Reviews

Saint X by Alexis Schaitkin

subpolka's review against another edition

2.0

Two and a half stars, rounded down. I enjoyed the first half of this book - less a thriller than a psychological slow burn, which I dig - but the last chunk made me frown more than once, and the climax? Was nearly offensive in its what-the-f**kery.

See Also: Entire chapters written in patois by a white author, which: No. Just no.

lucasgarner's review against another edition

3.0

Saint X is a novel with many great ideas, and beautiful, pointed prose, that’s it’s a shame that it doesn’t always work out the way you want it to. Author Alexis Schaitkin tends to ramble, a lot, so that the book gets bogged down by details which ultimately don’t really matter. But for a first novel that is this experimental and is so willing to challenge the common narrative, it’s hard to not appreciate what was accomplished with this novel, even though it may not be all that interesting the entire way through.

ajskid's review against another edition

2.0

Nice idea for a story but WAY to wordy. Nobody needs this much unnecessary details. Especially when the story wasn’t as exciting as you thought initially.

nmertineit's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

neilstcyr's review against another edition

mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

jesscerre's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

dakcity's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

chilibeanie's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

A gripping read, but I ended up feeling more sad than I think the book wanted me to feel. I wanted more closure for some of the characters, but the author was probably right and true to life not to give it to them.

onecrab's review against another edition

2.0

Honestly can't recall how this one ended up on my TBR list.  Possibly the PopSugar challenge.  It was okay as a read, but wow I do not enjoy stories of people systematically destroying themselves. 

The audiobook is pretty great with a full cast recording:  Ryan Vincent Anderson, Ella Turenne, Prentice Onayemi, Dana Dae, Bailey Carr, Tristan Wright, Alex Hyde-White, Kate Orsini, Melinda Wade, Josh Petersdorf, Ron Butler, Dave Fennoy, Denise Nelson, Dean Gallagher 

mheitz's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0