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The Patron Saint of Liars: A Novel Paperback – Deckle Edge, July 11, 2023

4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 12,759 ratings

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A New York Times Notable Book

Acclaimed author Ann Patchett's debut novel, hailed as "beautifully written . . . a first novel that second- and third-time novelists would envy for its grace, insight, and compassion” (Boston Herald)

St. Elizabeth’s, a home for unwed mothers in Habit, Kentucky, usually harbors its residents for only a little while. Not so Rose Clinton, a beautiful, mysterious woman who comes to the home pregnant but not unwed, and stays. She plans to give up her child, thinking she cannot be the mother it needs. But when Cecilia is born, Rose makes a place for herself and her daughter amid St. Elizabeth’s extended family of nuns and an ever-changing collection of pregnant teenage girls. Rose’s past won’t be kept away, though, even by St. Elizabeth’s; she cannot remain untouched by what she has left behind, even as she cannot change who she has become in the leaving.

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Editorial Reviews

Review

"A lovely, evocative tale about a beautiful mother, her abandoned daughter, the love-struck men who are devoted to them both—and the living saint who watches over them all. Maybe the Patron Saint of Liars really is a sign from God." — Carolyn See

"A delight." — Alice McDermott, New York Times

"A remarkable novel. . . . Ann Patchett is unique: a generous, fearless, and startlingly wise young writer."  — New York Times

"Beautifully written . . . Ann Patchett has produced a first novel that second- and third-time novelists would envy for its grace, insight, and compassion."  — Boston Herald

"A wonderful novel. A-"  — Entertainment Weekly

From the Back Cover

BACK PANEL/COVER

A New York Times Notable Book

 

“Beautifully written . . . Ann Patchett has produced a first novel that second- and third-time novelists would envy for its grace, insight, and compassion.”—Boston Herald

 

“[A] wonderful first novel. A-”—Entertainment Weekly

 

St. Elizabeth’s, a home for unwed mothers in Habit, Kentucky, usually harbors its residents for only a little while. Not so Rose Clinton, a beautiful, mysterious woman who comes to the home pregnant but not unwed, and stays. She plans to give up her child, thinking she cannot be the mother it needs. But when Cecilia is born, Rose makes a place for herself and her daughter amid St. Elizabeth’s extended family of nuns and an ever-changing collection of pregnant teenage girls. Rose’s past won’t be kept away, though, even by St. Elizabeth’s; she cannot remain untouched by what she has left behind, even as she cannot change who she has become in the leaving.

 

The Patron Saint of Liars is a remarkable novel . . . Ann Patchett is unique: a generous, fearless, and startlingly wise young writer.”—New York Times Book Review

 

ANN PATCHETT is the author of six novels, including Bel Canto, winner of the PEN/Faulkner Award and the Orange Prize. She has written for the Atlantic, Gourmet, the New York Times Magazine, Vogue, the Washington Post, and others. The Patron Saint of Liars was her best-selling debut novel.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Harper Perennial; Reprint edition (July 11, 2023)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 400 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0547520204
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0547520209
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.31 x 0.88 x 8 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 12,759 ratings

About the author

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Ann Patchett
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Ann Patchett is the author of six novels, including Bel Canto, which won the Orange Prize for Fiction. She writes for the New York Times Magazine, Elle, GQ, the Financial Times, the Paris Review and Vogue. She lives in Nashville, Tennessee.

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4.3 out of 5 stars
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Customers say

Customers enjoy the storyline and find the characters well-developed with interwoven personalities. They praise the writing quality as poetic and readable. The book is thought-provoking and engaging, with an engrossing subject matter. However, some readers felt the ending was disappointing and not as compelling as expected.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

369 customers mention "Storyline"369 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the storyline. They find it engaging and memorable. The writing style keeps them hooked, though some find the main character annoying.

"...It’s complicated. It’s interesting. Not a bit suspenseful, but psychological. All in a low-key way that speaks to the talent of this writer...." Read more

"...Ann Patchett is a sensational writer, and this is a very good novel...." Read more

"Ann Patchett fans have probably already read this amazing book. It was Ms. Patchett's first novel...." Read more

"...At least the narrative was engaging enough, and as I said, some side characters were interesting and likable...." Read more

214 customers mention "Character development"172 positive42 negative

Customers enjoy the well-developed characters with interwoven personalities. They appreciate the realistic and natural conversations between them. The book features three main characters who share their perspectives on a heartbreaking relationship.

"...The interwoven personalities, and sometimes the actions they take, leave you thinking about the book long after you’ve put it down. It’s complicated...." Read more

"...The conversations between characters are so understated - realistic but poignant and natural - that I felt like I was an observer in the room..." Read more

"...The characters are complex, the story intriguing as the unwed mothers and the nuns learn to rely upon each other...." Read more

"Exquisitely written with characters that will become an integral part of a life most of us will never know...." Read more

168 customers mention "Writing quality"162 positive6 negative

Customers find the writing engaging and well-written. They appreciate the poetic prose and sensitively drawn characters. The author is described as an astute wordsmith with clarity and spare yet thorough descriptions.

