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The Saints of Lost Things
Louisiana, 1965, and an unlikely, inevitable couple.
Sammy Teague and Betsy Duplechain have grown up right next door to each other, but in different worlds, with expectations and circumstances that have always kept them separate. Now, as a powerful September hurricane bears down on the Louisiana coast, those worlds will come face to face.
The choices they make will send them on an odyssey north and into the fall of 1965, as the brutal and envious sheriff Percy Parris pursues them. Along the way they meet an unusual and eclectic series of people who help them become more than what they were.
As fall turns to winter, their lives will change forever in the wake of a storm named Betsy.
The Saints of Lost Things is a story of love, hope, and perseverance, and envy and bitterness. And the remarkable power of kindness.
Sammy Teague and Betsy Duplechain have grown up right next door to each other, but in different worlds, with expectations and circumstances that have always kept them separate. Now, as a powerful September hurricane bears down on the Louisiana coast, those worlds will come face to face.
The choices they make will send them on an odyssey north and into the fall of 1965, as the brutal and envious sheriff Percy Parris pursues them. Along the way they meet an unusual and eclectic series of people who help them become more than what they were.
As fall turns to winter, their lives will change forever in the wake of a storm named Betsy.
The Saints of Lost Things is a story of love, hope, and perseverance, and envy and bitterness. And the remarkable power of kindness.
336 pages, Paperback
First published December 3, 2014
62 people are currently reading
768 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
January 17, 2015
As I finished this beautifully written novel, I found myself wishing that I was not at the end so that I could continue to read about the characters and their lives. The author's descriptive prose gives incredible life to Sammy and Betsy and the people they encounter. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and highly recommend it.
September 25, 2017
I hope Mr. Lawler will not be offended by my referencing another author in the first line of writing up my thoughts about The Saints of Lost Things. In March 2016, my favorite author, Pat Conroy, passed away. He wrote with magic at his fingertips about all things South Carolina and the low country. In reading two out of three of C.H. Lawler's books, I feel as though I have found an author who holds Louisiana culture with a similar type of fondness, respect, and magic as Conroy described his South Carolina.
In The Saints of Lost Things, Lawler intertwines a story about Hurricane Betsy, Vietnam and the draft, Louisiana cultural crossroads, --- and, as he describes in his own words, "an inevitable love story." This author knows, respects, and loves Louisiana and Cajun country. He also understands the social and historical hierarchy of southern Louisiana and he writes about the sweetness, beauty, and atrocities of both people and geography with rich details that make his scenes come to life.
I am looking forward to reading Living Among the Dead next and I am hoping C.H. Lawler is in the process of dreaming up many more stories.
In The Saints of Lost Things, Lawler intertwines a story about Hurricane Betsy, Vietnam and the draft, Louisiana cultural crossroads, --- and, as he describes in his own words, "an inevitable love story." This author knows, respects, and loves Louisiana and Cajun country. He also understands the social and historical hierarchy of southern Louisiana and he writes about the sweetness, beauty, and atrocities of both people and geography with rich details that make his scenes come to life.
I am looking forward to reading Living Among the Dead next and I am hoping C.H. Lawler is in the process of dreaming up many more stories.
December 14, 2014
Seriously! Check out this book (and not just because I helped edit it some!) I absolutely love to read and I do read a LOT! And this book is right up there with a lot of my favorites, so it's going on my bookshelf to be reread again and again (which I do with quite a lot of books that I've fallen in love with over the years)
1/2 way through reading it for editing purposes, I blew that off and just read for the sheer pleasure of it - I had to find out what happened to these two people and I was so thrilled with the whole story when I finished it, that I didn't mind at all going back to the beginning and reading it again!
The author has a way of describing people, the environment, and the atmosphere of a moment in the most beautiful language. He brings the story to life, draws you into the lives of Sammy & Betsy, and has you hoping and praying that only good things happen to these good people. The people they meet along their journey reminded me that we all have unique people who come into and out of our lives and we should appreciate and pay more attention to them - treat them with the kindness we would each want for ourselves.
