The Patron Saint of Liars

True to my word, I gave Ann Patchett another shot.  I found a copy of The Patron Saint of Liars at Half-Price Books.  I figured the dollar clearance price wasn't too much to pay, even if I hated it.

The Patron Saint of Liars had everything Bel Canto did not:  characters I could relate to and a story that was believable.  It was easy to adore Sister Evangeline and Son.  While Rose was a bit more of a challenge to like, I always felt that I understood her and the reasons behind her desertion.  Cecilia became a favorite character as I watcher her grow up throughout the novel.

I wish the book had ended differently, but there's much behind the reasons why the novel had to end the way Patchett has written it.  While Bel Canto made me question her ability as an author, The Patron Saint of Liars illustrated all that she has to offer.  Ironically, the latter is her first novel, while Bel Canto was written later in her career.