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jaroszynski 's review for:
Ordinary Saints
by Niamh Ní Mhaoileoin
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I highly recommend this book!!! Current fav of the year for me personally. Following Jay and her coming to terms with her religious past and her feelings in her family and Ferdia who is to be sainted was an absolute emotional delight to read. I felt tears attempting to escape through multiple times and was absolutely shocked at some of the reveals
It was also just fascinating learning about the canonisation process and the relationship between the church and the lgbtq+. It avoided talking about a lot of the bigotry that some queer individuals may face and while I believe that’s fine it was a tad disappointing it wasn’t touched upon. However viewing the relationships between individual queer and Christian people and family members I still felt was highly realistic (and relatable) and how our differences in belief shouldn’t divide us outright, there is still room to talk and form understanding even if we can’t see eye to eye. I adored how being able to “walk away” and keeping distance until one is ready to talk was also portrayed in a healthy light as well, incredibly well done.
Highly recommend, I’ll stop talking here as not to accidentally spoil anything!!!
It was also just fascinating learning about the canonisation process and the relationship between the church and the lgbtq+. It avoided talking about a lot of the bigotry that some queer individuals may face and while I believe that’s fine it was a tad disappointing it wasn’t touched upon. However viewing the relationships between individual queer and Christian people and family members I still felt was highly realistic (and relatable) and how our differences in belief shouldn’t divide us outright, there is still room to talk and form understanding even if we can’t see eye to eye. I adored how being able to “walk away” and keeping distance until one is ready to talk was also portrayed in a healthy light as well, incredibly well done.
Highly recommend, I’ll stop talking here as not to accidentally spoil anything!!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Suicide attempt, Lesbophobia