"...Ann Patchett is a sensational writer, and this is a very good novel...." Read more

"...Patchett writes with wonderful simplicity and clarity. Yes, there's a lot of inner dialogue and yes, there's a lot of backstory...." Read more

"Such a different story line and a very difficult storyline but beautifully written and enjoyable to read...." Read more

"...Beautifully written. Descriptions are both spare and thorough and you don't notice the writer painting the picture, because the writing is so..." Read more

91 customers mention "Thought provoking"77 positive14 negative

Customers find the book poignant and natural. They say it engages their emotions and is a deeply felt study of the human condition. The writing is described as sympathetic, touching, and memorable.

"...It’s complicated. It’s interesting. Not a bit suspenseful, but psychological. All in a low-key way that speaks to the talent of this writer...." Read more

"...This is the kind of book that is so touching, that tears form in your eyes as you read. Here are some especially stunning quotes:..." Read more

"...conversations between characters are so understated - realistic but poignant and natural - that I felt like I was an observer in the room witnessing..." Read more

"...That didn’t happen. I’m glad I read the book as it was very revealing. It stirred up some difficult issues for me, but I think it was worthwhile." Read more

61 customers mention "Depth"46 positive15 negative

Customers find the book engaging with its characters and subject matter. They appreciate the three distinct points of view that allow for multiple interpretations. The faith-based themes are well-received, and the diverse female characters from different backgrounds and circumstances are portrayed. While the ending was abrupt, it conveyed a positive message.

"...I could see it being a good choice for a book club discussion. I also listened to the audiobook...." Read more

"...But, I will say that it is written in three clear and distinct points-of-view in sections...." Read more

"...This lovely story, told from three points of view, succeeds on every level. I wonder why they don't make this story into a movie...." Read more

"...No growth, no *real* inner struggle, or at least nothing convincing enough for me...." Read more

84 customers mention "Believable"58 positive26 negative

Customers have different views on the book's realism. Some find the characters realistic and true to themselves, with a magical quality. Others feel the story lacks consistency and feels unfinished.

"...It’s complicated. It’s interesting. Not a bit suspenseful, but psychological. All in a low-key way that speaks to the talent of this writer...." Read more

"...I can't believe that because it is so polished and well-done...." Read more

"...sympathize with the main character, the mother because none of her motivations made any sense!..." Read more

"...The conversations between characters are so understated - realistic but poignant and natural - that I felt like I was an observer in the room..." Read more

51 customers mention "Pacing"32 positive19 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the pacing of the book. Some found it engaging, with an interesting three-section structure. Others found it slow to develop and took a long time to finish.

"...The three sections are an interesting device - I will say that the middle section felt a little clunky being written in first person from the..." Read more

"I struggled reading this, much too slow for me. I thought the last chapters were so sad, didn’t want to continue to the end." Read more

"I was very excited for this book. It started off strong, but the last page pretty much ruined the whole thing for me...." Read more

"...three main characters , not in alternating chapters , but entire sections at a time ...." Read more

137 customers mention "Ending"24 positive113 negative

Customers dislike the ending of the book. They find the last chapters sad and the story amounted to nothing. Many feel the book is not as compelling as the title and more of a character study. The ending seems unsatisfying, slow to develop, and implausible.

"...But the scene struck me as egregiously implausible on several levels. For me that took a bit of the shine off an otherwise strong story...." Read more

"...And like most other low-rating reviews, this story amounted to nothing...." Read more

"Such a different story line and a very difficult storyline but beautifully written and enjoyable to read...." Read more

"...A final comment: I did not like the ending of this book...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on April 25, 2024
    I have now read 4 of Ann Patchett’s novels, and although this was her first, it’s my favorite so far. A complex, flawed, almost unfathomable main character, Rose, looks for signs from God about the direction her life should take and then is relentless in her pursuit. An interesting, but also not-particularly-interesting setting—a former luxury hotel, now a home for pregnant girls in Kentucky. The time period is the 1960s-1970s. Girls come and go; a gentle giant of a property caretaker helps out; an elderly nun has super powers of her own, the ability to see one’s future and one’s past. All is made more interesting by the birth of Rose’s child, a smart and precocious little girl. The interwoven personalities, and sometimes the actions they take, leave you thinking about the book long after you’ve put it down. It’s complicated. It’s interesting. Not a bit suspenseful, but psychological. All in a low-key way that speaks to the talent of this writer. I could see it being a good choice for a book club discussion. I also listened to the audiobook. Julia Gibson is an excellent narrator, who brings the characters to life. I highly recommend this book.
    14 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on October 20, 2024
    “Don’t ask me how I knew this, it was something about the look on his face when he saw her: he was a Catholic down to his bones. There’s a way a Catholic looks at a nun, even more than at a priest, like she’s a holy relic or something. The Shroud of Turin sitting in a chair.” (p380)

    Ann Patchett is a sensational writer, and this is a very good novel. For me, however, “Liars” doesn’t rise to the level of “Bel Canto” or “Tom Lake”.

