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anniegrannie's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
heartofoak1's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
alisonjfields's review against another edition
3.0
6.1/10. For a well-mannered piece of Upper Middle Class, live-oaks and swimming pools Catholic California lit, this really goes in some surprisingly tawdry, conventionally Gothic directions. This tips this book in a marvelously weird direction made even weirder by the fact that both the author and the characters in the novel are so hilariously blase about each increasingly scandalous revelation. The end effect is kind of like watching a soap opera on a shitload of anti-anxiety meds. I'm not sure if the effect was entirely intentional on the author's part, but it's pretty enjoyable.
maya_kaur's review against another edition
3.0
It feels strange to give three stars to a book that left an impression on me after reading it, but here's why I did. As many people have stated, this book tells an intergenerational story of a family, where we meet each character and visit integral moments in their lives and how it affects them and the dynamic of the family. Maile endeavours to do this in just 260 pages...and here, for me, is where lies the problem. Although I admire her ambition, it still felt that the book was lacking in many ways. There were times where I couldn't relate to Jamie's relationship with his parents because of the lack of context given which would allow for motivations to be understood. As much as I love dysfunctional characters, the amount of major events and plot points made the impact lessen and lessen as I progressed through the book; it almost, became unbelievable (especially the last major character plot point) and really left me feeling distant from the story rather than enthralled. Overall, it is a brave novel that tries to tackle a lot of familial issues, however, sometimes less is more.
fusskins's review against another edition
5.0
One of my favorite books ever.
Just so wonderfully good.
As close as you can get to a perfect novel.
Just so wonderfully good.
As close as you can get to a perfect novel.
emjay2021's review against another edition
3.0
After being blown away by her collection of short stories, [b:Both Ways Is the Only Way I Want It|5948644|Both Ways Is the Only Way I Want It|Maile Meloy|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1442664546l/5948644._SY75_.jpg|6121185], I’m thinking Maile Meloy’s novels are more like literary soap operas. This one definitely falls under that umbrella. I think what keeps me returning to her work is her beautiful writing, which is certainly present in pieces of this novel.
Liars and Saints is a multigenerational saga of the Santerre family, starting with parents Teddy and Yvette during World War II and reaching the late 1990s (?) with the fourth generation. Each generation has its own secrets, which of course all come tumbling out by the end of the book. I enjoyed this, and it was a very well done audiobook. It’s pretty short for a four-generation saga, but I actually appreciated the brevity.
Men often don’t come off well in this book. They seem kind of selfish, predatory, and unable to do anything but put their own needs, jealousies, and desires first. I was a bit over it right from the beginning, with the controlling and jealous Teddy, and it only got marginally better. One can only hope TJ manages to break the family cycle.
Liars and Saints is a multigenerational saga of the Santerre family, starting with parents Teddy and Yvette during World War II and reaching the late 1990s (?) with the fourth generation. Each generation has its own secrets, which of course all come tumbling out by the end of the book. I enjoyed this, and it was a very well done audiobook. It’s pretty short for a four-generation saga, but I actually appreciated the brevity.
Men often don’t come off well in this book. They seem kind of selfish, predatory, and unable to do anything but put their own needs, jealousies, and desires first. I was a bit over it right from the beginning, with the controlling and jealous Teddy, and it only got marginally better. One can only hope TJ manages to break the family cycle.
novelesque_life's review against another edition
2.0
2 STARS
"A compelling portrait of a family, and the twists and turns of their lives unravelled with extraordinary sensitivity and understanding. By turns laugh aloud funny and unbearably moving, it marks the beginning of a stunning literary career. Set in California, the narrative follows four generations of the Santerre family from World War II to the present, as they navigate a succession of life-changing events." (From Amazon)
This is the first novel and introduces the dysfunctional family. I read this after the 2nd book so I knew some things were coming before they happened. I was not really into the story...a bit like Running with Scissors.
"A compelling portrait of a family, and the twists and turns of their lives unravelled with extraordinary sensitivity and understanding. By turns laugh aloud funny and unbearably moving, it marks the beginning of a stunning literary career. Set in California, the narrative follows four generations of the Santerre family from World War II to the present, as they navigate a succession of life-changing events." (From Amazon)
This is the first novel and introduces the dysfunctional family. I read this after the 2nd book so I knew some things were coming before they happened. I was not really into the story...a bit like Running with Scissors.
lucyreadingbooks's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0