2026 Reading Challenge
The Patron Saint of Liars

Questions About The Patron Saint of Liars

by Ann Patchett

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Answered Questions (9)

Is it good for a book club read?
Joy Drinnon No! There won't be much to discuss except why anyone would love this woman enough to put up with her nonsense. …moreNo! There won't be much to discuss except why anyone would love this woman enough to put up with her nonsense. (less)
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Does anyone agree that a sequel to this book would be interesting? There was so much left unsaid, undone. I think Ms. Patchett should bring these characters back to life. What's happened since? What became of the characters. It's ripe for a follow-up book for sure.
Cheryl Bryan I thought it ended the only way it could, because it would take a whole new book to tie up all the loose ends. And I agree. Even though the ending was…moreI thought it ended the only way it could, because it would take a whole new book to tie up all the loose ends. And I agree. Even though the ending was disappointing, it was true to the characters of the uh... characters... and I'm also ready to read her other books. This was the first I'd read.(less)
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Was there a reason that the clairvoyant nun had an injured finger that wouldn’t heal??? Did I miss something?
Brittany Oh interesting thought on sainthood. I imagined it was a skin cancer vs. metastases but it wasn't elaborated on. Stigmata would be a good metaphor tho…moreOh interesting thought on sainthood. I imagined it was a skin cancer vs. metastases but it wasn't elaborated on. Stigmata would be a good metaphor though.(less)
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I'm trying to determine if my copy of the book is missing pages. My book ended with Cecilia believing she was Lorraine's "sign from God". And there is nothing else in the back of the book after that sentence. Is there more or is that truly the ending?
Meredith You are correct: That is how the book ended.
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Does anyone know why Rose was so distant from others, particularly her daughter, and why she thought it was acceptable to walk away from those who loved her, which would be pretty much everyone? There is a question below about Asperger's, but I can not square that with Rose's behavior.
Gayl Considering that Rose is a fictional character, the only one who might know why she had so much difficulty with family relationships would be Ann Patc…moreConsidering that Rose is a fictional character, the only one who might know why she had so much difficulty with family relationships would be Ann Patchett. Based on the book and life experience, it could have something to do with Rose's early loss of her father, influence of her Catholic upbringing, and/ or some innate temperament or personality traits. Unlike others who have dismissed Rose as selfish or narcissistic, felt the opposite to be true. She didn't want to live a lie. She aspired to doing the right thing, though she may have had a misguided idea of what that was. I found her to be a unique, complex character which is what made her and her journey so interesting.

I had trouble reconciling the assertion that she had a close relationship with her mother. From descriptions early in the book, their relationship appeared to be mostly superficial and centered around references to physical beauty and how to manage that. I might need to reread sections. My other issue was that the ending left me at a loss for a deeper meaning. I didn't understand Cecelia's decision, unless it was a response to her perception of her mother's choices?(less)
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Unanswered Questions (2)

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