- Hardcover: 304 pages
- Publisher: Harcourt, Inc. (Oct 15 2003)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0152163719
- ISBN-13: 978-0152163716
- Product Dimensions: 22.1 x 14 x 2.4 cm
- Shipping Weight: 435 g
- Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #1,018,099 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
Product Details |
Product Description
From Amazon
Han Nolan spins a tale of religious fervor and adolescent searching in When We Were Saints, a compelling novel that allows readers to draw their own conclusions. The story centers on Archie Caswell, a 14-year-old southern boy whose best friend has recently moved away and whose grandfather has just died. Archie is awash in guilt over the circumstances of his granddaddy’s passing, but he’s equally troubled by the old man’s deathbed prophecy.
Enter Clare Simmons, a mysterious girl who fully believes she and Archie are modern-day saints. Abandoned by his former confidant and desperate for answers, Archie gets swept up in Clare’s appealing certainty--eventually following her all the way to New York City on a risky pilgrimage to see a crying statue of the Virgin Mary.
Nolan writes convincingly about personal struggles with faith--Archie is at times a blissful believer, at others plagued with doubt. In either state, Nolan helps us understand exactly why the young man feels the way he does. In the end, we join Archie in wondering if Clare is mentally ill, or if she does in fact have a direct line to a higher power. A captivating read, especially for teens trying to find their own way in the domain of religion and spirituality. (Ages 13 and older) --Brangien Davis
From School Library Journal
Grade 7 Up-Archie, 14, is a thorn in his Bible-thumping grandfather's side until, on his deathbed, he pokes Archie and utters his final words, "Young man, you are a saint." The teen is swayed into believing this might be a prophetic blessing by the arrival of the beautiful and enigmatic Clare, who declares that they are soul mates, inheritors of the spirit of the original Saints Francis and Clare. Archie is besotted by a powerful mixture of innocent longing and religious fervor while guilt-ridden that he might have caused his grandfather's death. He grows increasingly confused by Clare. Is she merely a masterful manipulator or is she driven by a devotion to a monastic life of simplicity, love, and forgiveness? Is she divine or crazy? Archie's newfound piety causes him to ignore important earthly human relationships and he and Clare set off on a pilgrimage to her "home," the Cloisters museum in New York City, by stealing his grandfather's truck and driving illegally. Archie is a caring and likable protagonist, a budding artist whose vulnerabilities are legion. Both teens are portrayed as being sincere, if over the top, in their search for religious fulfillment. Clare is clearly troubled, and by the end of the novel, she is institutionalized. The conclusion suggests that, for better or worse, the ecstatic "saint" Clare may someday return. This powerfully written novel is outstanding in terms of the intensity of the experience described. It may seem overlong to some young people but those teens with an interest in matters of faith will find it credible, scary, gripping, and gratifying.
Joel Shoemaker, Southeast Junior High School, Iowa City, IA
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Joel Shoemaker, Southeast Junior High School, Iowa City, IA
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Inside This Book
(Learn More)
First Sentence
ARCHIBALD LEE CASWELL had named the still he and his best friend, Armory Mitchell, had built in the basement of his grandparents' home The Last Hurrah, in honor of Armory, who was moving with his family to Washington, D.C. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
ARCHIBALD LEE CASWELL had named the still he and his best friend, Armory Mitchell, had built in the basement of his grandparents' home The Last Hurrah, in honor of Armory, who was moving with his family to Washington, D.C. Read the first page
Explore More
Concordance
Browse Sample PagesConcordance
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
Tag this product(What's this?)Think of a tag as a keyword or label you consider is strongly related to this product.
Tags will help all customers organize and find favorite items. |
Customer Reviews
|
Share your thoughts with other customers:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Most helpful customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazed,
By Freckled Momma (Phoenix, az United States) - See all my reviews
This review is from: When We Were Saints (Hardcover)
I just finished reading this book -- in two days. As soon as I finished I wanted to go back and read it all over again! I feel like I have actually met both Clare and Archie, the main characters, they come to life. This book is both thought provoking and a "good read." Highly recommended.
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not Bad, But Not Great,
By Jessi Platt (Auburn, AL United States) - See all my reviews
This review is from: When We Were Saints (Hardcover)
Despite its thought-provoking and generally positive message, this book is too lengthy and slow-paced to be compelling. Set in rural Appalachia, this tale weaves together themes of spirituality, religion, mental illness, and individual growth. Archie's grandfather, known by some as a prophet but by most as the town drunk, uses his dying breath to call Archie a saint. Soon after, Archie's grandmother falls ill, his relationship with his best friend ends, and he meets a strange and beautiful young woman named Clare. In a state of confusion about his grandfather's dying words and his own life's meaning, Archie believes Clare when she tells him that they are both saints and must change their lives through constant prayer, starvation, and eventually, a pilgrimage the Cloisters Museum in New York. While the description of the museum is beautifully rendered, the actions of the teens are much less plausible, causing readers to feel unsympathetic toward Archie and his foolish mistakes. Unless you have a need for a spiritual journey that lacks suspense and believable events, pass on this title.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent,
By A Customer
This review is from: When We Were Saints (Hardcover)
This book was even better than I expected. I like this author and I thought the basic story line sounded interesting so I bought it. It was much a much deeper book than I anticipated and I read it from beginning to end in one sitting. I didn't want to put it down. The searching and resolution in this story is more than most people figure out in their whole lives. I think many people would benefit from reading this book, not just yound adults.
Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
Want to see more reviews on this item?
|
|
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
- Books > Children's Books > Issues > Illness
- Books > Children's Books > Literature
- Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Boys & Men > Fiction
- Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Family Life > Multigenerational
- Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Social Issues > Prejudice & Racism
- Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Social Situations > Self-Esteem & Self-Respect
- Books > Children's Books > Religions > Fiction
- Books > Kids & Family Store > Teens
- Books > Teens > Literature & Fiction
- Books > Teens > Social Issues
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
