Wayward Saints

By Suzzy Roche

Whats the matter baby You look sad and lonely Like youre about to fall apart Why not look me in the eye Tell me the reason why You dont trust anyone Your crooked path and fall from grace A shadow cast all over the place Youre cracked up but youre holy too Hurt because youre black and blue Dont worry child, ever wild Youre stars are chipped in silver paint And youre a wayward saint A wayward saint, thats all Hello perfect stranger Broken heart and halo Where do the fallen angels go Lost in the milky way Hell bent on yesterday Hiding out and laying low Between the cracks on broken stairs Wild owers grow up everywhere Youre psychedelic, crazy too Just remember I love you Dont worry child, ever wild Its what you are not what you aint And youre a wayward saint A wayward saint, thats all

Listen to the song inspired by the novel now.

Song written by Suzzy Roche/Untodust Ditties ASCAP

www.suzzyroche.com @suzzyroche
January 2012

Reading Group Guide

Introduction

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Wayward Saints explores the life of Mary Saint, the rulebreaking former lead singer of the almost-famous band Sliced 8. Ham, after her fall from grace (and the public eye) seven years earlier. She has found a modest home in San Francisco, and, with the help of her best friend, Thaddeus, is trying to center her life and nd the peace she couldnt grasp as an out-of-control, rebellious rock star, or as a scared, abused young girl. Back in Marys hometown of Swallow, New York, her mother, Jean Saint, is also trying to get past Marys hurtful pastas well as her long, abusive, lonely marriage. When Mary is invited to give 9. a concert at her old high school, Jean is thrilled, but shes also worried about what her town will think of her daughters music. Though the concert brings Mary physically back to Swallow, its the bonds of family, and the self-con dence that she nds 10. while home, that nally bring Mary peace.

How, if at all, did Bubs letter to Jean and Mary change your opinion of him? Do you think Jean should have kept it to herself, or did she make the right decision in hiding it in Marys luggage? Consider the idea of leading a good lifeproper, diligent, politeversus a bad oneloud, antagonistic, impulsive. What did Jean sacri ce in order to lead a good life? What did Mary sacri ce in order to lead a bad one? Is one way any better than the other? How did Marys playing with the church band change her? How did it affect her relationship with music, with herself, and with her past? On the plane ying to East Swallow, Roche writes that Mary was calm but excited, thinking this must be what it feels like to be alive (p. 218 ). Why do you think Mary hadnt felt alive until that moment? What does that say about her earlier life choices and experiences?

Discussion Questions
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Were you familiar with Suzzy Roche and the Roches before 11. Suzzy writes of Mary, up onstage at the concert in Swallow, you read this book? If so, what did you learn about Suzzy Each song was a reminder of everywhere shed ever Roche that you wouldnt have known from her music? If been, of all that had gone wrong, of the choices shed not, did the book inspire you to listen to her music? made, the public exposure of her glorious mistakes; and what she had going for her now was the audacity to carry Suzzy is a singer and musician in real life. What parts on (p. 236). In what ways was the concert a triumph for of the book do you think bene ted most from Suzzys Mary? In what ways, if at all, was it a letdown? What do personal experience in the music industry? What do you you think Mary got out of the concert personally? feel you learned about Suzzy by reading this book? 12. How did Marys concert and visit home change her Wayward Saints is in many ways about the dreams of relationship with Jean? How did the visit also change fame clashing with the reality. What things in your own other peoples relationships: Jean and Vincent? Mary and life seemed more glamorous from afar? Have you ever Thaddeus? Mary and her hometown as a whole? worked hard to achieve something, only to nd that the reality wasnt at all what you expected? 13. Who is the authentic Mary Saint: the San Francisco, dogloving, coffee-shop-owning Mary, or the hard-rocking, How do you think Marys childhood in uenced who she harder-partying, screw-it-all Mary? Do you think people grew up to be? can truly follow such diverse paths at different times How did religion both strengthen and unsettle Mary and in their lives, or do we all eventually gravitate toward a Jean at various times in their lives? singular authentic persona? In what ways are Mary and Jean different? In what ways 14. Consider the title of the book. In what ways are Jean and are they similar? Mary both wayward?

A Conversation with Suzzy Roche

Q: When you began writing, did you consider writing a memoir, or did you intentionally lean toward ction? the business. In fact, she runs her own business. I told her right off the bat that if she wasnt willing to go to the wall, she might want to reconsider. The worst part is that she travels alone, and I spend many anxious nights waiting for a text from her telling me that shes okay. But I am a rm believer that Lucy should make her own choices. Im there to support those choices. She is a true original, and whatever she does will most likely be amazing to me.

