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Saints of Augustine
Sam Findley and Charlie Perrin. Best friends. At least they used to be. But a year ago Sam cut Charlie out of his life--no explanation, no discussion, nothing. Fast-forward one year, and both Sam's and Charlie's lives are spiraling out of control. Sam has a secret he's finding harder and harder to hide, and Charlie is dealing with an increasingly absent dad and a dealer whose threats are anything but empty. As told in alternating chapters from Sam and Charlie during the sticky Florida summer before their senior year, the ex-best friends are thrown together once again when they have no one else to turn to. P. E. Ryan's Saints of Augustine is a witty, enthralling, and unforgettable novel about the power of friendship.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published June 1, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
June 19, 2010
I read this book a year ago but had the urge to review it, so pardon whatever mistakes I make. "Saints of Augustine" are about two ex-best friends named Sam and Charlie who are both going through some tough times in their lives. Charlie's mom recently passed away, and ever since his dad has been acting distant and detached from him. He owes money to the guy who he's been getting pot from, and his girlfriend is in the process of breaking up with him. Sam is getting just as bad, or worse, than Charlie. His mom divorced her dad because he was gay, and now he has been realizing that it might be the same way with him. If anyone were to find out, it would certainly be the end of him.
Even though I read this book a long, long time ago I still remember how much it touched me. The characters were real, the plot was light-hearted, and the emotion really brought everything to life. This book was a refreshing read, and the only thing that puzzles me about it is - why is it named "Saints of Augustine"?
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Even though I read this book a long, long time ago I still remember how much it touched me. The characters were real, the plot was light-hearted, and the emotion really brought everything to life. This book was a refreshing read, and the only thing that puzzles me about it is - why is it named "Saints of Augustine"?
Want to read more of my writing, including my book reviews? Check out my blog.
April 12, 2011
Es el tipo de libro que (si fueras del gremio) te remonta a tu adolescencia. Entonces, terminás valorando la sensación de nostalgia más que el libro per se. Lo cual no es malo, porque conseguir ese tipo de efectos tiene su mérito.
El argumento va de situaciones sencillas y personales en la vida de dos hijos de la Yankilandia, sus pequeñas vidas con sus pequeños problemas; de no haber involucrado un gay llorica como personaje principal, seguramente no hubiese pasado del primer capítulo. Como sí hubo un gay llorica, no solamente lo pasé sino que lo disfruté. Eso sí, hay momentos en los que desborda cursilería en cantidades industriales.
El argumento va de situaciones sencillas y personales en la vida de dos hijos de la Yankilandia, sus pequeñas vidas con sus pequeños problemas; de no haber involucrado un gay llorica como personaje principal, seguramente no hubiese pasado del primer capítulo. Como sí hubo un gay llorica, no solamente lo pasé sino que lo disfruté. Eso sí, hay momentos en los que desborda cursilería en cantidades industriales.
June 6, 2017
Sometimes there are books that blow you out of the water with their brilliance, and sometimes there are books that leave you seething with rage at their missed opportunities and poor characterization, dialogue, etc. Saints of Augustine falls into neither category. Although it didn't do anything revolutionary, it's a book I can't find any fault with whatsoever--and that's saying a lot, considering how nitpicky I am. No, I just liked this book start to finish. It was a quick, engrossing read about two boys and their broken friendship over the course of the summer before their senior year and it covers a wide range of topics--substance abuse, death, alcoholism, sexuality--without becoming overly treacly or cliched.
I liked both characters. Sam and Charlie's chapters were equally interesting to read; both of their plights felt real and the way that they dealt with their problems also felt real. Teenagers are tricky to write; they can either come off sounding way too juvenile or wise beyond their years. But Sam and Charlie both sound like actual sixteen/seventeen-year-old boys. The details of their friendship were also handled delicately and realistically, and the way their stories collide in the novel's final chapters doesn't feel contrived in the least. The supporting characters are also well-drawn and likable; I particularly liked Sam's mother and Justin. The budding romance between two characters, while not given too much attention, was one of the cuter "first date/first kiss" scenarios I've come across in a while.