Some of my favorite books involve good men and/or women living a good life no matter what life throws at them. They aren't brought down by circumstances for long, they rise above, they do the right thing even in the toughest times. And this book has those types of people, people you'd want to know in real life, people you'd be proud to call your friends
1/2 way through reading it for editing purposes, I blew that off and just read for the sheer pleasure of it - I had to find out what happened to these two people and I was so thrilled with the whole story when I finished it, that I didn't mind at all going back to the beginning and reading it again!
The author has a way of describing people, the environment, and the atmosphere of a moment in the most beautiful language. He brings the story to life, draws you into the lives of Sammy & Betsy, and has you hoping and praying that only good things happen to these good people. The people they meet along their journey reminded me that we all have unique people who come into and out of our lives and we should appreciate and pay more attention to them - treat them with the kindness we would each want for ourselves.
Some of my favorite books involve good men and/or women living a good life no matter what life throws at them. They aren't brought down by circumstances for long, they rise above, they do the right thing even in the toughest times. And this book has those types of people, people you'd want to know in real life, people you'd be proud to call your friends
September 27, 2015
It's hard to say what I liked most about The Saints of Lost Things: the Southern Gothic flavor, the 60's nostalgia (really well done, and I know my 60's) the vividly diverse characters, the romance, or the undercurrent of suspense that kept the pages turning. Not to mention the humor tucked away in unexpected places, such as sisters Pearlina and Opalina, one the housekeeper at a sorority, the other keeping a house of not so different girls. I'd love to see those postcards.
I received this book for free through the goodreads First Reads program.
I received this book for free through the goodreads First Reads program.
December 23, 2014
I loved this book!! The book is extremely well written. I really appreciated the descriptive text; it made me feel as if I was really there to experience the sights, smells and energy of the bayou during and after Hurricane Betsy. The characters were well developed and the plot led you through the passion, frustration, fear, and joy of the story of the two main characters. I couldn't put it down!!
December 31, 2016
This was one of the hardest books for me to put down. I had to limit myself to a couple chapters a night or else I wouldn't have gotten any sleep. I found that the closer I got to the end of the book, the more disappointed I got, but only because it was coming to an end. This is definitely a must read!!!
November 24, 2015
I love reading stories set in places I know, and this was no exception. It was a very fun and entertaining read. Plenty of emotion, some suspense and twists to add to the excitement. Amazing first book for the author, I am very excited to read more!
December 22, 2014
Wonderful story of an unlikely love coming to fruition. I highly recommend this debut novel- it's an easy read with characters that draw you in, hold your attention and win your heart.
August 19, 2019
C.H. Lawler is an amazing author! If you are looking for a good southern novel, look no further.
February 29, 2020
Great binge read
Riveting. Did not put down once.
History, mystery, and romance in one read. Well done. Ready to read the supporting characters stories
Riveting. Did not put down once.
History, mystery, and romance in one read. Well done. Ready to read the supporting characters stories
June 17, 2020
Great read
Great book that was hard to put down. Loved the story line which made you feel like you were right there.
Great book that was hard to put down. Loved the story line which made you feel like you were right there.
March 13, 2017
What a sweet, throughly satisfying story! It's the kind of book that when it ends, you know you will miss it.
February 25, 2024
This book was a wonderful surprise for me. A trip down memory lane. Mostly great memories…some not so much. I grew up in south Louisiana during the 60’s and 70’s.
The book opens with Hurricane Betsy’s raging winds slowly whipping at tree limbs, flattening sugarcane stalks and ripping shingles from roofs. And then, of course, comes the flooding—marsh mud inside your house is never a pleasant experience.
I remember exactly where I was when this was actually happening on September 9, 1965. I was in the direct path of my first ever hurricane. I was seven years old and my family lived on the River Road in St. James Parish, one parish north of LaFourche Parish. Our house was located about a half mile from the Sunshine Bridge. I remember watching it as it was being constructed. Hurricane Betsy made its unwelcomed intrusion right up the Mississippi River directly over the Sunshine Bridge and my house.
