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Saint Maybe

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About this listen

When eighteen-year-old Ian Bedloe pricks the bubble of his family's optimistic self-deception, his brother Danny drives into a wall, his sister-in-law falls apart, and his parents age before his eyes. Consumed by guilt Ian finds the hope of forgiveness at the Church of the Second Chance, and leaves college to cope with the three children he has inherited and his own embarrassing religion.

Twenty years on, Ian's prospects of a second chance are receding fast when, out of the heart of the domesticity that has engulfed him, strides a new figure who will bring him new life.

A heartfelt novel about the unexpected tragedies and second chances of life, from the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Accidental Tourist and The Amateur Marriage. Now available as an audiobook.

 Family Life Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Psychological Heartfelt

Critic reviews

Anne Tyler likes to break America's heart, and she will do it again in Saint Maybe
Compulsively readable, realistic, funny, touching
Saint Maybe shows Anne Tyler at the peak of her power - a real slice of middle America, blessed with equal amounts of humour, pathos and compassion that will ensure heartfelt devotion from all her readers
A brilliant writer of emotionally sophisticated novels, funny, tragic, wise (Lynne Truss)
One of the truest writers alive
All stars
Most relevant
I’m always sad when I finish an Anne Tyler novel. I get to know these characters and the nuances that make them 3-dimensional. It’s refreshing to read a story that isn’t ticking off all the woke boxes like so many novels do these days. This feels authentic, but was written in the early 90’s. That in itself is comforting escapism.

Another beautifully crafted peek into everyday life of Baltimore folk from another time.

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I loved listening to this book. The main character and his relationships to those around him, his struggle to come to terms with his guilt and his journey to adulthood and wisdom are all completely convincing. I find this book comforting and have listened to it several times with the same amount of attention and enjoyment. Highly recommended.

A lovely story that stays with you

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Not sure if I would have preferred the story with a female voice. I found the male's voice unbelievable when he read the women's voices. Also the story was not really that compelling

Didn't love the reader

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For me, the first half is so much better than the second Rather depressing story of how events can trap an individual into a life they did not plan ..sad. The characters are interesting but I just felt sorry for Ian throughout and it became weary seeing his mundane life pan out. I kept wanting more of something to get my interest, but it never really took off for me.

The Monotony of life

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