This is a book which must be read with an open mind and criticism as the subject in this book is a sensitive one (faith and Saint). Hitchens opened and closed his book with a thesis in "Judging Mother's Teresa reputation by her actions and words rather than her actions and words by her reputation." This is rather an eye-opening subject as prior to reading this book, I had no idea about the life of Mother Teresa other than she was a Nobel Peace Prize laureate and dedicated her life to charity's causes.

Hitchens' analysis began with explanations about the nature of Catholicism and how it was institutionalised and elements of conservatism in it which are not aligned with current situation. A simple example of it is how homosexual acts are condemned, heterosexual acts outside of marriage are condemned, and the sexual act within marriage is condemned too unless it has reproduction as its object. There's a case of extramarital sexual act as the result of mass rape in Bangladesh which resulted in the women got pregnant and had little choice other than getting abortion to the unwanted children. In this matter one should think carefully about the action to take than simply saying "Let the children be born and the orphanage will take care of them."

I like how deep the analysis of Hitchens regarding the life of Mother Teresa and how much contradiction that she had made during her life. However, the tendency of this book is highly against the nature of Catholicism and to Mother Teresa itself. Some people might not be able to accept the "bitter" truth in this book.