History of the Catholic Church in Spain who was active in many different modes of religion, including organizing convents and new congregations, and developing the theology of the Counter Reformation in Spain that permanently minimized the Protestant influence there. In the 1620s Spain debated who should be the nation's patron saint- the current patron Saint James Matamoros (Saint James the Moor-slayer) or a combination of him and the newly canonized Saint Teresa of Ávila. Teresa's promoters said Spain faced new challenges, especially the threat of Protestantism, and the declining society at home and needed a modern patron saint who understood these problems and could lead the Spanish
The Patron Saint of Liars (novel) heart, nothing will keep Sissy from rekindling the friendship and love she had for her mother. Many reviews have praised Patchett for her first novel. Annabel Davis-Goff, for "Entertainment Weekly", wrote, "...this is a wonderful novel. Patchett writes with a simplicity of style and clarity of voice that make one eager for her next book." Gerald Costello, for U.S. Catholic, wrote, "One often hears of talented new writers that they show great promise... For Ann Patchett, the promise has already been fulfilled; with "The Patron Saint of Liars", she has arrived." Alice McDermott, of the "New York Times Book Review,"