“The Patron Saint of Liars” by Ann Patchett
I have completed my three book mini-tour of Ann Patchett novels. I began with her most recent work- Tom Lake. I then opted for a mid career effort- Commonwealth. I conclude with The Patron Saint of Liars, her 1992 debut. Going in reverse order was not a strategic decision. I was not seeking to evaluate her development as a writer. I like Tom Lake the best, but suspect I simply had more affection for the primary characters. The prose is impressive in all three books- vivid, clear and engaging. Her style and pacing is inviting, even comforting. I admire her talent and skill. Ms Patchett is a natural choice for book club aficionados. Her characters generate questions about human values and motivations. The plot lines are imaginative, even quirky. I plan on a near term break from the author, but envision a future “beach” read.
The Patron Saint of Liars is staged in a curious setting, particularly for anyone born after 1980. We join the cast of characters at St Elizabeth’s, a Roman Catholic group home for unwed mothers. To refresh your memory, young unmarried women and girls would spend the majority of their unplanned pregnancy at facilities managed by nuns. Soon after learning they were pregnant, the ladies at risk would depart from their hometowns to “visit family” or “travel abroad.” At delivery, their babies would be placed with adoptive parents and the natural mothers would return home to begin life again- their reputation intact. Patchett makes things more interesting by locating St Elizabeth in rural Kentucky, the heart of Baptist country. To further complicate matters, the home has a history. It was built as a luxury hotel- a magnet for pilgrims visiting the area because a spring located adjacent to the property was associated with “miracle” medical cures. The spring eventually dried up, the visitors stopped coming and the home was transitioned into a retirement home for Catholic nuns and ultimately a residential home for unwed mothers. The original “miracle” child cured by the spring’s waters is now elderly and lives in her own house close to the home. She is the coolest character in the book- providing wisdom, kindness and guidance at key moments. Patchett builds on the “miracle” theme throughout the book as we embrace the live of the temporary and permanent residents of the home.
Patchett builds the narrative around three characters, Rose, Son and Cecilia. Rose is the lead- her life decisions dictate the action. She is an unlikely protagonist because she fails to meet the “likeability” standard normally associated with the star of the show. Without betraying the essence of the storyline, it is fair to disclose that she treats people poorly. She is blessed with beauty, raised a conventional Catholic in southern California. Her father has passed away but she has a strong relationship with her mother. She marries young- her husband worships her. She becomes pregnant with his child. Unfortunately, Rose concludes that she does not love her husband and would prefer a life of independence. Divorce was not a Catholic option and abortion was not legal. She makes a series of morally questionable decisions. She conceals the pregnancy from her husband and then abandons him (and her mother) with no notice, explanation or forwarding address. She steals the family car and embarks on a cross country trip to St Elizabeth. Her plan is to gain admittance, lie about her marital status, spend the balance of her pregnancy there, give the baby up for adoption and then pursue an exciting if anonymous life. Rose conceals the truth and hurts those who love her deeply. She is rather cold and calculating in executing her escape. A strange bird- not lovable at first (or second) glance.
The book details a radical change in plans and we spend the next fourteen years with Rose at St Elizabeth. She reverses course after witnessing the birth of a baby to one of her friends at the home. Rose is allowed to keep her child because she marries Son, the kindly handyman at the property. He is 20 years her senior but has adored Rose from the day she arrived at the home. He agrees to raise the chid as his own and pledges never to disclose to the child that he is not her natural father. Rose respects Son, but does not love him. Character No 3 is Cecilia, the child. The narrative flows from this hastily created family. It is an engrossing read. Son has a peculiar history of his own and Cecilia develops intriguing relationships with the parade of pregnant young girls who move through the home in 7-9 month intervals. Her most challenging relationship is with Rose, her mother. It began with a secret and never becomes transparent, warm or physically affectionate. Strong supporting characters include Sister Evangeline, a long time nun at the home and a series of expectant mothers who connect with Rose. Positive characteristics of Rose emerge - she is an expert cook, a friend, a mentor, a leader. She never becomes 100 percent likable but she is definitely multi-dimensional , complex and emotionally interesting. It is fun to watch her come into focus. Chapter by chapter, you begin to care about these people. St Elizabeth is blessed with true character by Ms Patchett.
The author never becomes judgmental. We see Rose with a clear lens , but a generally sympathetic one. Several of the girls at the home, living in difficult circumstances, inspire respect and affection. Finally, the book concludes of a double dose of “surprises”- the arrival of a visitor and the departure of one of our characters. Patchett leaves us with a series of pressing questions- speculate to your heart’s desire on the future of this people.
