Saint

A scientist comes up with a theory that our memories are recorded in our DNA. Using his own DNA and a chimpanzee, the results seem promising. The scientist then puts in a request to the Roman Catholic Church to use the bones of a saint. The bones he gets might be those of St. Peter himself. I picked this book up on a whim ages ago, because it looked interesting and it certainly was. I found the concept that our memories are recorded in our DNA quite intriguing and the concept is just on the edge of belief, in my opinion. The characterizations in this book were wonderfully crafted and the story, for me anyway, moved along quite smoothly. I don't normally insist that my father read any of the books that I am reading, but I insisted that he read this one. And when I asked for the copy to be returned to me, he had loaned it to someone else.

What an amazing book! Bailey brings an original and unique approach to our current interest in DNA. I was swept up into the original story he created. I could't put it down once I got into it. Particularly pleased with his treatment of the female characters in the story. What a movie this would be! Methinks Mark Bailey can write!

Spring 1998 I was at a bookstore in Thousand Oaks, California. I stumbled into a small group discussing the SAINT. All had read the book except me, one of them had written it. From their excitement and Mark Bailey's answers, own questions, and listening responses, I bought a copy and read it. The science was believable enough for me to engage in the fiction. The author asks the serious questions of our time. His serious questions are in a novel form and also quite enteraining and engrossing. I didn't understand Cosa's reasons for wanting to be involved in the project. That weakened some of the suspense for me. And, Peter's decision at the end was a brilliant unifier...his second chance, his second choice between ordinariness and greatness. He demonstrated this time round his "saintliness" by celebrating and honoring and valuing, ordinariness. Mark Bailey deserves the opportunity to write more books. Originally, he wanted to name it WITHIN. I would like to know what more yet is to come out.

What an exciting 2 days I spent reading this book. I found I couldn't put it down. Mystery and suspense were there, but an even deeper message of faith. I think Mr. Bailey could have explored the state of the world and go more in depth to what he thinks a revived saint would say and how he would act. It felt like he just scratched the surface. Many possibilities can be explored.....I read the book in 2 days and haven't been able to stop thinking about it for the last 2 weeks. As a self-professed back-sliding Catholic, I feel like Mr.Bailey looked into my deepest thoughts and exposed all my feelings about the Church. Bingo!!

Mr. Bailey is one of a handful of authors who can tell a story beginning with unconnected characters and places and weave it together effectively. He balanced the characters and religous background exceptionally well, so it was a story not a proclamation of religion. In reading the book you could feel the wonder of the characters towards Peter. Well written, a must read.