Historical realistic fiction isn’t really my thing, but apparently sometimes–when the fiction is really well written and the story isn’t overly pious in nature–it really is. Julie Berry’s All the Truth That’s In Me was definitely a surprise game-changer in my book–I picked it up on a whim and ended up unable to stop binge-reading it until way past my bedtime!
The book is set at some point in time I think in the late 1700’s/early 1800’s somewhere in the Americas, presumably on the East Coast. It features a small town and all the gossip, social struggles and actual hardship attendant to life in such a small community. To be fair, I am no historian, so I have no idea whether a town at this time would have actually been like this or not. But at no time was I led to feel like it was completely far-fetched or unbelievable either.
The story follows Judith, a young woman who disappeared from town and her family for two years, returning suddenly one morning with half her tongue cut out. Her mother, ever living up to the don’t-want-to-be-shamed-by-the-Jones’s standard of the times refuses to allow her daughter to speak again. Judith, ever the dutiful daughter, obeys. But things aren’t bound to get better in this situation–Judith’s mother is cold and distant, favoring Judith’s younger brother repeatedly. Judith accepts this placement, and even her brother’s moniker “Worm” for her. (Actually, I’m still not sure I exactly understand why worm is his chosen nickname for her. Just because she can’t speak? She’s certainly not blind, deaf, slimy or stupid. Kind of baffling, actually. . . )
Judith is madly and irrevocably in love with the kind boy next door, who she’s taken to spying on. Daily. Constantly. Actually, kind of creepily, to be perfectly honest. But this is just the way things have always been between them, as they’ve grown up playmates together and living next door to each other. It seems, through Judith’s memories of him from the time before she disappeared, that he favored her, too, in a shier and quieter fashion.
But then that’s the strangeness of this whole situation, see: her captor was the boy next door’s father. Who had stolen away from his family, disappeared and left for dead, and forgotten for the most part. He kidnaps Judith, keeps her locked away in his cabin in the woods. With Judith’s return and coming of age, and the imminent threat of British soldiers coming to attack and pillage their village, the need to share her secret is unavoidable.
What I Liked About This Book:
1. The plot is not direct. In that, it’s not one of those stories that can be clearly summarized in a line, because there are so many factors that weigh in to create the final outcome of the story. That’s a good thing–and exactly what kept me up with the book all night!
2. Judith is a likable and believable heroine. At no time did she go Katniss, nor did she invoke the protagonist in Laure Halse Anderson’s Speak, which I had been quite worried would be the case, when I initially read the story’s synopsis. In some ways, she reminded me of a mute Clarey from Cassandra Clare’s Mortal Instruments series. She’s trying to be the best daughter and friend she can, but she also has moments when she knows she just needs to follow her own heart and take care of her own desires. She’s also no trembling violet–she sticks up for herself when she needs to, and that makes her all the more compelling.
3. The social relations in this town are actually kind of fascinating, and the author does a damn good job of painting brief but colorful pictures of these other characters. And all the characters are interesting–Ms. Berry’s got quite a talent for creating compelling characters, literally bringing to life even the most pastoral and unexciting of scenes. Honestly, I would have happily read a companion book that just provided the backstory on the other people in this town, sort of Spoon River style!
4. Even the most frustrating moments are compelling, and even the most annoying moments crystallize into something interesting and intriguing. Whether it’s the classroom, the courtroom, or one of the many different peeping toms, there’s such delicious scandal happening all around. Seriously, folks–this book is part of the reason why reality tv isn’t necessary in my household!
5. I really liked the depiction of small town, old school justice. The idea of how a “trial” at this time worked. I think it’s important for young readers to understand how these events in various time periods worked in order to better appreciate how the justice system works (or not) today. Learning from history, in all possible ways!
What I Didn’t Love About It:
1. This is a historical piece and, as a result, I kind of think Judith’s mom’s response towards her return may have been normal for that time period, but it’s hard to swallow in 2015.
2. Judith’s incredibly bold acts with the boy next door are also pretty unbelievable. Sure, she’s mute and undoubtedly has a hard life as a result, but I’m still not sure that a young woman at this time period would even consider–let alone act upon–the impulses to do some of the things she’s doing.
3. I’m not sure I fully believed the big reveal in the trial towards the end–kind of, but not completely. BUT it was written quite so well that I’m not sure I care. At no point in time did the plot line jar me from being able to suspend disbelief and enjoy the story and, in my mind, that makes for one interesting book!
4. Not sure about the cover. The girl’s pretty heavily made up, and I’m pretty certain make up wasn’t a thing back in the day . . .
Overall:
Such a good story, and even one that I’d consider bringing into a classroom for discussion. The characters are interesting, the setting is unique and different, and the plot has just the right mix of history and humor. Definitely worth the read!
Anyone out there take a look at this one yet? Have any other historical fiction worth reading?
The Alpha and the Omega: The Endless Ramblings of a YA Lit Lover 