Saint Maybe

by Anne Tyler
Saint Maybe cover
Good Books rating 4.25
Contemporary Fiction
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Paperback • £9.99
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  • ID: 8347
  • Added: 2025-12-21
  • Updated: 2025-12-30
  • ISBN: 9781409045175
  • Publisher: Random House
  • Published: 2016-05-26
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3

Saint Maybe is a compelling exploration of family, guilt, and redemption. When eighteen-year-old Ian Bedloe's actions lead to his brother's accident, his family is shattered. Ian turns to the Church of the Second Chance, leaving college to care for his three nieces and nephews, and his life becomes engulfed in domesticity. Twenty years later, as Ian's prospects for a second chance seem to be fading, a new figure enters his life, promising to bring him new hope and a fresh start. /n/n Anne Tyler's novel is praised for its realistic and touching portrayal of everyday life, filled with humor and heart. With over 8 million books sold worldwide, Tyler's ability to make the ordinary sing is evident in this story of one man's journey through guilt, faith, and the complexities of family.

Reviews
Everybody's Reviewing · Helen Schofield · 2023-03-07
insightful 4.25

As a first-time reader of the author's work, the reviewer was won over by the gentle battiness of everyday coping. The novel's exploration of family and personal growth is both touching and insightful.

Helen Schofield, reading her first Anne Tyler novel, was immediately captivated by the author's ability to portray the gentle battiness of everyday life. She found the story to be both touching and insightful, with a deep exploration of family dynamics and personal growth. The characters are well-developed and relatable, making their journeys feel authentic and emotionally resonant. The reviewer appreciated the novel's humor and poignancy, making it a memorable and enjoyable read.

Quick quotes

    This was the first Anne Tyler novel I read, and her mastery of the gentle battiness of everyday coping won me over.

    I'm a huge fan.

    The characters are well-written and realistic, making their struggles and triumphs feel authentic and touching.

BookishBeck · Beck · 2021-06-21
transformational 4.50

The novel beautifully balances humor and tragedy, highlighting the absurdity and heartache of suburban life. The writing is both imaginative and transformational, with characters that feel real and deeply human.

Beck particularly loves the author's works that emphasize both humor and sadness, finding a perfect balance in this novel. They appreciate how the story captures the absurdity and tragedy of everyday suburban lives, making the characters feel real and deeply human. The writing is imaginative and transformational, drawing the reader into the story with its authentic portrayal of family dynamics and personal struggles. The reviewer found the novel to be a compelling and emotionally rich experience.

Quick quotes

    The works of hers that I love best emphasize both the humour and the sadness: the absurdity and tragedy of these ordinary suburban lives.

    It is imaginative and quite transformational.

    My favorite character is of course, Ian, whose heroism bleeds through the pages of this book.

LibroFulltime · 2021-06-20
enjoyable 4.00

This book was a refreshing read after a previous disappointing one, showcasing the author's ability to blend humor and poignancy in everyday life. The characters are well-crafted and relatable, making the story engaging and heartfelt.

The reviewer found this book to be a delightful return to form after a less satisfying read. They appreciated the author's skill in capturing the nuances of ordinary lives with a mix of humor and sadness. The characters are particularly well-drawn, making their struggles and triumphs feel authentic and touching. The story's exploration of family dynamics and personal growth is both compelling and emotionally resonant, making it a standout read.

Quick quotes

    I really enjoyed this one after the so-so feelings about the last one.

    The author's mastery of the gentle battiness of everyday coping is evident.

    The characters are well-crafted and relatable, making the story engaging and heartfelt.

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