This book is a little more quiet than your average YA novel, but I found the lack of melodrama refreshing. It made the characters' actions feel more authentic. Ultimately, this is a gentle, sincere story about how two guys drifted apart from one another and were ultimately drawn back together one summer when their lives began to spin out of control. And this book only proves that the mundane isn't boring at all, that the smaller moments in life can mean the world, as long as you tell your story effectively. It was nice to see a more subdued take on subjects that in other books would have been treated with more pizzazz. I was really impressed by the ending, which left things neat enough to leave me satisfied, but open-ended enough to feel realistic.
No, Saints of Augustine is nothing spectacular. It's not going to rock anybody's world. It doesn't have the heart-melting cuteness of other entries in the genre like Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda or the dark drama of More Happy Than Not. But it is pleasant and completely sweet, and sometimes what you need is a sweet, optimistic book about friendship and healing and the difficulty of adolescence. This was entirely enjoyable and, although it's predictable, it's told so well that I can't complain.
4 stars.
I liked both characters. Sam and Charlie's chapters were equally interesting to read; both of their plights felt real and the way that they dealt with their problems also felt real. Teenagers are tricky to write; they can either come off sounding way too juvenile or wise beyond their years. But Sam and Charlie both sound like actual sixteen/seventeen-year-old boys. The details of their friendship were also handled delicately and realistically, and the way their stories collide in the novel's final chapters doesn't feel contrived in the least. The supporting characters are also well-drawn and likable; I particularly liked Sam's mother and Justin. The budding romance between two characters, while not given too much attention, was one of the cuter "first date/first kiss" scenarios I've come across in a while.
This book is a little more quiet than your average YA novel, but I found the lack of melodrama refreshing. It made the characters' actions feel more authentic. Ultimately, this is a gentle, sincere story about how two guys drifted apart from one another and were ultimately drawn back together one summer when their lives began to spin out of control. And this book only proves that the mundane isn't boring at all, that the smaller moments in life can mean the world, as long as you tell your story effectively. It was nice to see a more subdued take on subjects that in other books would have been treated with more pizzazz. I was really impressed by the ending, which left things neat enough to leave me satisfied, but open-ended enough to feel realistic.
No, Saints of Augustine is nothing spectacular. It's not going to rock anybody's world. It doesn't have the heart-melting cuteness of other entries in the genre like Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda or the dark drama of More Happy Than Not. But it is pleasant and completely sweet, and sometimes what you need is a sweet, optimistic book about friendship and healing and the difficulty of adolescence. This was entirely enjoyable and, although it's predictable, it's told so well that I can't complain.
4 stars.
January 11, 2009
This was a slow book to get into, but in the end, I enjoyed it. It's not at the top of my to recommend list, because I really don't recall much more about it other than the impression that I appreciated how Ryan approached their friendship and the tension Sam brought to it because he wasn't able to own up to his homosexuality or how that would affect his friendship. In the end, it was a non-issue. However—and perhaps this is one of the thinking points for this novel—was it a non-issue because of who Charlie is or because of Charlie's own loneliness during the past year and his newfound appreciation for the what he and Sam had?
Saints of Augustine was a finalist for this year's Lambda Literary Award in the Children's/YA category. (Apparently Hero won the award; though I think this is the best book of the five titles in the running for the award in this category, I still don't think it should have been in this category. Coming-of-age story does not equal YA novel.)
Saints of Augustine was a finalist for this year's Lambda Literary Award in the Children's/YA category. (Apparently Hero won the award; though I think this is the best book of the five titles in the running for the award in this category, I still don't think it should have been in this category. Coming-of-age story does not equal YA novel.)
