Review: Saints of Augustine

Ryan, P. E. Saints of Augustine. HarperTeen, 2007.

After his mother dies, Charlie’s father buries his grief in alcohol, and Charlie tries to go on as if nothing has changed. He immerses himself in basketball, his girlfriend, Kate, and in taking care of his vintage Volkswagen bug.

After his dad leaves the family, Sam tries to keep his anger in check as he struggles to get along with his mother’s new boyfriend. He knows his father has left the family to be with his lover, David, even though neither of his parents want to talk about it openly.

Both Charlie and Sam have secrets: Charlie is $500 in debt to a drug dealer who has let him buy pot on credit all year long and now wants him to pay up. Sam is realizing that he is probably gay, but he’s hesitant to come out since his father has left the family.

At one time, Charlie and Sam were best friends, but they no longer speak. Sam had abruptly cut off their friendship a year before when he first realized he was attracted to Charlie and had nearly kissed him one night they spent together in a tent. He never said a thing to Charlie about why he didn’t want to hang out with him any more, something that has hurt Charlie deeply. Although they have nothing to do with each other any more, each one still thinks about the other and regrets their lost friendship.

Sam begins to feel certain of his sexuality when he starts hanging out with Justin, an openly gay teen, and realizes he is far more attracted to him then he ever has been to any girl. Together, the two of them explore the kitschy tourist traps of Saint Augustine, Florida, where they live. They share a first date and a first kiss.

Told in alternating points of view, Sam and Charlie live parallel lives for the last few weeks of summer vacation before their senior year, until a crises in each boy’s life brings them both together again.

P. E. Ryan offers a in-depth portrayal a gay teenager who is on the brink of coming out. Sam’s fears are realistic, as are the ways his friends and family react to him. He is most afraid of upsetting his mother, who has done nothing to stop her boyfriend’s frequent homophobic remarks. And he remembers every casual homophobic jeer Charlie has ever made. While none of these remarks have ever been aimed at directly at Sam, they have helped to create the hostile environment that has kept the lock on his closet door.