Saint Mary Blue

by Barry B. Longyear

"A barrel of laughs with a kick in the groin for a punch line...The laughs were good and the tears were better. If there's anyone out there whose life isn't affected by a drunk or junkie, he should still read Saint Mary Blue , just because it's good." —Steven Brust, author of The Sun, the Moon, and the Stars

332 pages, Hardcover

First published January 28, 1988

About the author

Barry Brookes Longyear was an American science fiction author who resided in New Sharon, Maine.

Reviews

[Tony Hinde · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not sure what prompted me to read this book. Take a look at that cover art, not very inspirational. But it is written by Longyear and his work is usually good. I know why I bought it. It was on sale at a second-hand book shop, I had never heard of this one of Barry's titles and it was a first-edition. I love finding cheap first-editions, especially if it's an author I like. Well, I really got lucky this time.

It's not that this book is full of adventure or has a rich plotline. It doesn't even have exotic locations or lots of sex. What it does have, in truckloads, is empathy for the human condition. The main character is Jacob Randecker. He is a thinly veiled version of the author himself. They say that autobiographies are usually crap, but then they also say "write what you know." Whatever the case, this book is excellent.

Jacob is an addict. He is addicted to alcohol and prescription medications. But then that's the most common kind. He doesn't think that he needs help but his wife and his friends, (the ones he has left), are adamant that he does. They use all of the pressure that they can muster, to get him to go to a rehab center called Saint Mary's. This is an actual hospital in the U.S.

The novel takes us through the program with Jacob and his group. We come to love Jake and each of his group. We also fall for the members of the hospital staff that we meet. It is that sort of book. I hope writing this book was cathartic for Longyear because reading it sure was for me.

I want to leave you with a small section from the dust jacket that I think may have helped my decision to read this book:
- One third will make it the first time around.
- One third will have to try again.
- One third are already dead. It just takes them a while to lie down.

[Macgregor Douglas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of listening to the author read this to a small group from the other side of the world on a series of zoom meetings. I could tell both from the reading and also his reflections after each session that this stuff, despite being written a few decades ago still stirred a lot of emotion. It's an eye-opener for anyone, let alone those with addictions, but cuts to the heart of the matter without any sugar-coating. I'll never look at mowing a lawn the same way again...

[Kathleen Lynch · Rating 5 out of 5]

How do you write about going through hell to be born again? Saint Mary Blue tells the only-slightly-fictionalized story of a writer who is an alcoholic and drug addict. Confronted by his friends, he agrees reluctantly to attend rehab at the most successful hospital for the treatment of addiction, St.Mary's, in Minneapolis-St.Paul. Rehab there is not a visit to a California country-club setting with friendly doctors, a chance to get away from it all. Instead, rehab at St.Mary's for our hero is a descent into his personal hell, confrontation with the pain he caused to all those loved the best, and the chief tormentor is our hero himself. The counselors there allow no easy excuses, no cop-outs. Family members visit, but this too is a confrontation. Will this stubborn fool stick it out? Will he be able to face himself? There's considerable dramatic tension throughout the book. The language is not pretty -- teachers will cringe. You may not find this book an entertaining read, but your own life or the life of someone you care about may depend on what you learn reading this book.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book -- but possibly with a limited audience.
Not everyone wants to read about life in rehab -- but from what I can tell, it sounds like a pretty accurate description of the sorts of folks you find struggling with beating addictions.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful book that I have no hesitation recommending.

This is a loosely fictionalized version of the author's stay in rehab. It is touching, honest, and truly fascinating. I have shared this book with dozens of people in recovery and they really enjoyed it and got a lot out of It.

[Lindsey Berkowitz]

Great book- anyone who has a friend/family member who suffers from the disease of addiction should read this one!!