Play Book Tag discussion

The Patron Saint of Liars by Ann Patchett - 4* - My Review

Set in the 1960s, Rose Clinton abandons her husband and drives from California to Kentucky to Saint Elizabeth's Catholic home for unwed mothers. She decides to remain at the home and become their cook rather than give up her child for adoption, so she marries Son Abbott, the handyman at Saint Elizabeth's. The narrative spans several decades and portrays how Rose's emotional detachment affects her relationships with both her husband and daughter.

Patchett structures the novel in three distinct sections, each narrated from a different perspective: first Rose, then Son, and finally their daughter Cecilia as a young adult. This technique allows readers to see Rose from multiple angles. It gradually reveals the limitations of Rose’s self-awareness and her inability to form genuine interpersonal connections.

Patchett explores how Rose's distant demeanor damages everyone around her, particularly Cecilia, who desperately seeks her affection. It is a story of a deeply flawed (and mostly unlikeable) protagonist with likeable supporting characters. I easily became engrossed in it. The book is character driven and not for anyone looking for action, but it will appeal to those who appreciate books with psychological insight into human behavior.