ISSUED: 22 July 2021
MEDIA CONTACT: Dana Costa
SHEPHERDSTOWN, WV — The West Virginia Library Commission is providing digital access to “The Patron Saint of Ugly” to anyone in the state, free of charge, through September 11.
Written by Marie Manilla, “The Patron Saint of Ugly” is the touching and lively story of Garnet Ferrari, a wonderful, witty, sharp-tongued girl and unwilling saint, whose story takes the reader from the volcanic mountains of Sicily to the Appalachian hills of her West Virginia home. Told through magic realism, the book deals with the nature of beauty, the harm of prejudice and stereotyping, and leaves readers with an understanding of true beauty and real saintliness.
Manilla’s book was chosen for the West Virginia Center for the Book’s One Book One West Virginia program, which selects a title each year from the body of work by the current Shepherd University Appalachian Heritage Writer-in-Residence.
One Book One West Virginia creates a type of statewide book club that encourages residents to share the experience of reading the same title, participate in an open dialog about the book’s themes, and discover contemporary Appalachian authors.
In addition to free digital access to “The Patron Saint of Ugly” until September 11, West Virginians can also download discussion questions that will spark conversations in classrooms or coffee shops, and join in a discussion about the book through the West Virginia Center for the Book Facebook page.
Download “The Patron Saint of Ugly” on the One Book One West Virginia website. Learn more about Maria Manilla on the Shepherd University Appalachian Heritage Writer-in-Residence website.
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