"Patron Saints of Nothing" stood out to me right away with it's amazing cover art and the back covers description of the book. I was thrilled to have won it from a Bookish Firsts giveaway and read it as soon as time would allow. Once I did sit down to read it, I had such a hard time putting it down.
"Patron Saints of Nothing" by Randy Ribay has often been compared to "The Hate U Give" by Angie Thomas, and, I mean, I get that to a point, but there is so much more to this book than a simple comparison to another blockbuster, best seller that deals with an unjust killing of a non-white young person, racial tension and inequality, and of course, the people who are left behind to live with the inevitable emotional pain and unanswered question of "WHY?". "Patron Saints..." is powerful and nuanced and written with such passion, with painfully realistic depictions of grief, injustice, identity issues and courageousness. It is a finalist for the National Book Award and well-deserving of that and any other comparable honors that should be bestowed upon it. 5 big stars to this poignant and gripping book.
"Patron Saints of Nothing" by Randy Ribay has often been compared to "The Hate U Give" by Angie Thomas, and, I mean, I get that to a point, but there is so much more to this book than a simple comparison to another blockbuster, best seller that deals with an unjust killing of a non-white young person, racial tension and inequality, and of course, the people who are left behind to live with the inevitable emotional pain and unanswered question of "WHY?". "Patron Saints..." is powerful and nuanced and written with such passion, with painfully realistic depictions of grief, injustice, identity issues and courageousness. It is a finalist for the National Book Award and well-deserving of that and any other comparable honors that should be bestowed upon it. 5 big stars to this poignant and gripping book.