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校褋褟 锌褉邪胁写邪 胁 屑械薪褨
效芯褌懈褉懈 褉芯泻懈 褌芯屑褍 屑褨褋褌械褔泻芯 袪芯蟹胁械谢谢-小褌械泄褕薪 褋泻芯谢懈褏薪褍谢邪 褋褌褉邪褕薪邪 薪芯胁懈薪邪: 蟹薪懈泻谢懈 写胁褨 写褨胁褔懈薪懈 鈥� 袛卸褍写褨褌 蟹褨 褋胁芯褦褞 薪邪泄泻褉邪褖芯褞 锌芯写褉褍谐芯褞. 袗 褌械锌械褉 袛卸褍写褨褌 锌芯胁械褉薪褍谢邪褋褟 鈥� 蟹谢邪屑邪薪邪 褨 薪褨屑邪. 袙褨写 写褨胁褔懈薪懈 胁褨写胁械褉褌邪褞褌褜褋褟 褉褨写薪褨 褌邪 蟹薪邪泄芯屑褨 鈥� 胁褋褨, 芯泻褉褨屑 袥褍泻邪褋邪, 写褉褍谐邪 写懈褌懈薪褋褌胁邪. 袛卸褍写褨褌 卸懈胁械 薪邪褔械 锌褉懈胁懈写, 褌邪 芯写薪芯谐芯 写薪褟 胁褋褨 褌邪褦屑薪懈褑褨 屑褨褋褌械褔泻邪 褋锌谢懈胁邪褞褌褜 薪邪 锌芯胁械褉褏薪褞, 褨 写褨胁褔懈薪邪 芯锌懈薪褟褦褌褜褋褟 锌械褉械写 胁懈斜芯褉芯屑: 蟹邪谢懈褕懈褌懈褋褟 褍 褋胁芯褦屑褍 屑芯胁褔邪蟹薪芯屑褍 褋胁褨褌褨 鈥� 邪 褔懈 胁褨写薪芯胁懈褌懈 谐芯谢芯褋, 泻褉褍褌芯 蟹胁械褉薪褍胁褕懈 褨蟹 锌褉芯褌芯锌褌邪薪芯褩 褋褌械卸泻懈.
芦校褋褟 锌褉邪胁写邪 胁 屑械薪褨禄 鈥� 胁褨写胁械褉褌懈泄 褌邪 褖械屑泻懈泄 褉芯屑邪薪, 褟泻懈泄 胁褉邪蟹懈褌褜 薪邪胁褨褌褜 薪邪泄胁懈斜邪谐谢懈胁褨褕懈褏 褔懈褌邪褔褨胁.
芦校褋褟 锌褉邪胁写邪 胁 屑械薪褨禄 鈥� 胁褨写胁械褉褌懈泄 褌邪 褖械屑泻懈泄 褉芯屑邪薪, 褟泻懈泄 胁褉邪蟹懈褌褜 薪邪胁褨褌褜 薪邪泄胁懈斜邪谐谢懈胁褨褕懈褏 褔懈褌邪褔褨胁.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published August 31, 2013
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22.9k people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,855 reviews
August 10, 2013
As always, tacky though it may seem to rate and review my own book, how can I not? I love this book with, well, all the love that's in me. ;) I hope you enjoy it too. I love reading your thoughts on 欧宝娱乐.
August 5, 2016
4.5 stars There are about 100 reasons why this book wouldn't normally work for me. The story is related in fragments, often consisting of no more than half a page. The timeline is fluid, shifting between past and present. It's told in flipping SECOND PERSON NARRATIVE. But it works, it works beautifully.
Full review is on the blog:
Full review is on the blog:
October 5, 2013
Darrel once read to Mother the tale of a girl in France who heard angel voices telling her to save her people from the English. She dressed as a man and spoke with fire and eloquence. She raised an army and defeated the invaders, all for the love of her motherland. For her courage and her passion, she later burned to death, called a witch and heretic. Do I love you less than she loved soil?
I have no words to save you.
I'll be honest, when I read the blurb for this book, I did not imagine it as I read it. To say the blurb and cover are misleading would be an understatement!
This is the story of Judith Finch, who disappeared one day, never to be scene until one day she came back. Mute. The reason is shrouded in secrecy.
Instead of being welcomed with open arms by her family and community she is ostracized. The fact that she has survived does not matter, the question on everyone's lips: whether or not she is still pure. Because she is mute she cannot give them an answer, and by default she becomes lower than the lowest of creatures.
She watches silently on the sidelines as everyone she grew up with lives a full life. No one will speak to her, no one even acknowledges her.
Who will help me? Why does everyone presume that I, as damaged merchandise, forfeit any claim to happiness? That I expect nothing, have no ambitions or longings of my own? When was it agreed that my lot would be to gladly serve as prop and a crutch for others who are whole.