February 14, 2019
~3.5
CW: drugs, sexual references
CW: drugs, sexual references
May 14, 2014
Good read for me. I zipped through it pretty easily (in a good way). Sam is relatable to a lot people. Not in being gay, but assuming the worst of situations by assuming what others think instead of finding out what they actually think. It gets you into more trouble than you bargained for. Trouble you thought you were going to avoid by deceiving yourself. Life will never be perfect and not everyone will agree with who you are, what you say, and what you do. But don't hide yourself from the people who care about you. And if it does come down to the topic of sexual orientation, the people who really care for you will continue to love you no matter what. If not, then you move on. Don't blame yourself for being honest. Being You is what's important. *[MILD SPOILER]* Sam is happier now, whether or not Justin decides to stick with him. But I think Justin will (in my opinion).
July 17, 2011
Well-meaning but ultimately dull small-town America coming-of-age story involving two former best friends, one of whom happens to be gay and both of whom have their problems. As, indeed, who doesn't? Lazy characterisation: the gay boy just happens to have a female best friend who was born to be a stereotypical fag hag (can you still say that? Whatever the current term is, if not), and both characters' boyfriend and girlfriend respectively are too perfect, mature and understanding to ring remotely true to life.
October 27, 2013
I really enjoyed this book. It is about two boys trying to figure themselves out during the summer of their junior year of high school. I enjoyed the book because the conflicts within the book are relatable to problems that young people face today. I liked the emotion the author gave off throughout the story. I also enjoyed how the chapters alternated from one character to another making it so that the plot did not really drag on.
October 12, 2009
This book was pretty good, in that there was nothing horribly wrong with it. But in terms of depth and realism it was totally a YA novel, rather than being an intelligent and complicated novel with a teenage protagonist. All loose ends were very neatly tied up, although I did like the ending: an e-mail composed to the date the narrator literally ran away from after their first kiss.
August 9, 2007
This was a good fast read. Other than that, there isn't anything too special about it.
February 23, 2019
They say you should never trust the hype. Well, they would be a 100% right.
So what's this book about. Sam and Charlie used to be mates. But Sam decided to ditch Charlie because, you see, Sam is gay and he has a crush on Charlie, and he just can't deal. Okay. Cool.
Fast forward one year. Sam's parents are separated. His dad ran off with another man (because, see, he's gay too), and his mom just got a new boyfriend, Teddy, who's a homophobic asshole (and one of the most annoying characters ever to be written. Seriously, how many fucking stupid nicknames can this guy come up with?), he still deeply closeted and he has a crush on the new guy.
Things are not much better for Charlie. His mom died of cancer and his dad is wallowing in depression so he's basically become the parent in the house. He's also turned into a pothead, which his sanctimoniously judgemental girlfriend disapproves of, and he owes a lot of money to his dealer. And the dealer his getting real impatient.
Yikes.
The book is supposed to tell the story of how these hardships will allow Sam and Charlie to find their way back to each other and revive their friendship. And okay, this does technically happen by the end of the book, but in such a stilted and unrealistic way that the reader is left wondering if that friendship wouldn't have been better off remaining buried after all.
I have to say, though, that I have a soft spot for Charlie as a character. He makes a lot of bad decisions and he is understandably lost, but at his core, you can just feel that he is a nice and decent guy. Sam on the other hand is... Ugh. The archetypal petulant, whiny, self-centered brat who thinks he's smarter and knows better than everyone else. He really doesn't deserves a friend like Charlie. But what can I say? Sometimes gold choses to associate with garbage.
I won't bother mentioning the other characters because quite frankly, they might as well not have been there at all for all the sad accumulation of clichés that they were.
This book wasn't just insanely boring and poorly written; it was also populated by the biggest population of assholish characters I've stumbled upon in a long time.
Plus, I feel like at some point, the author felt just as tired of writing this shit as I felt reading it, because the ending is so rushed, it's like he literally just gave up telling his story. Not that I'd mind. Because if there's any redeeming quality to this book, it's that it had the good grace of being short.
Hard pass.
So what's this book about. Sam and Charlie used to be mates. But Sam decided to ditch Charlie because, you see, Sam is gay and he has a crush on Charlie, and he just can't deal. Okay. Cool.
