Patron Saint of Liars : A Novel

Rating:
Summary: A Rose by any other name would stay put.
Review: Themes throughout the book - Those Who Stay and Those Who Leave, resonate, particularly through Son's narrative. The placement of the story is unique and offers a look at those who can neither stay nor leave, but are simply waiting. But while I was touched by sections of the story (particularly through Son's narrative), I was frustrated by Rose's actions. I reread her narrative and had a difficult time understanding the extremeness of her actions - what function in her past told her to run instead of facing those who loved her - and what would catapult her into the life she chose to lead. Other than that, the novel is lovely, soft and warm and sad. There's a lot to discuss. I look forward to reading more Patchett.

Rating:
Summary: Good discussion book
Review: This book is well written and held my interest, but I must say up front that the overall air of the book is melancholy. My book group is reading this book right now, and I know it will provide for a lively discussion. The setting, a home for "unwed mothers" in rural Kentucky, is brought to life clearly and beautifully. The two main characters, Rose and Son, are interesting and unusual. The book reveals how the choices they make when they are young stay with them the rest of their lives and are passed into the life of the child they raise together. The weakest feature of the book for me was that I had trouble believing that Rose and Son would really make some of the life decisions that they did.

Rating:
Summary: Lovely and lyrical
Review: This is Patchett's first novel, and she's gotten better and better. If I hadn't read Bel Canto before this one, I'd have awarded 5 stars.
Divided into 3 parts, the book spans the lives of its three main characters: Rose, a woman with 'issues' who has trouble attaching to people but tries to do her job in life as well as she's able. Son, Rose's 2nd husband, is a giant of a man who is damaged by a tragedy and finds a place for himself as handyman in a 60's home for unwed mothers. And Cecelia, named after a tattoo on Son's arm of his first love, damaged by her weird upbringing but a complete person nonetheless, thanks to the mothering of the 'saint' in the story,, a clairvoyant nun who mothers them all.
I loved this book.

Rating:
Summary: A Real Novel
Review: This is the kind of contemporary novel I yearn for, yet seldom find. Everything that happens in this novel is unexpected and inexplicable, yet powerful and magical. Detail is complex, as is theme. I so loved reading it that I drew it out for days because I did not want the novel to end. Lovely.

Rating:
Summary: A Real Novel
Review: This is the kind of contemporary novel I yearn for, yet seldom find. Everything that happens in this novel is unexpected and inexplicable, yet powerful and magical. Detail is complex, as is theme. I so loved reading it that I drew it out for days because I did not want the novel to end. Lovely.

Rating:
Summary: Engaging Story
Review: This was an engaging story, filled with strong characters and a well-developed plot. Wanting to know how the story would end and not being able to imagine an appropriate ending, I read the book within 2 days.