Review of Patti Liszkay’s novel Hail Mary [Blackrose. $17.95. Release date May 7, 2020]
If it’s true, as writing teachers say, that “only trouble is interesting,”
Patti Liszkay’s new novel, Hail Mary, is interesting indeed.
Many of the characters first appeared in her debut novel,
Equal and Opposite Reactions, and their complicated and
fascinating lives are on full display in this new book.
Liszkay is masterful in telling her story via dialogue--so
much so it’s as if we are viewing a play or a movie.
One of the principal characters is Trysta, who has spent
much of her life lying to survive--lying to her lovers, her
friends, and to herself. And oh what a tangled web! She
ends up in her early twenties with two ex-husbands and
children by 3 different men. She has felt it necessary to trade
sex for security, and eventually discovers, in sessions with
psychologist Dr. Laura Cavanni, surprising things about herself.
After these counseling sessions, we are left to wonder about the
motivations of her counselor. There is so much here that is unsure,
just as in life outside of novels.
Patti Liszkay’s new novel, Hail Mary, is interesting indeed.
Many of the characters first appeared in her debut novel,
Equal and Opposite Reactions, and their complicated and
fascinating lives are on full display in this new book.
Liszkay is masterful in telling her story via dialogue--so
much so it’s as if we are viewing a play or a movie.
One of the principal characters is Trysta, who has spent
much of her life lying to survive--lying to her lovers, her
friends, and to herself. And oh what a tangled web! She
ends up in her early twenties with two ex-husbands and
children by 3 different men. She has felt it necessary to trade
sex for security, and eventually discovers, in sessions with
psychologist Dr. Laura Cavanni, surprising things about herself.
After these counseling sessions, we are left to wonder about the
motivations of her counselor. There is so much here that is unsure,
just as in life outside of novels.
Hail Mary (the title refers to a “Hail Mary” desperation pass in football)
is full of action and conflict and it keeps you reading. It has a driving
energy. It is at times funny, poignant, and obscene (at least in the
sense of an incredibly colorful use of language and hilarious lessons i
n Philadelphia mafiosi dialect!). And in the end, this novel acts out
what it means to genuinely love flawed human beings. Toward the
end of the novel there is a heartwarming, beautiful scene that shows
love and goodness in action; I can’t reveal any more without spoiling
things. I highly recommend Patti Liszkay’s fine second novel.
is full of action and conflict and it keeps you reading. It has a driving
energy. It is at times funny, poignant, and obscene (at least in the
sense of an incredibly colorful use of language and hilarious lessons i
n Philadelphia mafiosi dialect!). And in the end, this novel acts out
what it means to genuinely love flawed human beings. Toward the
end of the novel there is a heartwarming, beautiful scene that shows
love and goodness in action; I can’t reveal any more without spoiling
things. I highly recommend Patti Liszkay’s fine second novel.
