Customer Reviews

Wretched Saints

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Wretched Saints is a book that shadows the truth of many everyday people. It offers the readers a look inside many taboos that we all go through but are too afraid to admit. Each character has something so interesting and familiar about them, that it continues to draw you in deeper with each story you read.The characters will have you rooting for them....even if they fall short. Wretched Saints is a collection of stories that will have you checking to mirror to be sure you are not one of these sinking saints. Love it!

This is an EXCELLENT work of fiction that could very well consist of some proverbial truths. Wretched Saints is indeed a "must read"!!

"Wretched Saints is a reality check that brings to life many trials and tribulations that people face, that demonstrates how one bad decision can lead to a path of destruction."

"It is a gripping compilation of spiritual short stories that exposes life's pitfalls into a perpetual abyss of turmoil, that can only be alleviated through a sincere willingness to repent and honestly seek help from God."

"This amazing read provokes deep thought and reflection. Encouraging readers to objectively evaluate their lives and make the ultimate decision to overcome spiritual deficits and embrace the journey of spiritual growth."

"Marc Lacy and Assuanta Fay Howard have penned a powerful read that dares to challenge its readers to pose the question...Are You A Wretched Saint? Open the covers and see."

I'm not sure what my expectations were when I ordered this book, but as a fan of the "Daily Scruple," I anticipated vignettes that would ask questions and provoke discussion and introspection for readers. Some of the short stories did this, undoubtedly, but others did not always--at least to the degree I desired. In fact, the inclusion of discussion questions or follow-up thoughts/ideas for readers to ponder is probably the one thing that would transform this book into a five-star read.

With that, all of the vignettes offer insights into the challenges facing all humans, regardless of faith, and provide glimpses into how what we believe can be either head-deep or heart-deep, with the former being a mental assent to what we're taught in churches, temples, synagogues, and mosques (although there are only two stories that move beyond the Christian faith), and the latter being the ability to assent with our lives when we face hard choices. In a number of the stories, I wanted to read more of the backstory, and to see where the characters lives would lead them (um, perhaps some of these might make it into longer pieces at some point...please?!!), so it's fair to say that these stories gripped me in ways that did not let go easily!

Overall, I recommend this book, particularly if you're able to read it with others and to uncover all of the implications of action/inaction in each of the stories. Thank you Mr. Lacy and Ms. Fay for helping us to develop a more fully-articulated sense of faith and its demands upon us each and every day.

WRETCHED SAINTS written by Assaunta Fay Howard and Marc Lacy is a collection of stories about Christians caught up in the throws of life. Each story portrays a vignette of believers whose actions resemble that of the faithless. The stories obviously deliver a message of prevalent hypocrisy in the church and seek to challenge those who call themselves followers of Christ to practice what they preach.

No topic is spared as each story gives a glimpse of situations some Christians may face. Some of the stories are more believable than others and some, of course, are more poignant than others. Overall, the book is a solid read.

Reviewed by Christina Lenear
for The RAWSISTAZ(tm) Reviewers

This is an impressive book of short stories, some serious creative writing! It makes you really look into your own life to make sure you're not a wretched saint. The chapters are so carefully titled, it's definately a page turner. The characters come alive in each story, in one particular chapter it places womens health factors into perpective basically saying that women should love themselves the way God made us and women don't have to flaunt for attention...somehow, men have always had xray vision anyway! Each chapter makes you really think...Excellent!

I really enjoyed reading Wretched Saints. The collection of short stories were very believable and relevant to today's society. The book is beautifully written, easy to follow and visualize. Each story was just the right length to captivate your interest. I loved the fact that everyone wasn't perfect nor did every story end with a predictable, fairytale ending. I highly recommend this this book to anyone whose looking to get lost in the world of the Wretched Saints.

To quote Lord Byron "Truth is stranger than Fiction." In reading this work, although fiction, more truths are revealed than hidden. The characters present themselves as completely human. Some showing no self-restraint and/or knowing no boundaries. The authors skillfully draw the reader into the stories about love, betrayal, infidelity, distrust and forgiveness. This thought provoking collection of short stories causes the reader to ask the question am I a wretched saint? The answer may surprise some and disgust others as the truth reveals itself. Does art imitate life or does life imitate art? The reader must decide.

As an avid reader, I found Wretched Saints to be a refreshing look at how regular people approach their "spritual walks". Each story spins a tale of an individual who is in search of self and yet is often their own worse enemy. The authors are skilled and the characters interesting. Even the titles are intriguing! "Tornado in Kansas", "Body Talk", "Metro Sexual", to name just a few. Dealing with real-life issues such as sexuality, monagomy, drug abuse and "religiosity", Wretched Saints leaves the reader wanting more. Wretched Saints, an alluring collection of spiritual short stories, is ideal and highly recommended for book club discussions!