Fast forward one year. Sam's parents are separated. His dad ran off with another man (because, see, he's gay too), and his mom just got a new boyfriend, Teddy, who's a homophobic asshole (and one of the most annoying characters ever to be written. Seriously, how many fucking stupid nicknames can this guy come up with?), he still deeply closeted and he has a crush on the new guy.
Things are not much better for Charlie. His mom died of cancer and his dad is wallowing in depression so he's basically become the parent in the house. He's also turned into a pothead, which his sanctimoniously judgemental girlfriend disapproves of, and he owes a lot of money to his dealer. And the dealer his getting real impatient.
Yikes.
The book is supposed to tell the story of how these hardships will allow Sam and Charlie to find their way back to each other and revive their friendship. And okay, this does technically happen by the end of the book, but in such a stilted and unrealistic way that the reader is left wondering if that friendship wouldn't have been better off remaining buried after all.
I have to say, though, that I have a soft spot for Charlie as a character. He makes a lot of bad decisions and he is understandably lost, but at his core, you can just feel that he is a nice and decent guy. Sam on the other hand is... Ugh. The archetypal petulant, whiny, self-centered brat who thinks he's smarter and knows better than everyone else. He really doesn't deserves a friend like Charlie. But what can I say? Sometimes gold choses to associate with garbage.
I won't bother mentioning the other characters because quite frankly, they might as well not have been there at all for all the sad accumulation of clichés that they were.
This book wasn't just insanely boring and poorly written; it was also populated by the biggest population of assholish characters I've stumbled upon in a long time.
Plus, I feel like at some point, the author felt just as tired of writing this shit as I felt reading it, because the ending is so rushed, it's like he literally just gave up telling his story. Not that I'd mind. Because if there's any redeeming quality to this book, it's that it had the good grace of being short.
Hard pass.
June 27, 2018
When I read the summary I thought it would be a book about 2 past friends who would fix their friendship and maybe fall in love. The love story wasn't between them which is fine by me, the main characters don't necessarily need to end up together and the summary wasn't really hinting at that anyway.
However, what I found annoying is that for a 300 pages book supposedly about fixing their friendship, they had their first interaction in the last 100 pages, and their first real conversation in the last 80 pages or so. 2/3 of the book is more about each of their struggle, but during these 200 pages they saw each other from afar once and we had like one flashback to explain why they didn't talk to each other, which by the way was a really stupid reason.
The romance was pretty much insta love. They saw each other 3 times and Sam was already starting to have feelings for the guy.
It's a quick read but overall I feel like nothing really happened.
However, what I found annoying is that for a 300 pages book supposedly about fixing their friendship, they had their first interaction in the last 100 pages, and their first real conversation in the last 80 pages or so. 2/3 of the book is more about each of their struggle, but during these 200 pages they saw each other from afar once and we had like one flashback to explain why they didn't talk to each other, which by the way was a really stupid reason.
The romance was pretty much insta love. They saw each other 3 times and Sam was already starting to have feelings for the guy.
It's a quick read but overall I feel like nothing really happened.
August 1, 2019
Picked this up at the end of the school year from our school library's free book discard pile. Surprisingly one of the most enjoyable and freshest coming of age stories I've read in quite some time, despite being published over 10 years ago. I think that actually adds to the charm of the story, where the novel is still a recent contemporary narrative, but (just) before social media and technology became so ingrained into daily life. A current trend I see in YA and coming of age novels, or just media aimed at a younger audience in general is an attempt to tackle the "online" aspect of teenage life and how absorbing internet culture and digital communication can be, often being portrayed in an unrealistic or cringeworthy way; however, Saints of Augustine was a well-written, relieving break from this, with all of the aspects that make a solid coming of age tale.
May 29, 2018
Une belle histoire d'amitié perdue puis retrouvée.
Il m'a peut-être manqué un soupçon d'originalité pour que ce soit un coup de cœur. De plus, j'aurais aimé que les routes des 2 personnages se croisent plus tôt dans le récit.
On passe plus des 3/4 du livre en alternant les chapitres du point de vue de l'un et de l'autre sans aucune interaction entre les deux. Ceci dit, ça permet de mieux connaitre les deux personnages et les problèmes que chacun peut rencontrer dans sa vie.
