On the Southern Literary Trail discussion

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I just now requested at the library. This will be my second book by Patchett.

Thank goodness for Hoopla since none of my libraries or e libraries have this!

I have read 5 so far. Commonwealth was my favorite and Bel Canto was great as well.
Looking forward to reading another.

Alas, too many books on my schedule!

I hope I can fit this in.

I read this one too many years ago to count, so I may reread if I have time.

I loved this book, one of my favorites by Ann Patchett. And I also loved the pre-1990 winner, ‘Walking Across Egypt.’ Highly recommend both and hope to reread one or the other with the group next month.

Have this on my Fire Kindle and plan to read it very soon

I plan to read asap

I finished my last audiobook, The Bookwoman of Troublesome Creek, so I can squeeze this one into my schedule this month. I have to say, all three books picked this month sound great, but I have enjoyed Ann Patchett’s writing in the past, so I am starting out with this one.

It's very good Terry. After reading Bel Canto years ago, my first Ann Patchett, I went back and read Taft and Patron Saint of Liars. Her early work was every bit as good.

Diane, i am just couple chapters in and already enjoying it!

It gets better with every chapter. There is something truly wonderful about the way this author expresses herself!

Patchett has the knack of putting the reader inside her characters. You feel a personal responsibility to them, if that makes any sense.

I'm hoping to read this later in the month.

Well put, Diane!

I am enjoying the novel, overall. However, I will say that it is a challenge for me (as a single mother from a difficult relationship) to empathize with Rose's character! Like all lit lovers, being able to picture myself as another person is part of the lure of reading. I am working very hard to read Rose objectively, but man! I just feel like all of her actions (up to page 60) are just so, so selfish. So, it is good that I am being challenged to think about the Rose's right to be true to her individual self, vs. what she might owe to her loved ones. It is definitely a challenge for me, though!

The setting just sounds so marvelous. I've never even thought of what the Kentucky landscape might be like. I am anxious to see how Angie's narrative unfolds... and those nuns, I wish I had a snapshot of their origin stories.

Cheryl, it is hard to relate to Rose because she lies unceasingly and hides truths too. She does have some redeeming features, but I agree with you that it is not easy to like her.

I think the time period is 1968, which incidentally, at the age of eighteen, I also ran away from home, so I guess I have some things in common with Rose. It was a difficult time in my life (although not pregnant) and it was a tumultuous time for young people, so I was not alone and Rose seems not so unusual to me from that standpoint. She is also young, and at that age we are still developing our brains while trying to separate from our parents and their seemingly antiquated ideas, who had a different set of experiences forming their lives. There were a lot of external pressures. This is not to excuse bad behavior, but Patchett doesn’t really explain those times very well in this book. 1967 was the summer of love, the Vietnam War was killing all the boys, our mother’s ideas for women were that they got married and had babies not jobs, there was no “me too” movement, and our parents didn’t understand how the world was changing, or didn’t feel it in the same way.

I also thought the change of point of view from Rose’s to Son’s was a bit abrupt. (Chapter 8, I think.)

Overall, though, I am really enjoying listening to this story. There have been moments where I would underline sentences, but alas, I am listening and don’t have a written copy. One real test for me is when, in my car where I listen, I arrive at my destination and stay in my car to finish a segment or a chapter.

Hope to start this by today. I have book and I’m looking forward to it. I may also download audio from hoopla if storyline is easy to follow.

@Terry - thanks to your warning, I wasn't as jolted by the narrative shift as you were. I'm reading on a Kindle, and would have noticed the "table of contents" if it was a physical copy in hand. I appreciate your comments on the historical time period. I just finished the novel, and have posted thoughts on the other board. I will say here though, that I am disappointed the Patchett did not return to Rose as narrator... can't wait to see yours, and everyone else's thoughts on the other board!

Diane wrote: "Patchett has the knack of putting the reader inside her characters.

I started this yesterday. That "knack" is impressive to me as a reader. Always, from the get go, she draws me in. I'm instantly interested in her characters. Women, as would be mothers, are held to high standards in accepting that role, or fate as some might refer to it. I think I first learned of Patchett's views on the subject in her This is the Story of a Happy Marriage and am intrigued to see where she goes with this.

This is very engaging so far and audio is easy to follow.

So I thought i would do book and audio but found that listening solely is working fine. I’m just now being introduced to Son.

I’m starting this next. Looking forward to it

Nothing like a joke played on yourself!! I am busy listening to what I thought was this months Post 1990's selection and trying to figure out why a humorous novel set in Italy fit into this category! Just as I am starting to finish up the end of the CD's the title catches my eye. I am listening to The Patron Saint of Second Chances by Christine Simon...DAH! So another book read for the moth - but the Wrong book!

I do have the correct book The Patron Saint of Liars by Ann Patchett - whom I love - on my Fire - so by juggling around a few books I am pretty sure I can work it in yet this month.

Sigh...lesson learned - READ the title more closely, I say blushing ...lol!

Oh my Sandi! Well, I hope the trip to Italy was fun! The titles are so close! I hate when my plans get messed up too. But you’ve got a great attitude! I haven’t started this yet but am hoping to this weekend.

Patron Saints of Second Chances is a snappy, quick, humorous book. Not what I was expecting at all, but well done for a debut novel. Not a total waste of time - thankfully.

Sandi that’s too good!!!!

When it switches to Som narrative., and I’m doing audio, he mentions how much Rose had gone through in her past. What had she really gone through? Did I miss something other than being married and not wanting to be anymore or have a child?

She gets a little sympathy because her father died in a car accident when she was three. Other than that, I don’t think Patchett gives us a lot of reasons tor her behavior.

Yes and that too. It seemed as though she and her mom got along fine but losing a parent at that age would be difficult. Maybe I felt like Son assumed she just had a horrific story bc she was young and pregnant. And what the heck, she marries Son just like that? I feel more sympathy for him. I’m sure Padgett is pulling me in as a reader making assumption just as she planned as the writer. 😂

Oh man, the conversation is so great over here! I have an unusual work schedule, but as soon as I get time I'm jumping back into this discussion!

Ummm, I guess I should have put that in final thoughts bc that could be a spoiler. I can’t move it right now bc I’m using app. Sorry…. I hope I didn’t mess that up for anyone.

I’m starting with Celia’s narration and I’ll losing interest quickly. It’s beginning to feel like more of the same. Thoughts?

Laura, I had the same issue but it picked back up for me once she got through some stuff.

That’s what i needed Cathrine. I just bumped up audio speed 😂

A better way of skimming 😅

Will not get to this one in the month of June - however should be very early in July.