Scan barcode
A review by rachel_jozie
Saint Sadist by Lucas Mangum
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
*I’m not going to give you the ‘what this book is about’ blurb – you can read that elsewhere.
1. As someone who grew up in a very Catholic family (I’ve since come to my senses) this book hit hard. Especially when you’re constantly faced with the performative and hypocritical actions of many people who are indoctrinated into organized religion. I read this as part of a buddy read, and a few us did struggle with the religion aspect of this book, but simultaneously found it healing to walk through our trauma in such a beautiful way, along with others who understand.
2. I absolutely flew through this one, it’s short, but for how quickly I read it, at the end I was left not quite sure how I felt about it. This has nothing to do with how well written it was – Lucas is a master and this book was written in a very interesting and unique way – alternating between present day and bible quotes. The more I reflect on this the more I think I was simply rooting for things to go differently for Courtney.
3. Sex, specifically a female using sex to her ‘advantage’ (read it, and you’ll see why that word is in quotes) is a theme throughout and I have to say I’m impressed how well written and powerful it was coming from a male author. I’ve found, many times, that a storyline written by a male author depicting a female enjoying sex or finding her power through sex comes with a nice side of judgement or consequence, but that wasn’t the case here.
4. This plot isn’t terribly outlandish and I think that’s what makes it horror. It’s not scary, per se, it’s more horrifying in the fact that each thing that happens to the MC, Courtney, is something that can happen…does happen. Although there is this weird little bit of doubt that runs throughout the story that has you questioning if this is all actually happening the way it’s being presented, and that doubt grows as the book goes on, almost like a descent into madness, and then the last sentence puts a nice little stamp on that letter and sends it. Makes you re-think everything you thought you knew. If you’re a person that automatically reads the last sentence/paragraph first, I’m not here to judge you, but on this one I’d maybe wait for the surprise. If not, that’s your call!
1. As someone who grew up in a very Catholic family (I’ve since come to my senses) this book hit hard. Especially when you’re constantly faced with the performative and hypocritical actions of many people who are indoctrinated into organized religion. I read this as part of a buddy read, and a few us did struggle with the religion aspect of this book, but simultaneously found it healing to walk through our trauma in such a beautiful way, along with others who understand.
2. I absolutely flew through this one, it’s short, but for how quickly I read it, at the end I was left not quite sure how I felt about it. This has nothing to do with how well written it was – Lucas is a master and this book was written in a very interesting and unique way – alternating between present day and bible quotes. The more I reflect on this the more I think I was simply rooting for things to go differently for Courtney.
3. Sex, specifically a female using sex to her ‘advantage’ (read it, and you’ll see why that word is in quotes) is a theme throughout and I have to say I’m impressed how well written and powerful it was coming from a male author. I’ve found, many times, that a storyline written by a male author depicting a female enjoying sex or finding her power through sex comes with a nice side of judgement or consequence, but that wasn’t the case here.
4. This plot isn’t terribly outlandish and I think that’s what makes it horror. It’s not scary, per se, it’s more horrifying in the fact that each thing that happens to the MC, Courtney, is something that can happen…does happen. Although there is this weird little bit of doubt that runs throughout the story that has you questioning if this is all actually happening the way it’s being presented, and that doubt grows as the book goes on, almost like a descent into madness, and then the last sentence puts a nice little stamp on that letter and sends it. Makes you re-think everything you thought you knew. If you’re a person that automatically reads the last sentence/paragraph first, I’m not here to judge you, but on this one I’d maybe wait for the surprise. If not, that’s your call!