I have to start this little tête-à-tête by telling you that I had to check this audiobook out three times before I actually got to finish it. Now, this is not a comment on the book’s quality, but more that my life went a little off the rails this fall. It’s a testament to the book itself that I actually persevered and finished it. I probably would have dropped a lot of other books after not finishing in the first checkout period. The book is a little longer than most standard reads, but now you know that it’s worth the extra effort.
If you’re thinking to yourself – wait, Beth Moore? The preacher lady? Yep. That’s her. She’s written a lot of religious nonfiction books (that I have not read), but this is her first work of fiction. I’ve never been Beth’s biggest fan – I’m more of a Joyce Meyer girl. But I’ve seen Beth a few times when she popped over to Joyce’s show, and so I was curious when I saw this book in the library.
Boy, was it not what I was expecting.
Saint Sans was good, and I enjoyed it immensely – maybe because it wasn’t what I pictured Beth Moore writing. Basic premise: due to the death of her father, Jillian Slater travels home to New Orleans to take of some business. While there, she gets drawn into the lives of her estranged grandmother’s tenants who live in an old Methodist church that’s been converted to apartments. The renters include a medical student, a high school teacher, and an older lady who still thinks her dead husband is coming to dinner at any minute. As expected, some religious moments popped up here and there, but the author also gave us murder, tarot cards, and curses.
Books don’t usually surprise me, but this one did. If you’re looking for a nice, gentle read to give to your grandma, this is not it. (Unless your grandma’s wild and crazy, and then she’s gonna love it!) Thanks Beth Moore for giving me something unexpected and utterly enjoyable.
Happy Undoing…
:) Amanda
PS The library seems to have plenty of copies of this one, so I didn’t have to wait in line again each time my checkout period ran out. Don’t be afraid to give this one a try.
