The Patron Saint of Liars

By: Ann Patchett

Narrated by: Julia Gibson

A New York Times Notable Book

Acclaimed author Ann Patchett's debut novel, hailed as ""beautifully written . . . a first novel that second- and third-time novelists would envy for its grace, insight, and compassion” (Boston Herald)

St. Elizabeth’s, a home for unwed mothers in Habit, Kentucky, usually harbors its residents for only a little while. Not so Rose Clinton, a beautiful, mysterious woman who comes to the home pregnant but not unwed, and stays. She plans to give up her child, thinking she cannot be the mother it needs. But when Cecilia is born, Rose makes a place for herself and her daughter amid St. Elizabeth’s extended family of nuns and an ever-changing collection of pregnant teenage girls. Rose’s past won’t be kept away, though, even by St. Elizabeth’s; she cannot remain untouched by what she has left behind, even as she cannot change who she has become in the leaving.

©1992 Ann Patchett (P)2007 HarperCollins Publishers

Critic reviews

"Thoughtful....a complex character study." (Library Journal)

"In an assured, warm, and graceful style, a moving novel that touches on the healing powers of chance sanctuaries of love and fancy in the acrid realities of living." (Kirkus Reviews)

If you like a sad story with sad characters then this is a book for you

I have read and enjoyed some of her other books But this particular book is a sad book with sad characters. One thing that was very strange was occasionally throughout the narration it would stop and then some strange music would come on and then when you got back to the book after the music and it was the exact same spot. it wasn’t like they were transitioning to a new place in the book. It was unbelievably annoying . This was not a book for me

Evocative

Narration was excellent, but I found the musical transitions jarring and disruptive to the flow.

Didn’t love the ending Too many loose ends.Feld like Cicelia had a right to know & so did Thomas

I didn’t love the ending. Too many loose ends . Ceceila had a right to know and so did Thomas

Good story

I enjoyed the story. Did not like the main character.
The music interludes where unnecessary and annoying.
The narrator was good with the voices.

Great Ann Patchett characters

I absolutely hated the music interspersed what seemed randomly. I recognize the music from some of the Audio originals; Better placed in those pieces.

Kept waiting for something to happen…

Pretty one-dimensional characters , and unlikeable main character . Nothing much happened and the ending was unsatisfying.

Unfortunately, it could be true.

It’s just sooo sad - all the way thru. I think I will forever hate the name Rose. Yes, people can be that selfish and narcissistic. Not sure why I couldn’t just put the book down except that it’s so well written I had to see where the author would take me. Didn’t see any rhyme or reason for the weird music. It didn’t match the time or place of the scene. I ignored it. I do recommend the book.

Great until the end

I really enjoyed this book… Until the end. The end was very abrupt, and tied up zero loose strings. The narrator did a wonderful job, bringing characters to life, and making me very invested in the characters, which made it that much harder to have no closure for any character at the end. The musical transitions were very annoying and did not seem to be appropriate for this particular book.

The characters

I did not care for the musical breaks in the chapters. I also did not like the voices of narrators. Too flat.

Ann Patchett is the Saint of good writing

Where does The Patron Saint of Liars rank among all the audiobooks you???ve listened to so far?

While the story is somewhat unrealistic, Ann's writing is so enchanting and Julia Gibson's reading so comfortable, it is a wonderful read/listen. You learn a lot about other times and other places, told only the way Patchett can tell it.

I am a real Patchett fan after reading

Who was your favorite character and why?

I loved them all but like the nun who

What does Julia Gibson bring to the story that you wouldn???t experience if you just read the book?

Her voice, the clarity and intonation are delicious.

If you could rename The Patron Saint of Liars, what would you call it?

Unwed Women

Any additional comments?

If I had a magic wish it would be to have a long lunch with Ann Patchett.