Living with Saints

By Mary O'Connell

Book Overview

Mary O'Connell's wonderfully inventive debut collection takes dusty icons down from the shelf and sets their spirits loose in the modern world. The result is nothing less than "an extended hagiography of the everyday ... where the sacred and secular blur gloriously into one another" (Los Angeles Times). Praised for her "gift for mordant wit, which at its best is reminiscent of Lorrie Moore" (The New York Times Book Review), O'Connell draws upon the lives of the saints to show the divine at work in even the most mundane lives. Saint Anne, patron saint of mothers, sits on the corner of a bed offering words of wisdom while a woman, driven to desperate measures to avoid leaving her baby in day care, has sex with her reptilian boss in exchange for time off. A woman left by her glam-rock musician boyfriend tosses and turns in her bed one night only to find that her pillow, stained with his mascara, has become a modern Turin shroud. From the ineffable bonds between fellow sufferers of grave illness, to the mystery of an immaculate pregnancy, to the more quotidian heartbreak of balancing work and motherhood, O'Connell's stories tackle complicated themes with humor that is "biting but never malicious" (Library Journal ). Readers of all faiths (or none) will be delighted by these savvy and highly original modern visitations. "It isn't necessary to be Catholic, religious, or even a woman to enjoy these stories." -- The Hartford Courant "Living with Saints is funny, shocking, and inspirational-a regular book of revelations." -- Time Out New York "Clever, confident and witty." -- Chicago Tribune

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0802139264
• ISBN13: 9780802139269
• Release Date: January 2003
• Publisher: Grove Press
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.0" x 7.2"

Customer Reviews

miraculous book!

This is an inspired work, with a singular voice--O'Connell brings so much heart, poetry, grittiness and spirituality to her characters. There's a nearly supernatural energy in her prose, blessing every detail of the every day world with fresh perspective, whether she's describing a particular pain, a scent or the specific color of the shadows beneath the eyes of a neglectful mother. She has compassion for even her most hateful characters, making them that much more believable. This is more than a collection of stories--it's a transformative fable, telling tales of ultimate redemption with humanity and fine wit. Hope she gets the attention she deserves!

Mary O'Connell's Perfect Pitch

What a fine collection of stories, strung on an idea but brilliantly distinguished from each other. O'Connell has a great ear -- perfect pitch. I haven't seen a false note there. I hope we'll see more of her stories, soon.

Fantastic

The best debute I've ever read from a new writer. The stories are not only original, but moving, funny entertaining, etc..If you love a good read of short stories, then this is a must for you.

Saints Be Praised!

I was initially ...[pulled] in by the fabulous cover (the Australian hardcover edition) and was even more impressed by these immensely satisfying stories. I was moved to laugh, cry, be surprised, but stilled by the gentleness of the stories. I suppose being raised as a Catholic, and having left that doctrine, has put me in a good position to enjoy the stories. Whilst some may feel shocked by the treatment of the saints I felt that I got to glimpse the humans behind the myths. I was also pleased by the variety of female characters that the author created. They all felt genuine. If you're looking for intelligent, well-crafted short stories that sparkle with wit then look no further.

Loveloveloved it!

I gobbled up this collection in just a few evenings. Once, I was so absorbed in it at one that I missed my subway stop. The stories are both wickedly funny and deeply moving. And they ask many serious questions about contemporary morality that I have grappled with but hadn't seen addressed quite this way before.