I bought the Kindle edition of this book.

Since her first publication in 1992, celebrated novelist Ann Patchett has crafted a number of elegant novels, garnering accolades and awards along the way. Now comes a reissue of the best-selling debut novel that launched her remarkable career. St. Elizabeth's, a home for unwed mothers in Habit, Kentucky, usually harbors its residents for only a little while. Not so Rose Clinton, a beautiful, mysterious woman who comes to the home pregnant but not unwed, and stays. She plans to give up her child, thinking she cannot be the mother it needs. But when Cecilia is born, Rose makes a place for herself and her daughter amid St. Elizabeth's extended family of nuns and an ever-changing collection of pregnant teenage girls. Rose's past won't be kept away, though, even by St. Elizabeth's; she cannot remain untouched by what she has left behind, even as she cannot change who she has become in the leaving.

 

First thoughts: I vaguely remembered seeing the Lifetime movie version of this years ago. It wasn't a great movie, but when I saw this title as a Daily Deal I bought it. I had read Bel Canto and loved the writing, so perhaps that was it.

What I liked: I wasn't overly impressed with the movie version but thankfully this was a much better story. I liked that various viewpoints throughout the book, and was intrigued by Rose...even though I did not like, nor trust her. I also love Ann Patchette's writing.

What I didn't like: There was a lot of holes in the plot. I could kind of fill in some of the blanks and come up with my own theories but it just doesn't satisfy. I set the expectation bar low, so I wasn't too disappointed by this book, but it could have been better.

Books I "have" to read by December 31st, OR ELSE.