I also had a Della Mae. Her name was Marian, just like my momma’s. Marian took care of me when I was a child. She did housework while my momma and daddy ran our small mom and pop grocery store. The store was connected to our house, so, when Betsy came through, not only did it threaten our home, but also our livelihood. Marian taught me how to iron clothes …starting with pillowcases and my dad’s handkerchiefs.
Chapter 11 introduces the Vietnamese War, which is the underlying plot of this novel. That war affected so many lives. It affected my life with the death of my cousin after stepping on a land mine. Larry Tregre, my mother’s godchild, was only twenty-one years old. I was eleven and it was my first funeral.
I really love this story and the way the author tightly wove all the strands together in the end. I gave it 4 stars……really 4.5 stars, because I felt it was a little wordy and developed too slowly in parts. Honestly, I was more intrigued by the historical aspect of the story than the actual plot. However, I thought the narrative was beautifully written.
I could go on and on with memories that have been shaken loose from the forgotten past of my childhood, but instead, I want to thank Mr. Lawler for the memories.
I recommend “The Saints of Lost Things”! Mais yeah……it’s a good read.
One last thing. I wish I could hear my momma call me Sha be-bee just one more time.
The book opens with Hurricane Betsy’s raging winds slowly whipping at tree limbs, flattening sugarcane stalks and ripping shingles from roofs. And then, of course, comes the flooding—marsh mud inside your house is never a pleasant experience.
I remember exactly where I was when this was actually happening on September 9, 1965. I was in the direct path of my first ever hurricane. I was seven years old and my family lived on the River Road in St. James Parish, one parish north of LaFourche Parish. Our house was located about a half mile from the Sunshine Bridge. I remember watching it as it was being constructed. Hurricane Betsy made its unwelcomed intrusion right up the Mississippi River directly over the Sunshine Bridge and my house.
I also had a Della Mae. Her name was Marian, just like my momma’s. Marian took care of me when I was a child. She did housework while my momma and daddy ran our small mom and pop grocery store. The store was connected to our house, so, when Betsy came through, not only did it threaten our home, but also our livelihood. Marian taught me how to iron clothes …starting with pillowcases and my dad’s handkerchiefs.
Chapter 11 introduces the Vietnamese War, which is the underlying plot of this novel. That war affected so many lives. It affected my life with the death of my cousin after stepping on a land mine. Larry Tregre, my mother’s godchild, was only twenty-one years old. I was eleven and it was my first funeral.
I really love this story and the way the author tightly wove all the strands together in the end. I gave it 4 stars……really 4.5 stars, because I felt it was a little wordy and developed too slowly in parts. Honestly, I was more intrigued by the historical aspect of the story than the actual plot. However, I thought the narrative was beautifully written.
I could go on and on with memories that have been shaken loose from the forgotten past of my childhood, but instead, I want to thank Mr. Lawler for the memories.
I recommend “The Saints of Lost Things”! Mais yeah……it’s a good read.
One last thing. I wish I could hear my momma call me Sha be-bee just one more time.
August 22, 2018
This book is about love, chances, luck, kindness, & perseverance. Betsy & Sammy grew up across the yard from each other, but given the fact that he was the son of the plantation owner, & she the daughter of the tenant farmer, their worlds were worlds apart. Until the hurricane evacuated both of their families, & they stayed to watch their homes. When hers flooded, he went down & brought Betsy & her dog & the mule up to the big house & moved her into his married sister's room. It was during the hurricane they fell in love, & after the hurricane when their families returned, that they were forced to return to their old lives. Things happened, & it started in motion a sad game of cat & mouse while they tried to find their way back to each other. It's a truly Southern book, set in the 1960's, & the characters are believable. A really good debut book for this author!
