Saint X by Alexis Schaitkin is a hard novel to describe. It is a very immersive, multi-layered debut but I didn't really like the ending and the pacing was a touch too slow for my liking. This is definitely the epitome of a slow burn, while being very interesting at the same time.
I listened to Saint X entirely on audio and it was very well done. When I saw there were fourteen narrators I was very worried that it would be confusing, but that wasn't the case and I really liked the uniqueness. That being said, there were probably some unnecessary viewpoints in the book and some people may not like this. Lots going on and a lot of things distracting from the main plot of the novel which is 'what happened to Alison?'
I also really liked the sound effects on the audio so I would highly recommending listening to the book. It made me feel like I was on an island during those periods of the novel, and while it's not all set on the fictional Saint X, a lot of it was. It was nice to have a physical copy to know my place, but I didn't find it confusing on audio at all.
Saint X has a lot going on to the point where it almost came off a bit messy, but I applaud the author for trying to fit so much into the story. I couldn't believe how interesting it was even while being a slow burn. I enjoyed the island setting the most, and the characters were very dimensional. There are a few twists as well that I didn't see coming, and while the ending lacked enough closure for me (I am very much someone who wants to know all of the facts at the end of a book), I was still fully immersed in the story the entire time I was reading it and overall I definitely enjoyed it.
Song/s the book brought to mind: 24 by Jem
Final Thought: If you like a slow burn with lots of viewpoints and lots of description, you should love Saint X. It wasn't fully for me, but it was an enjoyable read/audiobook and it's a thinker as well! I can't wait to see what book Schaitkin will write next and I will definitely be picking it up!
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an advance review copy of this book, all opinions and thoughts are my own.
I listened to Saint X entirely on audio and it was very well done. When I saw there were fourteen narrators I was very worried that it would be confusing, but that wasn't the case and I really liked the uniqueness. That being said, there were probably some unnecessary viewpoints in the book and some people may not like this. Lots going on and a lot of things distracting from the main plot of the novel which is 'what happened to Alison?'
I also really liked the sound effects on the audio so I would highly recommending listening to the book. It made me feel like I was on an island during those periods of the novel, and while it's not all set on the fictional Saint X, a lot of it was. It was nice to have a physical copy to know my place, but I didn't find it confusing on audio at all.
Saint X has a lot going on to the point where it almost came off a bit messy, but I applaud the author for trying to fit so much into the story. I couldn't believe how interesting it was even while being a slow burn. I enjoyed the island setting the most, and the characters were very dimensional. There are a few twists as well that I didn't see coming, and while the ending lacked enough closure for me (I am very much someone who wants to know all of the facts at the end of a book), I was still fully immersed in the story the entire time I was reading it and overall I definitely enjoyed it.
Song/s the book brought to mind: 24 by Jem
Final Thought: If you like a slow burn with lots of viewpoints and lots of description, you should love Saint X. It wasn't fully for me, but it was an enjoyable read/audiobook and it's a thinker as well! I can't wait to see what book Schaitkin will write next and I will definitely be picking it up!
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an advance review copy of this book, all opinions and thoughts are my own.