Book Review: "Saints" by Amy Jeffs

I have read the other books by Amy Jeffs respectably called Storyland and Wild. These books are both absolutely incredible and after reading them, I'm not sure that you would choose not to read her but, I think that instead curiosity would kill the cat and eventually, you will be overcome with that sense of longing for the knowledge that she has. An evocative retelling of the mythology of saints' lives, Amy Jeffs creates a compelling narrative out of fictions and histories from the church and its lesser known dates and folk. Amy Jeffs gives us a passionate and incredible account of these stories that, for some of us, would not have even been realised without her.

Saints retells stories that shaped medieval Europe’s cultural and religious landscape. Jeffs resurrects tales of saints who were miracle workers, adventurers, and sometimes social rebels. These figures shaped both Christian devotion and local folklore across Europe. Saints like St. Mungo (who resurrected birds) or St. George (the dragon-slayer) had profound religious and social impact, influencing how people understood divine intervention​. It is quite interesting to find out what these people from the past believed because of the stories they were exposed to. It really does make us think about the information and misinformation of our own times and what would happen if we were all of a sudden told that the information we have read is not true or accurate.

The book includes famous saints like St. Patrick, who brought Christianity to Ireland, and lesser-known saints like Scoithín and Ia, whose stories survive through oral traditions. The legends reflect a variety of Christian experiences, from martyrs who died for their faith to hermits who sought isolation. This broad collection provides insight into how these figures varied in their spiritual journeys but shared a deep influence on society. The thing I like about Jeffs' writing is that she always tells us when something has historical sources or not and this is where we get the lesser known saints. She tells us right away that there is not much historical detail for these and so, the reader can make up their own mind as to what they think.

One of the book’s recurring themes is the distinction between magic and miracles. Saints, though aligned with God, often performed acts that seemed more akin to sorcery—healing the sick, raising the dead, or communing with animals. Jeffs explores how the medieval mindset often blurred these lines, with saints navigating between the miraculous and the magical, sometimes conflicting with the church’s views​. I like this because it offers up so many possibilities. One of those is the folklore tradition, the other is the idea that the church may have created this weird obsession with martyrs.

The legends show saints performing incredible feats: from St. Francis, who communicated with animals, to women like St. Euphrosyne, who defied gender roles by disguising themselves as monks. These stories highlight the connection between saints and the natural world, human frailty, and even demonic forces. Jeffs’ retellings make clear that these stories were not only religious but were also deeply ingrained in the folklore of each region. You guys know how I feel about folklore - I absolutely love it. The story about a man disguising himself as a priest he was hiding in his house is one of my personal favourites from the anthology, but the St Francis story is another because of its folklore tropes.

The author draws on a rich variety of sources, including official hagiographies, secular romances, religious texts, and even ribald poetry. She uses this mix to showcase how saints’ lives were not just religious models but also symbols of human strength and weakness, embodying the full spectrum of medieval storytelling. The saints’ roles in these stories often reflect societal values, such as heroism, chastity, and defiance​. It is a beautiful way of exploring a history of stories and I think that this is probably one of her best books so far because of it.

All in all, the author invites readers into an enchanting, sometimes strange, world where saints face off against demons, dragons, and magical forces. Their miracles—whether reviving severed heads, taming wild animals, or facing down sorcery—create a vivid picture of a world where the divine and the human were closely intertwined. The narratives are both fantastical and deeply human, offering a glimpse into how medieval people understood the intersection of faith, power, and mystery​. Trust me, it's fantastic.