July 2, 2023
Books like this are the reason I'm glad for the existence of the internet and independent publishers. It's always a risk to take a book from an indie publisher. While you may find a true hidden gem you also have to slog through a lot of very bad writing. So it was a pleasant surprise to find this novel by CH Lawler. I loved the story, I loved the characters, I loved the message. The only thing I didn't care for was the subplot with the evil Deputy character. Honestly, if every single bit of narrative of that story was cut out I probably would have given this book 5 stars. I know the character was there mostly to act as a foil to the main characters and their relationship but the Vietnam War on its own could have served that purpose just as well. The Deputy was an unnecessary intrusion on an otherwise beautifully written novel.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
August 9, 2015
I received this novel free through a Goodreads Giveaway, so many thanks to the author for the opportunity to read it.
I did enjoy it in the main but must be honest, I did not find it a gripping read and wandered off to read other books twice before returning to finish it. It got off to a slow start and the characters were not particularly captivating early on - although this did grow with time. I also found the constant close misses a bit repetitive and predictable.
Having said that, I did enjoy the sense of time and place. While this is not an outstanding novel, it's worth a read.
I did enjoy it in the main but must be honest, I did not find it a gripping read and wandered off to read other books twice before returning to finish it. It got off to a slow start and the characters were not particularly captivating early on - although this did grow with time. I also found the constant close misses a bit repetitive and predictable.
Having said that, I did enjoy the sense of time and place. While this is not an outstanding novel, it's worth a read.
May 9, 2015
I struggled with how many stars, and eventually settled for 4. This story takes the reader 360 degrees, which I always like. I enjoyed the catholic, southern, and louisiana undertones of this story. Although, there are parts of the book that are a bit to happily ever after. Over all, it was a love story rooted in Louisiana, therefore it was happy read.
April 29, 2015
This novel was well written and keeps you interested! It is not just a love story, but also a depiction of the south in the 60's and a couple's determination to find each other against all odds. I loved it and cannot wait to read another book by this author!
March 22, 2016
I received a copy of this book through the Goodreads First-Reads giveaway.
I love the story and the characters. It was a bit slow in the beginning but picked up pace and I really enjoyed it. I don't want to giveaway anything, but I did cheer for a mule close to the end.
I love the story and the characters. It was a bit slow in the beginning but picked up pace and I really enjoyed it. I don't want to giveaway anything, but I did cheer for a mule close to the end.
December 19, 2014
Great love story. Captures your attention from the first page. Definitely one to keep on your bookshelf to be re-read many times.
February 17, 2015
Great read!!! Lots of great quotes!!
April 27, 2015
A gripping story told by an author with a true gift for description. Do yourself a favor and take a chance on new author! Once you pick it up you won't put it down
April 30, 2015
Beautiful, descriptive writing.
July 16, 2015
I was pleasantly surprised at how good this book was. I was immediately sucked in and read until 3am on the first night! Well done, Dr Lawler!
September 24, 2016
Excellent book - C. H. Lawler's books are wonderful - you can't put them down.
November 8, 2019
Very good read!
August 16, 2015
Written by the son-in-law of my childhood neighbor! Enjoyed the story, write a sequel.
July 3, 2016
Enjoyed this book very much.
May 7, 2017
A few months ago I read a more recent book by Lawler, The Memory of Time. I enjoyed it so much I searched Amazon and found The Saints of Lost Things, a book he had written earlier. While not as complex in design as The Memory of Time, this book does an equally good job of capturing a historical time and place, and populating it with believable characters. From the sugar cane fields of Thibodeaux, Louisiana, to Ole Miss in the mid sixties, Lawler gives us a page turner. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and look forward to his next one.
May 27, 2021
I listened to the audiobook with John McConnell as the narrator and his voice for Betsy really bugged me for some reason. This wasn't the reason that I rated it as ok but I wouldn't suggest listening to the audiobook. I am from Louisiana by the way. The book just never captured me. It was too long and drawn out for me.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews