Deficient Saints: A Tale of Maine

"Deficient Saints: A Tale of Maine" by Marshall Saunders is a story that takes place in the small town of Rossignol, Maine, focusing on Mrs. Hippolyta Prymmer, a peculiar widow with a notebook full of the names of dead people she knew. The narrative follows her relationships with the other people in town, especially when her son, Justin, comes back home with his new wife, Derrice, who she didn't expect. The story looks at what it means to be a family, what society expects from people, and how interesting life can be in a small, tight-knit place, with Mrs. Prymmer starting off caught up in her death-book as she is reminded of her past husbands; her life takes a surprising turn when Justin brings Derrice home, creating tension as the older Mrs. Prymmer struggles to understand Derrice's modern views, leading to both funny and touching moments, inviting readers to think about how families connect and struggle with each other.