C'est une belle histoire qui parlera à ceux qui ont partagé un lien d'amitié puissant avec quelqu'un un jour avant de le perdre. Un beau message qui montre à quel point à deux on est plus fort et qu'on peut avancer ensemble.
Il m'a peut-être manqué un soupçon d'originalité pour que ce soit un coup de cœur. De plus, j'aurais aimé que les routes des 2 personnages se croisent plus tôt dans le récit.
On passe plus des 3/4 du livre en alternant les chapitres du point de vue de l'un et de l'autre sans aucune interaction entre les deux. Ceci dit, ça permet de mieux connaitre les deux personnages et les problèmes que chacun peut rencontrer dans sa vie.
C'est une belle histoire qui parlera à ceux qui ont partagé un lien d'amitié puissant avec quelqu'un un jour avant de le perdre. Un beau message qui montre à quel point à deux on est plus fort et qu'on peut avancer ensemble.
August 3, 2018
I had no idea what to expect from this book, but I did rather enjoy it.
We follow two characters who used to be best friends but haven't talked in over a year. Both are dealing with stuff - Charlie's mum died and his dad has hit the boose, while Charlie himself is in deep trouble with his weed dealer. Sam is dealing with his parents divorce and his mum's new boyfriend, while also discovering his sexuality.
Told in alternative perspectives, I felt we really got to know each character. The book was cute, sad, uplifting and realistic.
We follow two characters who used to be best friends but haven't talked in over a year. Both are dealing with stuff - Charlie's mum died and his dad has hit the boose, while Charlie himself is in deep trouble with his weed dealer. Sam is dealing with his parents divorce and his mum's new boyfriend, while also discovering his sexuality.
Told in alternative perspectives, I felt we really got to know each character. The book was cute, sad, uplifting and realistic.
June 17, 2020
I don’t even remember when I read this. I was in middle school, I think. It was comforting to find a young adult novel that focused on being gay. I was a closeted queer boy when I read this, it made me feel less different/weird/“othered”. I’m sure it hasn’t aged well, but I’m glad my local library (Brooks Free Library in Harwich, MA) was progressive enough to carry this.
July 1, 2023
Charlie and Sam are teenagers and former friends, who live in St Augustine, Fl. Both are dealing with
serious, life changing issues on their own, because fear and secrecy has ended their friendship. Charlie still doesn't understand why Sam stopped talking to him or how to fix things before it's too late.
serious, life changing issues on their own, because fear and secrecy has ended their friendship. Charlie still doesn't understand why Sam stopped talking to him or how to fix things before it's too late.
July 12, 2018
Saints of Augustine was a quick read, but slow for me to get into. It felt like an “eh, three stars” read most of the way. The last few chapters, though, rubbed some healing salve on my “inner gay teen wounds” and I was glad I stuck with the story through to the end :)
June 20, 2017
Since I can't click on 64192304681 stars I just have to tell you how much I absolutely LOVE this book. I read it in about two hours and could not put it down.
September 11, 2017
This book made me learn a new word. Spigot!
HA.
HA.
November 29, 2022
3.90/5
November 14, 2025
was kinda boring
September 5, 2010
Sam Findley and Charlie Perrin used to be best friends, until last summer Sam stopped talking to Charlie. Now, the summer before their senior year, Charlie’s mother is dead, his father is an alcoholic, and he’s in debt to a pot seller; Sam’s not faring much better–his parents are divorced, his mother’s new boyfriend is a jerk, and his dad is in Europe with his new boyfriend. To get through the summer, the two will have to learn about themselves and reunite with each other, if only because that’s what best friends are for.
The story is told in alternating chapters, which really lets you get to know each of the two main characters, even when their lives aren’t intersecting. By the end of the novel, I felt like I knew each of them very well and they were fleshed out wonderfully. The supporting characters aren’t given nearly the development of the two protagonists, but they all feel very real and three-dimensional. I also noted that P. E. Ryan managed to capture how teenage boys think perfectly–this is really what is going on inside guys’ heads.
