Saint Anything

by Sarah Dessen
Saint Anything cover
Good Books rating 4.0
Contemporary Fiction
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Technical
  • ID: 5805
  • Added: 2025-10-24
  • Updated: 2025-11-29
  • ISBN: 9780141361741
  • Publisher: Penguin UK
  • Published: 2015-05-05
  • Formats: 4
  • Reviews: 4

Sydney has always lived in the shadow of her charismatic older brother, Peyton, whose reckless behavior culminates in a drunk driving accident and a jail sentence. As her family grapples with the aftermath, Sydney feels adrift and overlooked. Her life takes a new direction when she meets the Chathams, a loving and chaotic family who run a pizza parlor and play bluegrass on weekends. Among them, she finds unconditional acceptance and meets Mac, who makes her feel truly seen for the first time. /n/nThe story explores themes of family dynamics, personal growth, and the search for identity. Sydney's journey is one of self-discovery as she navigates the complexities of her family's struggles and finds her own path in the world. The novel delves into the emotional landscape of a young woman coming to terms with her brother's actions and her own place in the family.

Reviews
AshleighOnline · 2019-04-02
heartwarming 4.50

The book evokes a range of emotions, from joy to frustration, and is a heartwarming and engaging read. The reviewer was deeply moved by the story and its characters.

This reviewer was deeply moved by the book, which evoked a range of emotions from joy to frustration. They found the story to be heartwarming and engaging, with characters that felt real and relatable. The reviewer appreciated the emotional depth of the narrative and how it addressed complex themes with sensitivity. They also noted the ease with which the story could be devoured, highlighting its engaging and compelling nature. The reviewer's emotional connection to the story is evident, making it a memorable and impactful read. The characters' journeys and the themes explored in the book left a lasting impression, making it a standout read.

Quick quotes

    Saint Anything made me smile, it made me cry, it made me frustrated, it filled my heart with joy.

    I devoured it and wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to others.

    The characters felt real and relatable, and their journeys were deeply moving.

literaryelephant - WordPress.com · 2017-02-21
thoughtful 4.00

The novel delves into themes of family dynamics and personal accountability, offering an introspective look at a challenging situation. The exploration of love and blame is both nuanced and engaging.

This review highlights the book's deep exploration of family dynamics and personal accountability. It's a story that doesn't shy away from the complexities of blame and love, offering a nuanced perspective on a difficult situation. The reviewer appreciates how the novel handles these themes, making it a compelling read. The characters and their relationships are portrayed in a way that feels authentic and relatable, adding depth to the narrative. The reviewer also notes the introspective nature of the story, which allows for a thoughtful examination of the characters' experiences and emotions.

Quick quotes

    Saint Anything is an exploration of family and blame, love and accountability.

    It's an introspective look at a difficult situation–a brother spending time in jail.

    The novel handles these themes with sensitivity and depth, making it a compelling read.

Linda Newbery · Linda Newbery · 2016-05-10
excellent 4.50

Dessen is compared to Anne Tyler for young adults, with this title echoing Tyler's 'Saint Maybe'. The story is engaging and well-crafted.

Linda Newbery draws a parallel between Sarah Dessen and Anne Tyler, suggesting that Dessen writes for a younger audience in the same vein as Tyler's adult fiction. The reviewer finds 'Saint Anything' to be a well-crafted story that echoes Tyler's 'Saint Maybe', with a focus on family dynamics and personal growth. The narrative is engaging, and the characters are well-developed, making it a compelling read. The reviewer appreciates the depth of the story and the way it tackles complex emotions and relationships. Overall, the book is seen as a strong addition to Dessen's repertoire, offering a rich and satisfying reading experience.

Quick quotes

    To my mind, Dessen is a kind of Anne Tyler for young adults; this title, perhaps deliberately, echoes Tyler's Saint Maybe.

    The story is engaging and well-crafted, with a focus on family dynamics and personal growth.

    The narrative is engaging, and the characters are well-developed, making it a compelling read.

The Guardian · 2015-07-26
mixed 3.00

While the book is enjoyable, the characters are somewhat mediocre and do not meet the high standards set by the author's previous works. It's a good read but not exceptional.

This reviewer found the book to be a good read overall, but felt that the characters were somewhat mediocre and did not quite live up to the high standards set by the author's previous works. They appreciated the story and its themes, but noted that it lacked the depth and brilliance of some of the author's other novels. The reviewer acknowledges that the book has its merits and can be enjoyable, but it doesn't quite reach the level of greatness that the author is known for. The characters, while relatable, are not as well-developed or memorable as those in the author's other works, which slightly diminishes the overall impact of the story.

Quick quotes

    While it was a good book, with a mediocre set of characters, it wasn't up to Sarah Dessen's level of greatness!

    The story is enjoyable, but the characters are not as well-developed as in some of her other works.

    It's a good read, but it lacks the depth and brilliance of some of her previous novels.

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