Summer Sale! Save 25% off a BookBrowse Membership, offer ends soon!

What do readers think of Wayward Saints by Suzzy Roche? Write your own review.

Summary | Reviews | More Information | More Books

Wayward Saints by Suzzy Roche

Wayward Saints

by Suzzy Roche

  • Critics' Consensus (0):
  • Readers' Rating (33):
  • Published:
  • Jan 2012, 272 pages
  • Rate this book

About this book

Reviews

Page 2 of 5
There are currently 33 reader reviews for Wayward Saints
Order Reviews by:

Write your own review!

Carole C. (Upper Marlboro, MD)

Oh, when the Saints come marching....
In the early pages of Wayward Saints, I thought the language harsh, the character Mary edgy, and the story dark. I almost put the book aside. I am grateful that I decided to read on. Mary Saint, an angry, defiant teenager, flees from her hometown of Swallow, New York, and from her family. She rises to near fame as an alternative rocker, but then descends into drink, drugs, and depression, deepened by the death of her fellow band member and boyfriend Garbargio. When author Suzzy Roche introduces the second Saint, Mary's mother Jean, the novel gains depth and complexity. Through the musings of this conservative,more
Diane W. (Lake Villa, IL)

Wayward Saints
Though I picked up and put down this book several times (a bit hard to get into the "voice")...I did end up enjoying the characters and their "quirkiness" more than I originally thought I would. I felt the book had a few editing issues that were overlooked that would have helped with the flow of the story. All in all, a story based on some real life experiences and a decent read.
Jan M. (Jenks, OK)

A Pleasant Surprise
I'm a senior reader who is not "in to" rock music, so I was prepared not to like this book. I must say I was pleasantly surprised. The author, quite skillfully, told the story of a mother and daughter's estrangement and some of the reasons behind their distant and difficult relationship. Mary Saint's rebellion against convention, and her mother's, "oh my, what will the neighbors think" attitude. As the story built toward Mary's coming home concert, I found myself hoping things would turn out well and unable to put down the book until the lovely ending.
I doubt that I will suggest it to my book club for I don'tmore
Marta M. (Santa Ana, CA)

What a fun novel!
I was excited about reading this book and I wasn't disappointed. I felt that the characters were very vivid and I felt for all of them. I especially liked the character of Thaddeus who came into Mary's life at the right time to help her through her life's journey. It just proves that angels come in all shapes and sizes and genders. Not a lot of action in this story but a lot of thought and feeling. The characters stayed with me for a long time after. Three cheers for Suzzy Roche and I hope to read more from her.
Tracy B. (New Castle, DE)

Wayward Saints
The characters started out living in very different worlds. I was wondering how they would or if they could ever be in the same room. The religious thread challenged almost everyone's belief system and in the end was what brought "family" together.

Stories where people find their voice resonate with me. This was one of those journeys. Struggle's, sorrow, faith and joy were the foundation of the clear development of each character. The twists, coincidences, clashes and surprises made for a good read.
Beth C. (Sioux Falls, SD)

Wayward Saints - Finding Their Way
Literally, "Wayward Saints" by singer, Suzzy Roche, is a quirky novel about a mother and daughter, Jean and Mary Saint. Each is fighting to overcome issues that darkened their lives as Mary was growing up. They are also working through current problems - Jean's abusive husband is now a victim of Alzheimer's and lives in a nursing home. Mary, once a rising alternative rock star, has crashed is trying to put her pieces back together.

However, figuratively there are a number of "saints" in the book. These include friends and acquaintances that somehow help both Jean and Mary on their paths to redemption.

It was amore
Debra V. (Kenosha, WI)

Wayward Saints
I really enjoyed Wayward Saints by Suzzy Roche. It is very interesting to read novels written from the perspective of an author who has actually "done" what they are writing about. In most cases, this type of author does not mix a good story with great writing, however Suzzy Roche mixes wry style with graceful writing and the result is a great book that captures your attention until the last page! The only criticism I have is that the "arch nemesis" Adele is never really formed as a character, so why mention her at all?
Power Reviewer
Catharine L. (Petoskey,

It's a 4 1/2!
The story grabs the reader from the first page. Mary Saint, lead singer for the hardrock band, Sliced Ham - almost famous, and then Garbagio, bandmember and Mary's lover dies and it's over. The characters are unique, real, and marvelous. You laugh and cry with them. I'm not a hard rock fan but loved the words to "The Back of My Ass" and "Sewer Flower", and the reaction of Mary's mother to the concert is priceless. Watching Mary overcoming her past, reconnecting with her mother, and beginning a new life is a joy to read.

More Information

Read-Alikes

BookBrowse Book Club

  • Book Jacket
    Before Dorothy
    by Hazel Gaynor
    Before Oz, Aunt Em leaves Chicago for Kansas in a powerful tale of courage, change, and new beginnings by Hazel Gaynor.

Members Recommend

  • Book Jacket

    Ordinary Love
    by Marie Rutkoski

    A riveting story of class, ambition, and bisexuality—one woman risks everything for a second chance at first love.

  • Book Jacket

    Making Friends Can Be Murder
    by Kathleen West

    Thirty-year-old Sarah Jones is drawn into a neighborhood murder mystery after befriending a deceptive con artist.

Who Said...

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world...

Click Here to find out who said this, as well as discovering other famous literary quotes!

Wordplay

Solve this clue:

C K the C

and be entered to win..

Your guide toexceptional          books

BookBrowse seeks out and recommends the best in contemporary fiction and nonfiction—books that not only engage and entertain but also deepen our understanding of ourselves and the world around us.