The story is very interesting, and both of the characters have bad stuff coming at them from all angles. How they deal with those problems is where it all comes together, and I liked how eventually the two stories came together. Sam’s story resonated especially well with me, not because I’ve been through anything similar, but because I really understood where he was coming from. Charlie’s struggles with his father are truly gut-wrenching.
I very much enjoyed Saints of Augustine, and while it doesn’t have flashy action, it manages to embody the teenage boy. Recommended.
The story is told in alternating chapters, which really lets you get to know each of the two main characters, even when their lives aren’t intersecting. By the end of the novel, I felt like I knew each of them very well and they were fleshed out wonderfully. The supporting characters aren’t given nearly the development of the two protagonists, but they all feel very real and three-dimensional. I also noted that P. E. Ryan managed to capture how teenage boys think perfectly–this is really what is going on inside guys’ heads.
The story is very interesting, and both of the characters have bad stuff coming at them from all angles. How they deal with those problems is where it all comes together, and I liked how eventually the two stories came together. Sam’s story resonated especially well with me, not because I’ve been through anything similar, but because I really understood where he was coming from. Charlie’s struggles with his father are truly gut-wrenching.
I very much enjoyed Saints of Augustine, and while it doesn’t have flashy action, it manages to embody the teenage boy. Recommended.
January 2, 2016
This book was okay, it just felt like I've read it before, a million times over...
Between the two of them Charlie was the stronger, more defined character, his troubles (losing his mom, having to deal with an alcoholic, depressed father, losing his best friend without knowing why, turning to drugs) were just more relatable than Sam's constant whining about stuff. I'd have loved to see more about Charlie dealing with his drug problem - even if it wasn't so severe - or maybe getting help for himself and his father, his storyline just ended so abruptly.
Sam's character was just kind of plain and boring, just your typical kid coming to terms with his sexuality, while his family is less than perfect. Read it before and I'd seen it done better. Justin was a cliche and, to put it simply, a plotdevice to get the ball rolling, and his instalove with Sam just made me cringe.
There was the ever-present miscommunication - or rather not-communication on Sam's part - which I can't bring myself to tolerate anymore, it's just so overused nowadays. It was also kind of weird that our two MCs didn't even have a scene together for almost the entire book. It felt like I was reading two entirely different books, one I was kind of interested in, and one I was not. The scene where they finally came together and sorted out their shit was fine, it just happened way too late in the story.
This wasn't a bad book by any means, the writing style was solid, it was a fast read, there was nothing particularly wrong or offensive about it, it's just didn't move me in any way.
Between the two of them Charlie was the stronger, more defined character, his troubles (losing his mom, having to deal with an alcoholic, depressed father, losing his best friend without knowing why, turning to drugs) were just more relatable than Sam's constant whining about stuff. I'd have loved to see more about Charlie dealing with his drug problem - even if it wasn't so severe - or maybe getting help for himself and his father, his storyline just ended so abruptly.
Sam's character was just kind of plain and boring, just your typical kid coming to terms with his sexuality, while his family is less than perfect. Read it before and I'd seen it done better. Justin was a cliche and, to put it simply, a plotdevice to get the ball rolling, and his instalove with Sam just made me cringe.
There was the ever-present miscommunication - or rather not-communication on Sam's part - which I can't bring myself to tolerate anymore, it's just so overused nowadays. It was also kind of weird that our two MCs didn't even have a scene together for almost the entire book. It felt like I was reading two entirely different books, one I was kind of interested in, and one I was not. The scene where they finally came together and sorted out their shit was fine, it just happened way too late in the story.
This wasn't a bad book by any means, the writing style was solid, it was a fast read, there was nothing particularly wrong or offensive about it, it's just didn't move me in any way.
