And now for something completely different. . .

All Saints by Liam Callanan is his sophomore book having created a stir with The Cloud Atlas, which was compared to Ondaatje's The English Patient. I am not familiar with either.

All Saints, is a Catholic High School located on the Pacific ocean in Newport Beach, California. It should be paradise. The author weaves in stories of saints, which are interesting whether you are Catholic or not.

My first impulse was to associate with the narrator, theology teacher Emily Hamilton, because our private thoughts are often not what others would expect from us and she is fascinating. After finishing the book, I grew more and more appalled at her character and how the author allowed Emily to draw us in as she did those who attempted to love her. Emily's self absorption and lack of control results in unfortunate endings for a number of people who make the mistake of reaching out to her. A disturbing and cautionary story.