Mary Saint, the rule-breaking, troubled former lead singer of the almost-famous band Sliced Ham, has pretty much given up on music after the trauma of her band member and lover Garbagio's death seven years earlier. Instead, with the help of her best friend, Thaddeus, she is trying to piece her life together while making mochaccinos in San Francisco. Meanwhile, back in her hometown of Swallow, New York, her mother, Jean Saint, struggles with her own ghosts.
When Mary is invited to give a concert at her old high school, Jean is thrilled, though she's worried about what Father Benedict and her neighbors will think of songs such as "Sewer Flower" and "You're a Pig." But she soon realizes that there are going to be bigger problems when the whole town--including a discouraged teacher and a baker who's anything but sweet--gets in on the act.
Filled with characters that are wild and original, yet still familiar and warm--plus plenty of great insider winks at the music industry--Wayward Saints is a touching and hilarious look at confronting your past and going home again.
The beginning of Wayward Saints almost put me off. The flips between the past and the present and then back again made it hard to connect at first. Then it got set in one time frame and went forward from there and wow, just wow.
The story is full of broken families, broken hearts, broken lives, and how no matter how broken something is love seems always able to pull it back together. Maybe not always in the same way as it was before but in the end it is just as good if not better than before. If only because one can appreciate the joy even more after having to taste the sorrow.
I was irritated by Mary at first. She seemed so arrogant and out of it. But slowly as the book progressed so did she. I felt the same with her mother. Numerous times I just wanted to slap them both for their self absorption. But then characters like Thaddeus and Vincent were introduced. Both had souls just as broken as Mary and her mothers, and they both seemed to be the "other Mary's" that were needed to bring each woman back into a world they had both in separate ways walked away from.
I loved the way the story portrayed real life people struggling through real life emotions. There were many parts that almost brought me to tears. However there were also many clever parts and even some that had me laughing out loud.
While I wouldn't have said this at the beginning of the novel by the end I gladly recommend this for a great read this summer. Whether at the beach, in the car, or simply sitting at home. I also definitely recommend that when you read it, plan to sit down and read it all the way through. Make sure you set aside the time, because you won't want to put it down.
Amazing, really amazing.
Til next time.
AimeeKay
Awesome :) I love when a story surprises and delights you! Those are the best :)
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like something I would really enjoy - I tend to love stories that feature broken things:) Good to know about the tricky beginning with the shifts between past and present, now they won't throw me off as much. Beautiful review AimeeKay!
ReplyDeleteI love how stories protray real life and can make you feel many emotions!. Awesome review :)
ReplyDeleteLoving the idea of a band called Sliced Ham. Great review, this sounds like a read I'd be sure to enjoy.
ReplyDeleteI would love a good beachread...if we only had some nice sunny weather
ReplyDeleteOh I love the comparison with the music. It sounds like a nice book, glad it was a beautiful surprise.
ReplyDeleteSweet! I really wanted to read this one, but I'm so glad you got to read it!! I'm happy it rocked for you.
ReplyDeleteSometimes it's fun when you just want to slap characters. LOL
"Sewer Flower" and "You're a Pig"? I wish these songs were real - I'd love to hear them!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review Aimee Kay. This sounds like a book I may need to find and read. Loved the review was very thoughtful and encouraging. Sometimes we all need to rock a little.
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the compliments and comments on the review!
ReplyDelete