May 14, 2008
Reviewed by Katie Hayes for TeensReadToo.com
Ever since Charlie's mother died, his father has been distant, drinking too much and never wanting to talk, least of all about the loss they've suffered. Charlie deals with things by smoking pot all the time--even though he now owes more money than he can come up with to a drug dealer, and even though his habit is threatening his relationship with his girlfriend. Things would be easier if his former best friend, Sam, was still around. But their friendship ended abruptly when Sam told Charlie, without explanation, that he no longer wanted to see him.
What Charlie doesn't know is that Sam has his own problems. His parents have split up, and his mom's horrible boyfriend has moved in with them. Sam's father, meanwhile, is in a relationship with another man, and Sam doesn't know what he'd do if anyone found out. But Sam is hiding an even bigger secret: he is also gay. When Sam meets a boy with whom he shares a mutual attraction, the truth he's tried to deny threatens to come out.
SAINTS OF AUGUSTINE is told from both Sam's and Charlie's points of view, in alternating chapters. Both of them seem very true-to-life, and the dialogue is realistic. The story also has a very honest resolution, and the plot kept me interested all the way through. It's also nice to see a young adult novel that deals so frankly with issues facing gay teenagers. All in all, this is a terrific book.
Ever since Charlie's mother died, his father has been distant, drinking too much and never wanting to talk, least of all about the loss they've suffered. Charlie deals with things by smoking pot all the time--even though he now owes more money than he can come up with to a drug dealer, and even though his habit is threatening his relationship with his girlfriend. Things would be easier if his former best friend, Sam, was still around. But their friendship ended abruptly when Sam told Charlie, without explanation, that he no longer wanted to see him.
What Charlie doesn't know is that Sam has his own problems. His parents have split up, and his mom's horrible boyfriend has moved in with them. Sam's father, meanwhile, is in a relationship with another man, and Sam doesn't know what he'd do if anyone found out. But Sam is hiding an even bigger secret: he is also gay. When Sam meets a boy with whom he shares a mutual attraction, the truth he's tried to deny threatens to come out.
SAINTS OF AUGUSTINE is told from both Sam's and Charlie's points of view, in alternating chapters. Both of them seem very true-to-life, and the dialogue is realistic. The story also has a very honest resolution, and the plot kept me interested all the way through. It's also nice to see a young adult novel that deals so frankly with issues facing gay teenagers. All in all, this is a terrific book.
July 6, 2018
What a lovely story.
Saints of Augustine is written in the alternating POVs of Charlie and Sam, two soon-to-be seniors whose friendship has ended suddenly. It's been about a year since they have talked, and quite a lot has happened during this time.
For Charlie, life hasn't been so easy. Dealing with the death of his mother and a father who drinks away his sadness, Charlie has turned to drugs to help ease the burden of his problems. Things aren't going so great with his girlfriend and his drug dealer isn't very happy with him.
Sam isn't having such an easy time either—his parents have recently gotten divorced. As if things didn't already seem difficult, Sam now has to deal with the jerk his mother calls her boyfriend. He's rude and homophobic, which isn't exactly helping Sam feel content with his own sexuality.
Despite the difficulties these two boys face, this book is incredibly touching. It's the kind of story where you feel like you're experiencing everything right beside the characters. There's a feeling I got while reading this that I can't quite explain. Perhaps at home. I'm not exactly sure. I can't directly relate to the situations in which Charlie and Sam were in, but the emotions are so genuine and powerful that it's not hard to find yourself in Saints in Augustine.
Saints of Augustine is written in the alternating POVs of Charlie and Sam, two soon-to-be seniors whose friendship has ended suddenly. It's been about a year since they have talked, and quite a lot has happened during this time.
For Charlie, life hasn't been so easy. Dealing with the death of his mother and a father who drinks away his sadness, Charlie has turned to drugs to help ease the burden of his problems. Things aren't going so great with his girlfriend and his drug dealer isn't very happy with him.
Sam isn't having such an easy time either—his parents have recently gotten divorced. As if things didn't already seem difficult, Sam now has to deal with the jerk his mother calls her boyfriend. He's rude and homophobic, which isn't exactly helping Sam feel content with his own sexuality.
