The Patron Saint of Liars by Ann Patchett Summary & Study Guide

by BookRags

The Patron Saint of Liars Study Guide contains comprehensive summaries and analysis of the book.

This study guide includes a detailed Plot Summary, Chapter Summaries & Analysis, Character Descriptions, Objects/Places, Themes, Styles, Quotes, and Topics for Discussion on The Patron Saint of Liars by Ann Patchett.

Nook

First published October 19, 2011

Reviews

[Kathy Hiester · Rating 4 out of 5]

In The Patron Saint of Liars Ann Patchett seamlessly tells a story in three parts and from three perspectives, from the single mother Rose, from the daughter, and from the second husband. I wasn't as crazy about the lead character, Rose, in this novel as I've been in other books, but in further reflection, I'm not sure I'm supposed to love her. If Rose had done things the way I wanted her to do them all through the book instead of it playing out the way it did I would have been happier but in the end that is all a part of what makes this story excellent.

4 Stars

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! we all have secrets - and some are better left in the closet.

[Linda Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really interesting and entertaining. This pulled me in and kept me hooked.

----SPOILERS---

I CAN'T BELIEVE ROSE!!! My reading club has decided she must have had aspergers or autism. You DON'T leave your child. :-( .

[Alice Neilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was like three stories loosely joined. Liked some parts more than others but had a hard time with the abuse in the first part.

[Barbara Nutting · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW was that good, full review tomorrow

[ubermansky · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book right up until the end but then felt betrayed by it. It didn't 'deliver' after a great build up. It made me question the point of it.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

All I can say, is the ending sucks! I mean, if you you’re gonna write an entire book at least make that ending halfway decent.

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

If this were the first Ann Patchett book I had read, I might not be quite such an avid fan. (For the record, my first of her books was "Bel Canto,"and I still think it's her best.)

This is her first novel, and it shows. The concept is intriguing -- it takes place at a Catholic home for unwed mothers, where a young married woman shows up pregnant and willing to give up her baby, then changes her mind and... well, I don't want to reveal too much of the plot.

But it drags badly in places, and the ending is terrible. It just stops, as though the author had run out of ideas for what to do with her characters, so she just put her pen down and called it a day.

I am working my way through the Ann Patchett oeuvre in a haphazard way, so I was glad to read this and put it in context with the rest of her writing. I'll just say this: her writing gets better as she goes along.

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy Ann Patchett's fiction. Can't believe it took me so long to start reading it, enjoying each of her books I get my hands on. While this wasn't my favorite of the ones I've read thus far (preferred both "State of Wonder" and "Bel Canto") I thought it was a wonderful story that surpassed expectations and kept me engaged throughout. A day later I keep returning to Rose's love of driving and her pure lust for the act of being on the open road. A real compulsion that Patchett captured so well, I feel as though my mind may wander to this book every time I crave a road trip (more often than you might imagine).

[Allison Willis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Each of the rich and complex characters in this wonderful book are fiercely independent, showed amazing strength of spirit yet were each flawed. The ending was sadly anticlimactic, but why would we expect it to be any different, they're lives, including the outcome for the girls in the hotel, up to that point were equally so. Beautifully written. It was a fair accompli.

[Sharon · Rating 2 out of 5]

One strange book. I have never read any books by this author though have read other people's comments and they didn't really like this book as much as the others. Very mysterious and I feel like there should be more to be read, but I guess that is what this was all about, Rose's need for freedom and going.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have the feeling that Ann Patchett could write about ANYTHING and the book would be great. So glad I found this author! Stories within stories, incredible characters, Patchett does her research! Great Read!

[Lindsay Parker carlucci · Rating 4 out of 5]

She is such a great writer, but I was disappointed in the ending. Still, happy I read it and would recommend it to others.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

love!

[Beth Simonich · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved Rose and her relationship with her mother. I would have loved to hear more from her. The ending was very sudden and a little disappointing.

[Tonya · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a difficult book for me to rate. I really liked certain chapters and then hated others. I read that this was one of the author's early books. I think I could see that.

[Andre Satie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Patchett at her best, I think. The story takes place almost exclusively in a home for unwed mothers, but the plot moves right along. The characters are believable and characters are engaging.

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why is only the study guide of this book in here? I picked this book up by accident, loved it, and became an Anne Patchett fan!

[Carol Chapman · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 actually. My husband also read this and found the main character, Rose, completely despicable. She definitely had issues, but I still enjoyed the book.

[Diane Milligan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well done, as usual

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

so much better than expected, but the ending was a bit of a disappointment