Scan barcode
A review by shhanson
The Patron Saint of Liars by Ann Patchett
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This literary novel has been on my tbr for five years (yes, you read that right) ever since I read the first couple pages in a book shop.
Those first pages sucked me in by the beautiful words and the strong sense of place. I was there in that little town where the healing spring appeared. I could see the pasture and the hotel turned home for unwed mothers.
The story starts zoomed out, with the town and the spring and how the magnificent hotel came to be left to the Catholic church. Then it turns into the voice of three different people. First, the main character, Rose, then the handy man and lastly, Rose's daughter. I wouldn't say Rose is necessarily a likable character, but she tries to do what she thinks is right, even though the urge to get in her car and just keep driving never goes away. And the way the author writes makes you wonder what kind of hidden stories each person you meet in real life might be holding on to.
The reader is the only one who gets to see the whole story, and while I would've liked more of it to come to light for the characters in the end, it works.
If you like literary novels, character driven novels, and well written novels, you'll like this one!
Those first pages sucked me in by the beautiful words and the strong sense of place. I was there in that little town where the healing spring appeared. I could see the pasture and the hotel turned home for unwed mothers.
The story starts zoomed out, with the town and the spring and how the magnificent hotel came to be left to the Catholic church. Then it turns into the voice of three different people. First, the main character, Rose, then the handy man and lastly, Rose's daughter. I wouldn't say Rose is necessarily a likable character, but she tries to do what she thinks is right, even though the urge to get in her car and just keep driving never goes away. And the way the author writes makes you wonder what kind of hidden stories each person you meet in real life might be holding on to.
The reader is the only one who gets to see the whole story, and while I would've liked more of it to come to light for the characters in the end, it works.
If you like literary novels, character driven novels, and well written novels, you'll like this one!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death