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A review by alertnerd
Patron Saints of Nothing by Randy Ribay
5.0
I had read a review that described this book as ‘heartbreaking’ and I think that’s really accurate. Each new chapter felt like a punch to the guy as Jay discovered new details about his cousin’s death. Reading the book while I am currently grieving made it even more impactful.
I really like how Ribay chose to show the complexities of being an addict and also of loving an addict. I was worried that throughout the whole story, Jun’s possible addiction was being framed as a reason for his murder. Jay was treating it like he didn’t deserve to be murdered because he wasn’t an addict, instead of saying he didn’t deserve to be murdered period.
I also felt like it did a good job of showing how we idolize those who have died. Jay began to see Jun how he wanted him to be, instead of seeing how he truly was. He began to excuse his faults and didn’t believe any of the mistakes he had made. I liked how late in the story Jay found out that Jun actually was an addict and this made him see him for who he truly was and realize that he was still a good person even though he made mistakes.
The one thing I didn’t really like about the story was the love story between Jay and Mia. It felt a little tacked on at the last minute. I was glad that it wasn’t further developed because I didn’t feel like it added anything to the story. I didn’t find myself really rooting for their relationship, so I didn’t care if they ended up together or not.
I really like how Ribay chose to show the complexities of being an addict and also of loving an addict. I was worried that throughout the whole story, Jun’s possible addiction was being framed as a reason for his murder. Jay was treating it like he didn’t deserve to be murdered because he wasn’t an addict, instead of saying he didn’t deserve to be murdered period.
I also felt like it did a good job of showing how we idolize those who have died. Jay began to see Jun how he wanted him to be, instead of seeing how he truly was. He began to excuse his faults and didn’t believe any of the mistakes he had made. I liked how late in the story Jay found out that Jun actually was an addict and this made him see him for who he truly was and realize that he was still a good person even though he made mistakes.
The one thing I didn’t really like about the story was the love story between Jay and Mia. It felt a little tacked on at the last minute. I was glad that it wasn’t further developed because I didn’t feel like it added anything to the story. I didn’t find myself really rooting for their relationship, so I didn’t care if they ended up together or not.