Patron Saints of Nothing by Randy Ribay

"We can only handle so much truth at any given moment, I suppose."~Patron Saints of Nothing by Randy Ribay

The world too often is quiet about things that should set off alarms.

Horrible things happen. Articles, buried deep in the newspaper, or a flash of video and a few spoken words on the screen, mention countries we don't know and perhaps don't care about. The people and their suffering are real but they are 'other', foreign, from countries where dictators rule or rival factions destroy, while we are cocooned in comfortable homes and easy lives.

Until it gets personal. Then the news is a clarion bell to wake us.

The Patron Saints of Nothing by Randy Ribay wants to wake us to the realities of life under a dictatorship that placates citizens with free birth control while suppressing journalism and truth, through his profoundly moving and beautifully written novel.

With early acceptance to the University of Michigan, Jay can coast through the rest of his senior year. But learning that his cousin Jun in the Philippines was shot by the police as a drug dealer turns Jay's life upside down.

Jay visited his father's Filipino family when he was ten. He and Jun became fast friends and were pen pals for years until Jay's teenage activities and concerns took precedence and he stopped responding to Jun's letters.

Racked with guilt, Jay wants answers. Jun was a good person. What happened that caused Jun to run away from his home? He wouldn't have done drugs. Why was Jun murdered? Why won't anyone tell him the truth?

Jay becomes obsessed, learning all he can about the Philipines and life under President Duterte. Determined to find answers, Jay proposes a trip to visit his Filipino family and learn about his heritage.

Staying with his father's siblings' families, Jay comes to understand that people are not always who we think they are and how growing up and learning the truth engenders more questions than answers.

Although YA fiction, Ribay's novel will speak to all readers. He is a master of his craft.

I received a book from the publisher through Bookish First. My review is fair and unbiased.

Sometimes I feel like growing up is slowly peeling back these layers of lies."~Patron Saints of Nothing by Randy Ribay

Patron Saints of Nothing
by Randy Ribay
Kokila/PenguinTeen
$17.99 hardcover
Jun 18, 2019
ISBN 9780525554912