This column will offer reviews of books selected
by Larchmont/Mamaroneck book groups. If you would like to review
a book your book group has read and discussed, please
email us.
LIARS AND SAINTS by Maile Meloy
Reviewed by Nordeen Morello, Book-‘Em
(October
24, 2003) Maille Meloy's first novel, Liars and
Saints, while epic in scope, is a slender volume
of only 260 pages. It is a generational story, effortlessly
taking the reader from the late 1940's to present day, and
it is quality writing. Teddy and Yvette Santerre, devoutly
Catholic young newlyweds, settle in Southern California as
the novel opens. Over its course, four generations of Santerres
will live their daily lives as best they can within frameworks
of personal beliefs, guilts and secrets.
Given the obvious talent of the writer, it was a surprise
that the Book-'Em group members were fairly evenly divided
in their response to this piece. Those who did not enjoy
it felt that the characters lacked development and depth.
Meloy's deft handling of time, style of writing, and story
line impressed the "fans". All agreed however,
that perhaps the final portion was somewhat rushed and culminated
in too pat an ending.
The question of the night was "What would you have
done in Yvette's place?" to cope with what becomes the
central conflict in the book. The group debated: just who
was the 'saint' of this story, what secrets might lurk within
their own lives and are secrets "OK", how central
is Catholicism to this novel, and, finally, what individual
members might have taken away from this read. Two responses
were an admiration for aging gracefully and the realization
that things in our lives are not always as simple as they
might appear to be.
Liars and Saints is recommended
as a book group selection for its readability, quality and
fruitful discussion possibilities. And yes, I was one of
its "fans."
FROM THE EDITORS: We'd love to hear from other Larchmont
readers. Take the Book poll and add your
comments.
(October
24, 2003) Maille Meloy's first novel, Liars and
Saints, while epic in scope, is a slender volume
of only 260 pages. It is a generational story, effortlessly
taking the reader from the late 1940's to present day, and
it is quality writing. Teddy and Yvette Santerre, devoutly
Catholic young newlyweds, settle in Southern California as
the novel opens. Over its course, four generations of Santerres
will live their daily lives as best they can within frameworks
of personal beliefs, guilts and secrets.
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