Despite the difficulties these two boys face, this book is incredibly touching. It's the kind of story where you feel like you're experiencing everything right beside the characters. There's a feeling I got while reading this that I can't quite explain. Perhaps at home. I'm not exactly sure. I can't directly relate to the situations in which Charlie and Sam were in, but the emotions are so genuine and powerful that it's not hard to find yourself in Saints in Augustine.
July 2, 2008
This is a story of two teen boys - Sam and Charlie - who have become estranged best friends during their junior year of high school. In the summer before senior year, both boys go through life-changing experiences. Sam, whose parents are recently separated, realizes that not only is his father gay, he is too. Charlie, who recently lost his mother to Leukemia, battles with his feelings of grief and his father's drinking and emotional distance. Both teens struggle to make sense of their issues, and after they each have a horrible day both boys find themselves in the park at the same time and decide to share what's been happening because since their friendship fizzled, neither has had a close friend to talk to.
The story is well written and the characters believable. The author did a great job of capturing the angst of each boy and bringing them back together wasn't forced or contrived, it was natural and believable. The story also takes place in St.Augustine, FL where I vacationed to see my grandmother when I was young, so that was an added bonus.
Good selection for a teen GLBT display/collection/booklist.
The story is well written and the characters believable. The author did a great job of capturing the angst of each boy and bringing them back together wasn't forced or contrived, it was natural and believable. The story also takes place in St.Augustine, FL where I vacationed to see my grandmother when I was young, so that was an added bonus.
Good selection for a teen GLBT display/collection/booklist.
December 14, 2007
Over a year ago, Sam and Charlie were best friends, but then Sam told Charlie it was over. Since then Charlie's mother has passed away, his father is shoving his tears into the bottom of a bottle and Charlie has racked up a sizable debt to the local pot dealer. Just when he thinks things can't get any worse, sure enough, they do.
But all is not sunny on Sam's side of the fence. His parents have gotten divorced and now his father is living with a new person- a boyfriend as it turns out. This is not as upsetting to Sam as the thought that he too might be gay and his mother's new boyfriend is a completely obnoxious homophobe. Just when he thinks things can't get any worse, sure enough, they do.
On what seems like the absolute worst night of these teenagers' lives, they run into each other once again, and finally realize the importance of having one true friend.
I really enjoyed this book and found it to be refreshingly honest and optimistic.
But all is not sunny on Sam's side of the fence. His parents have gotten divorced and now his father is living with a new person- a boyfriend as it turns out. This is not as upsetting to Sam as the thought that he too might be gay and his mother's new boyfriend is a completely obnoxious homophobe. Just when he thinks things can't get any worse, sure enough, they do.
On what seems like the absolute worst night of these teenagers' lives, they run into each other once again, and finally realize the importance of having one true friend.
I really enjoyed this book and found it to be refreshingly honest and optimistic.
April 28, 2012
Ryan, who has written adult novels, has created an interesting experience for LGBT teens in his first YA book. At one point Sam and Charlie were best friends, but in the 6th grade, Sam ended the relationship suddenly and with no explanation. As the novel progresses each boy, in separately told chapters, must come to deal with the mounting problems of adolescence, including drugs, homosexuality, heterosexuality, familial relationships, and other obstacles thrown in their way. As they approach their senior year of high school during the hot St. Augustine, Florida summer, each boy must confront his own beasts, until they can find a way to confront them together.
This novel has an excellent pace, outstanding writing and an exciting theme. Sam and Charlie become real people as the reader gets into the novel. The various problems each boy faces provide insight and excitement.
I highly recommend this novel.
This novel has an excellent pace, outstanding writing and an exciting theme. Sam and Charlie become real people as the reader gets into the novel. The various problems each boy faces provide insight and excitement.
I highly recommend this novel.
August 16, 2013
This was a pretty good book. Charlie and Sam are (were) best friends, then suddenly, they're not. However, this isn't the main focus of the book, though it is a theme. The book focuses more on each individual life, alternating perspectives (but still narrated in the third person). Sam is having problems because
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