Now don't get me wrong, Judith never complains, she is the most selfless and caring person I have ever read. Her unconditional love for her mother and brother is amazing! But she never sees herself as worthy, rightly so, because no one ever gives her reason to. She is no longer a person, because of her inability to speak.
What did I expect?
A modern day novel about a girl who was kidnapped and then later found broken but she would persevere, finding love and healing.
What did I get?
An historical novel. (The century, year is unclear)
A story written in lyrical prose. In fact it was so lyrical I thought I was reading poetry.
A darkly depressing novel.
Final Thoughts
Despite being mislead, I can't give this book less than 5 stars.
Why?
Because this book moved me, it made me feel deeply. I actually texted Skank (Soraya Naomi) and asked if it is possible to feel angst while reading such lyrical prose? Off course she replied, yes!
This is definitely a darker read, with some thriller aspects. Now I'd like to add that this is not a religious book, but because of the time period and kind of community that Judith is from, religion does play a huge part in this story. Unfortunately it does not play in favour of Judith's existence.
Note: 1. Yes this is a love story, although the "romance" is secondary.
2. My casting, this is the closest to the Judith I see in my head
I have no words to save you.
I'll be honest, when I read the blurb for this book, I did not imagine it as I read it. To say the blurb and cover are misleading would be an understatement!
This is the story of Judith Finch, who disappeared one day, never to be scene until one day she came back. Mute. The reason is shrouded in secrecy.
Instead of being welcomed with open arms by her family and community she is ostracized. The fact that she has survived does not matter, the question on everyone's lips: whether or not she is still pure. Because she is mute she cannot give them an answer, and by default she becomes lower than the lowest of creatures.
She watches silently on the sidelines as everyone she grew up with lives a full life. No one will speak to her, no one even acknowledges her.
Who will help me? Why does everyone presume that I, as damaged merchandise, forfeit any claim to happiness? That I expect nothing, have no ambitions or longings of my own? When was it agreed that my lot would be to gladly serve as prop and a crutch for others who are whole.
Now don't get me wrong, Judith never complains, she is the most selfless and caring person I have ever read. Her unconditional love for her mother and brother is amazing! But she never sees herself as worthy, rightly so, because no one ever gives her reason to. She is no longer a person, because of her inability to speak.
What did I expect?
A modern day novel about a girl who was kidnapped and then later found broken but she would persevere, finding love and healing.
What did I get?
An historical novel. (The century, year is unclear)
A story written in lyrical prose. In fact it was so lyrical I thought I was reading poetry.
A darkly depressing novel.
Final Thoughts
Despite being mislead, I can't give this book less than 5 stars.
Why?
Because this book moved me, it made me feel deeply. I actually texted Skank (Soraya Naomi) and asked if it is possible to feel angst while reading such lyrical prose? Off course she replied, yes!
This is definitely a darker read, with some thriller aspects. Now I'd like to add that this is not a religious book, but because of the time period and kind of community that Judith is from, religion does play a huge part in this story. Unfortunately it does not play in favour of Judith's existence.
Note: 1. Yes this is a love story, although the "romance" is secondary.
2. My casting, this is the closest to the Judith I see in my head
April 4, 2021
This was a heart-pounding, fast paced, incredible read! I want to give this novel a 10+ stars rating! Historical fiction lovers will love this one, but this story about abduction (with an odd twist!), captivity and victim shaming could so easily be transposed to today's time period: not much has really changed.
Judith Finch is a young Puritan girl who has become the town pariah. One night, she vanished from Roswell Station, only to return two years later, missing most of her tongue. She is questioned by the town's elders: who abducted her? where was she held? was she still "pure" and unmolested?
With her extremely limited writing skills, Judith assures the elders that her "purity" or maidenhood is still intact but responds "I do not know" to the rest of the inquisition. Despite her reassurances of her continued "purity" the townspeople treat her like a fallen woman. In fact, Judith's mother is the worst offender, proclaiming bitterly that Judith is now cursed and that she was the cause her father's early death - brought on by grief and stress over her disappearance. At one point Judith comments wryly that she is being punished for sins she never chose to commit.
The first few chapters are downright riveting. Two years after her return, the town comes under attack from raiders from a rival settlement, who ruthlessly intend to slaughter the current settlers and take over Roswell Station's fertile farmlands.
Judith has to decide between doing nothing or returning to her captor (no spoilers here as to why!) and ask for help for her town. The entire battle scene had me glued to the edge of my seat. That was some superior writing!
Throughout this story, Judith remained strong and grounded, despite the loss of her social status and the destruction of her relationship with her childhood friend and secret crush, Lucas Whiting.
