Customer Reviews

Living with Saints

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is an inspired work, with a singular voice--O'Connell brings so much heart, poetry, grittiness and spirituality to her characters. There's a nearly supernatural energy in her prose, blessing every detail of the every day world with fresh perspective, whether she's describing a particular pain, a scent or the specific color of the shadows beneath the eyes of a neglectful mother. She has compassion for even her most hateful characters, making them that much more believable. This is more than a collection of stories--it's a transformative fable, telling tales of ultimate redemption with humanity and fine wit. Hope she gets the attention she deserves!

This is a superb collection of stories about the everyday women, the everyday saints, whom we might encounter on the edges of everyday life. The prose is amazing: powerful and immediate, it is sharply contemporary and colloquial, and often ascends to moments of insight, clarity, glory. You should read these stories especially if you're Catholic, and more especially if you're not. This book shows us how we are surrounded by saints, by the raw fire, faith, and courage that is no less than those of the miraculous ones; and how these women, too, have their own small (and not-so-small) miracles.

Read this book.

What little I raed ... I found this book very blasphemous, condemning of the church and all ... shocking really given its title.

I returned it, but I wish I'd read a bit more of it to better determine what it is about and has to say. Anyone able to offer me a summary are welcomed to do so.

Short story collections are famous for having a few dogs, but every single one in this collection proves wickedly wise, funny and FABULOUS. This is one of those bedside table books you'll keep handy just so you can re-read your favorites. And don't be surprised if you feel compelled to call your girlfriends at odd hours of the night to quote the clever Ms. O'connell. Fans of Lorrie Moore will love Living with Saints.

What a fine collection of stories, strung on an idea but brilliantly distinguished from each other. O'Connell has a great ear -- perfect pitch. I haven't seen a false note there. I hope we'll see more of her stories, soon.

The best debute I've ever read from a new writer. The stories are not only original, but moving, funny entertaining, etc..

If you love a good read of short stories, then this is a must for you.

I was initially ...[pulled] in by the fabulous cover (the Australian hardcover edition) and was even more impressed by these immensely satisfying stories. I was moved to laugh, cry, be surprised, but stilled by the gentleness of the stories. I suppose being raised as a Catholic, and having left that doctrine, has put me in a good position to enjoy the stories. Whilst some may feel shocked by the treatment of the saints I felt that I got to glimpse the humans behind the myths. I was also pleased by the variety of female characters that the author created. They all felt genuine.

If you're looking for intelligent, well-crafted short stories that sparkle with wit then look no further.

I gobbled up this collection in just a few evenings. Once, I was so absorbed in it at one that I missed my subway stop. The stories are both wickedly funny and deeply moving. And they ask many serious questions about contemporary morality that I have grappled with but hadn't seen addressed quite this way before.

A refreshingly clever twist on the [sometimes] precarious relationship between contemporary human issues and traditional religious education.

For anyone whoever, in the words of that other Madonna, knows what it feels like for a girl, in this world.