Patron Saints of Nothing

Jay Reguero, a Filipino-American high school senior, learns his cousin Jun has been killed in President Duterte's war on drugs in the Philippines. Despite having fallen out of touch with Jun years ago, Jay decides to travel to the Philippines during spring break to uncover the truth about his cousin's death. In Manila, Jay encounters resistance from family members who seem unwilling to discuss Jun's fate. He navigates cultural barriers and family tensions while piecing together Jun's final months through old letters, conversations, and his own investigations. Moving between Metro Manila's wealthy enclaves and its impoverished neighborhoods, Jay confronts questions about privilege, justice, and what it means to be Filipino when straddling two cultures. The narrative examines the complexities of family loyalty against the backdrop of a nation grappling with violence and social upheaval. Identity and truth-seeking stand at the center of this story about moral responsibility and the cost of remaining silent. The novel raises questions about who has the right to judge, and what obligations we carry to those we've left behind.

Readers note the book provides a balanced look at the Philippines' drug war while exploring themes of identity, family, and guilt. The dual-perspective storytelling resonates with Filipino-American readers who see their cultural experiences reflected. Readers appreciated: - Complex moral questions without easy answers - Authentic portrayal of Filipino culture and customs - Character development of Jay and his journey - Educational value about Philippine politics and history Common criticisms: - Pacing issues in the middle sections - Some found the protagonist naive and frustrating - A few readers wanted more depth in secondary characters Ratings: Goodreads: 4.17/5 (11,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (300+ ratings) Book Riot Readers Poll: 4.5/5 "Finally a book that shows the complicated reality of being caught between two cultures" - Goodreads reviewer "The mystery pulls you in but the cultural insights make you stay" - Amazon reviewer "Some plot points felt rushed near the end" - LibraryThing review

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🔸 Randy Ribay drew from his own Filipino-American background to write this novel, having been born in the Philippines and raised in Michigan and Colorado. 🔸 The book tackles the controversial "War on Drugs" in the Philippines under President Rodrigo Duterte, during which thousands of people were killed in extrajudicial killings between 2016 and 2022. 🔸 "Patron Saints of Nothing" was a 2019 National Book Award Finalist and received five starred reviews from major literary publications. 🔸 The protagonist's journey mirrors a traditional Filipino concept called "balikbayan" - when overseas Filipinos return to their homeland to reconnect with their roots. 🔸 The author conducted extensive research in the Philippines, interviewing families affected by the drug war, to ensure authentic representation of this sensitive topic.