    Patchett divides the story into three parts, each narrated by a different major character. I see the story in two parts, however. The first part – the setup – is interesting but relatively straightforward, while the second is the powerful, emotionally difficult story that matters. Separating the two parts is a critical scene that drives the plot forward. But the scene struck me as egregiously implausible on several levels. For me that took a bit of the shine off an otherwise strong story. It also made the ending, if not quite predictable, at least unsurprising. I wish Patchett had crafted that pivotal, transitional moment more credibly. I’m certain she could have done so.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on November 9, 2017
    Ann Patchett fans have probably already read this amazing book. It was Ms. Patchett's first novel. I can't believe that because it is so polished and well-done. I am not a full-fledged Ann Patchett fan because I found Commonwealth tedious at best and I only modestly enjoyed State of Wonder. But I loved Bel Canto and I have to say, I loved The Patron Saint of Liars.

    The story is about a young woman who felt trapped in her life. She's a devote Catholic and doesn't see divorce as an option. Instead she decides to leave her life and go as far away as possible. Unfortunately, she must leave not only people with whom she feels trapped but also her beloved mother. She leaves with no real plan except to find a good family who will take her baby.

    Not to spoil the story, I will leave it there. You'll have to read it to find out more. But, I will say that it is written in three clear and distinct points-of-view in sections. Each tells more about the inner workings of those three characters and their relationships to one another. That's one of my favorite kinds of books to read. That's why Susan Howach is one of my all-time favorite writers.
    Patchett writes with wonderful simplicity and clarity. Yes, there's a lot of inner dialogue and yes, there's a lot of backstory. But, the author handles both so well. This is the kind of book that is so touching, that tears form in your eyes as you read.
    Here are some especially stunning quotes:

    People think you have to be going someplace, when, in fact, the ride is plenty.

    There was a loneliness in being answered, as if God and I had less to say to each other now.

    It was a time in my life when a Junior Mint could meet the difference between happiness and unhappiness.

    If people do have more than one life in a lifetime, they should be careful to make sure the different versions of the past never overlap.

    ...missing people was a full-time job, being sorry about what was gone was going to take every waking minute now, so much time and energy that I had no choice but to stay right on that spot until they decided to come back.

    This is a book about loneliness. I felt the rawness of Rose's loneliness from the first page. She could love deeply and she could hurt others deeply.

    My only negative in this first novel is the redundancy. We heard how beautiful Rose was one or two or three times too many. As a reader, I wanted to say, "Okay, I get it!" But, overlooking that sleight, I can say this is a must-read and on my list of all-time favorite books.
    53 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Terry Carson
    5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful family saga
    Reviewed in Canada on December 24, 2024
    Ann Patchett writes a well crafted story that meanders through the lives of ordinary people. It’s a very satisfying read.
  • Antony Simpson
    5.0 out of 5 stars Book Review: Patron Saint of Liars by Ann Patchett (From AntonySimpson.com)
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 17, 2018
    Some people are a mystery. What they think, what motivates them to act in the way that they do and why they tell the half-truths or lies to those closest to them. The reasons for all of the above are only known to themselves.

    In Patron Saint of Liars by Ann Patchett, Rose is a mystery.

    Rose is married to a sweet man, who allows her the freedom to spend all day doing what she loves – driving. For Rose the destination isn’t important, just the journey and the freedom it brings.

    Rose discovers that she’s pregnant and takes off driving across to the other side of America. She leaves her husband a simple note.

    Rose heads for St. Elizabeth’s. St. Elizabeth’s is a former hotel, that is run by Roman Catholic Nuns. It is a place where women go to complete their pregnancy, give birth and then give their baby up for adoption.

    But nothing works out like Rose planned. Rose meets Son, a handyman more than twenty years her senior. She finds a place in the kitchen, helping Sister Evangeline out with the cooking. Sister Evangeline and Rose become close friends, but that’s because Sister Evangeline accepts that Rose will never open up about her past or herself. Rose also meets the kind June Clatterbuck, who owns the land St. Elizabeth’s is on and lives across a field.

    There’s nothing I could writes in this review to explain the brilliance of this Patron Saint of Liars. The first person perspective is perfect and the changes between the three main characters happens at exactly the right times.

    The description is ideal, informative and ignites the readers imagination. The pacing, set over a lifetime is impeccable. Each of the characters and their development is superb.

    Patron Saint of Liars is a pleasurable read, that captivates throughout and will leave the reader wanting more. It is Patchett’s writing at her very best. It would make a blockbuster of a film.

    I don’t grade reviews, but if I did Patron Saint of Liars would get 12 out of 10. You simply must read this fantastic and life-changing work of fiction.

    Review soon,

    Antony
    One person found this helpful
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  • Amazon Customer
    2.0 out of 5 stars It’s weird
    Reviewed in Australia on December 2, 2020
    Left me flat
  • Brenda
    4.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyed but dissatisfied with the ending
    Reviewed in Canada on April 15, 2024
    Agree that the main character probably was on the spectrum otherwise she was pretty frustrating. Just thought things might wrap up better at the end.
  • Anon
    4.0 out of 5 stars Kindle edition full of typos
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 24, 2022
    Excellent novel as always from Ann Patchett but the Kindle edition is riddled with typos. It looks as if it was scanned from a printed version and no-one bothered to proof read. Very disappointing.