Customer Reviews

A Saint's Last Tear

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I heard about this book through the grapevine and thought that any book using Santa Barbara, California as the backdrop (not to mention a healthy appreciation for Chinese food) is bound to catch my interest. The story was both hilarious and moving, and for lack of a better description, refreshingly simple. The story is really driven by the truly unique characters; some of whom you want to strangle, and others whom you want to hug. Overall, A Saint's Last Tear was a fun Sunday afternoon read that I would recommend to anyone with a humorous skepticism of self-appointed New Age gurus (hopefully that's most of the world). I am only disappointed that I haven't found any other works from this author.

This novel grabs the reader with a delightful spoof. The young male protagonist eats 14 pieces of pizza and then responds to a infomercial for a fitness center in the wee hours of the morning. But the fitness center turns out to be something else. Is it a cult? Is it a 12-step program? Is it some kind of Men's Movement thing? I giggled through the first few chapters--and then I became entranced by the story's multi-layered message. Be entertained, but don't be fooled by this novel's simplicity. I think I hear echoes of Holden Caulfield's wisdom.

This book delivers an intelligent take on the general confusion of life experienced by a twenty something and the desire most people have to search for something more and not knowing exactly what that "more" is. Furthermore, would there be any satisfaction gained should they be fortunate enought to find it and would it really be worth the effort? This book enters many levels of the human psyche through humor, thought, observation and curiousity. You will zip through it, enjoy it immensely, and then want to read everything else written by this author.

In his first novel, author Brad Roe introduces Simeon Stylos, an eccentric journalist who joins a fitness/self help cult as a means of hooking up with the irresistible and mysterious Elana (assistant to the cult leader, B.D.). Simeon seems helplessly drawn deeper and deeper into his pursuit of unlocking the secrets that surround Elana. The novel leaves you laughing as Simeon is suckered into one humiliating situation after another. If the character was not so lovable, you'd think of him as a loser, but the author paints Simeon as a character you have to root for from his courting of Elana to his ability to talk his way out of a night in the slammer. The book is full of interesting characters (Simeon is surrounded by a supportive group of misfits) and events so bizarre that they have to be true. This thoroughly enjoyable novel ends with the possibility of more adventures in store for Simeon. At least, I hope there are more adventures ahead for Simeon and his friends and family. This adventure ended too quickly.