A: Although Ive enjoyed reading memoirs, Ive never considered writing a memoir. For me, the problem with a memoir is that memory is slippery. As soon as something happens, it changes as a result of whatever happens next. Also, the way I see it, people I know and love have a right to their own privacy, and Id be too worried about hurting peoples feelings or saying something inaccurate. I prefer the world of ction, where my characters can surprise me by revealing certain ideas and feelings that may be roaming around in my subconscious mind. My imagination has always been my particular pathway Q: Who is your favorite character in Wayward Saints? If you could spend a day with that person, to writing, performing, and singing. The characters what would you want to do? in Wayward Saints are completely ctional, almost whimsical. Hopefully, they ring true. Ive discovered that A: Ha! Fun question. I admit that I have a soft spot for all writing ction is like dreaming all day long, and thats not my characters, but I wouldnt mind hanging out with to imply that Im an airhead! Thaddeus at Gods Kindness Church. Id love to learn how to be able to be truly kind. Q: Your daughter Lucy is also a musician. Did you support her going into the industry? Q: Which do you think is a more revealing experience: writing a book or performing a song? A: This is a dif cult question. Its not an easy life, even with success. But then again, what life is? A: To me they are two sides of a coin. I confess I often have Lucy has always had an uncommonly pure and a hard time in social situations. I love to listen to other beautiful voice. I remember once, when she was a tiny people talk, but I can be terribly shy. There is nothing like girl, maybe three years old, she looked up at me and said, standing on a stage because you cannot hide. Especially Music is my life. Frankly, it startled me. Lucy grew up for a private person, like myself, its like being on a on the road with the Roches, and almost everyone on tightwireexcruciating, Id say. But its a place of truth. both sides of her family is a musician/songwriter, but she For a shy person, performing is a way to communicate. showed a great interest in working with children (to this Likewise, writing a book is a way to communicate. day, she is a baby magnet). Maybe Im writing to an imaginary best friend. I have to She achieved her masters in education and the very assume that someonesomewherewill understand next day went on the road with her brother Rufus, and what I mean. But its a risk to sit alone and write a book. shes been on the road ever since. In four years she has Its a lonely process, which requires an enormous amount made three recordings, written great songs, and built an of faith. For me, faith is a big part of both experiences. impressive following. She knows the harsh realities of

Q: Wayward Saints explores the power of music, family, faith, and second chances. Which of these themes is personally most important to you? A: All of the themes are compelling to me (and dont forget violence), and in particular how they bump up against each other; but especially as I get older, the exploration of faith and how it intersects with art is of particular interest to me. And then theres always the power of love and forgiveness.

Q: From teaching to composing to writing to acting to directing, your work has spanned quite the creative range. Is there anything else youd like Q: What kind of reader did you have to try your hand at? in mind when you wrote this A: Its funny, I guess I have done all these things you mention, bookyounger, older, urban, rural? Did you write but sometimes I feel like Ive never done a thing! I consider with your music fans in mind? myself a scrappy, hungry scavenger, in search of the next A: The corny truth is, I wrote from the bottom of my heart, idea. I have always lived on the edge, never really knowing and had to turn my back, even on my own snarky self, to where my next project will be lurking, and Ive often lived allow myself an imaginary, genuine reader. in fear of not being able to pay my rent. Whats amazing to Having been involved with countless projects that me is that Ive been blessed to work creatively throughout demanded forays into uncharted territory, Ive realized my life. that no matter what I do, there will be some people But I also learned something very early on, which is who will like what Ive created and some people who that every single thing I do is just as important as every will not. The world is a gigantic theater, so the trick is other thing I do. I admit that I feel best when I have a how to find the right audience. Again, its a mystery. project to work on, but those weeks and months of lost But, dear reader, I know youre out there somewhere, wanderingand even despairusually lead me to my and thank you. next idea. I guess its like shing: you have to be willing

to sit and wait with your shing pole in the water. As for what Id like to do next? I love to collaborate, and so Im always looking for soul mates to work with; I learn so much from collaborating, even if its painting a room with someone. But hopefully, I will continue to practice the art of singing and playing a songa lifelong pursuit. And Id like to be able to write another novel, because I think Im already a better writer than I was.