a modern-day Holy Virgin? That is the premise of Janis Hallowell's wise and provocative debut novel, told from the viewpoints of four unforgettable characters.

From the Back Cover

A remarkable debut novel that 'dares us to imagine mystery in our lives, in our time㿠book that sends us away refreshed, with the potential to see the sacramental in the everyday' - Boston Globe

Told from the viewpoints of four unforgettable characters, The Annunciation of Francesca Dunn is the story of an ordinary girl who is believed to be a modern-day Holy Virgin. At the heart of the story is Francesca: a shy and moody teenager hungry for her absent father's love, she is frightened and intoxicated by her sudden elevation to the rank of divine. Chester is a visionary homeless man who first 'discovers' Francesca and makes himself her protector. Anne is Francesca's no-nonsense mother, whose religion is Darwin and biology. Sid is Francesca's troubled friend, who keeps a few secrets of her own.

Tender and tragic, their intersecting stories probe the need to believe, and the relationship between divinity and madness. Beautifully crafted, here is a compelling first novel that heralds the arrival of a powerful new talent.

Review Quotes

"Janis Hallowell writes with lucid grace..." - Donna Gershten, author of Kissing the Virgin's Mouth
"Skillfull ... delightful ...charming .... the characters are quirky, troubled, and appealing, and we'd be willing to follow them just about anywhere." - Boulder Daily Camera
"Beautifully written and brimming with strong, appealingly eccentric characters...raises intriguing questions about the nature of contemporary faith and religion." - BookPage
"A unique novel about the human yearning for the divine and the divine possibility in human beings. Beautifully written and thought-provoking, it will steal your heart." - Sue Monk Kidd, author of The Secret Life of Bees
"[A] gently probing, gorgeously written debut novel . . . This book is nothing short of divine." - USA Today
"Provocative and suspenseful." - People-4 stars, Critic's Choice
"An intriguing and memorable look at what might happen if a modern-day miracle did occur." - Booklist
"THE ANNUNCIATION OF FRANCESCA DUNN asks poignant emotional questions, striving to define reality and redemption in a troubled world." - Rocky Mountain News