Lucas had made it clear to Judith from a very young age that he was interested in her, however he backed away from her when he saw what had been done to her. I was so proud of Judith when she finally accepted that their young love had not ( and really could not have) survived everything that had happened during those two horrible years of her captivity. She and Lucas were no longer those sweet, innocent teens, untouched by the brutal realities of life.
But, ultimately, Lucas can't deny his feelings for Judith, and he redeems himself in the reader's eyes by his subsequent actions. I applauded this author's attempts to portray a more true to life hero, with real flaws and all the typical hormonal behavior of the very young male. Despite his shortcomings, I had a soft spot for Lucas - they were both so young and hemmed in by their social and religious beliefs. What do we know of true and lasting love at that age? But Lucas's rekindled love for Judith was certainly put to the test - and this time he did not forsake her!
My thanks to Chelsea Shepherd, another 欧宝娱乐 reviewer, who provided an excellent and detailed historical analysis of the time period and setting of this novel, (which was left deliberately vague by the first person narrator, Judith Finch.) The writing is superb - downright beautiful in some places. The action is outstanding, and the storytelling was mind-blowing. I plan to read this one again - and soon! Highly, highly recommended!!!
PostScript: I just finished listening to the audiobook of All the Truth That's in Me. It was an excellent production, and I felt transported back into Judith and Lucas's world once again! You have to read this book or listen to the audio version. Julie Berry is pure magic!
Judith Finch is a young Puritan girl who has become the town pariah. One night, she vanished from Roswell Station, only to return two years later, missing most of her tongue. She is questioned by the town's elders: who abducted her? where was she held? was she still "pure" and unmolested?
With her extremely limited writing skills, Judith assures the elders that her "purity" or maidenhood is still intact but responds "I do not know" to the rest of the inquisition. Despite her reassurances of her continued "purity" the townspeople treat her like a fallen woman. In fact, Judith's mother is the worst offender, proclaiming bitterly that Judith is now cursed and that she was the cause her father's early death - brought on by grief and stress over her disappearance. At one point Judith comments wryly that she is being punished for sins she never chose to commit.
The first few chapters are downright riveting. Two years after her return, the town comes under attack from raiders from a rival settlement, who ruthlessly intend to slaughter the current settlers and take over Roswell Station's fertile farmlands.
Judith has to decide between doing nothing or returning to her captor (no spoilers here as to why!) and ask for help for her town. The entire battle scene had me glued to the edge of my seat. That was some superior writing!
Throughout this story, Judith remained strong and grounded, despite the loss of her social status and the destruction of her relationship with her childhood friend and secret crush, Lucas Whiting.
Lucas had made it clear to Judith from a very young age that he was interested in her, however he backed away from her when he saw what had been done to her. I was so proud of Judith when she finally accepted that their young love had not ( and really could not have) survived everything that had happened during those two horrible years of her captivity. She and Lucas were no longer those sweet, innocent teens, untouched by the brutal realities of life.
But, ultimately, Lucas can't deny his feelings for Judith, and he redeems himself in the reader's eyes by his subsequent actions. I applauded this author's attempts to portray a more true to life hero, with real flaws and all the typical hormonal behavior of the very young male. Despite his shortcomings, I had a soft spot for Lucas - they were both so young and hemmed in by their social and religious beliefs. What do we know of true and lasting love at that age? But Lucas's rekindled love for Judith was certainly put to the test - and this time he did not forsake her!
My thanks to Chelsea Shepherd, another 欧宝娱乐 reviewer, who provided an excellent and detailed historical analysis of the time period and setting of this novel, (which was left deliberately vague by the first person narrator, Judith Finch.) The writing is superb - downright beautiful in some places. The action is outstanding, and the storytelling was mind-blowing. I plan to read this one again - and soon! Highly, highly recommended!!!
PostScript: I just finished listening to the audiobook of All the Truth That's in Me. It was an excellent production, and I felt transported back into Judith and Lucas's world once again! You have to read this book or listen to the audio version. Julie Berry is pure magic!
December 4, 2019
I read this for a group challenge and it鈥檚 not what I expected at all 馃
Mel 馃枻馃惗馃惡馃惥
Mel 馃枻馃惗馃惡馃惥
September 24, 2013
A strange, yet somehow compelling book, All The Truth That's in Me gives a reading experience like no other. I can't say I've read anything quite like this before. The best way to describe it is different!
The way this book is written is as if, especially during the first part, we're seeing a story unfold through bursts of randomized life flashes. There's an editor's note at the beginning of my copy that describes it as "a pinhole narrative - you start out looking through a tiny hole that allows you to see only a fraction of Judith's world, and as the story goes on, the pinhole widens" It's the the perfect way to describe the storytelling style. As you can guess, it's not the kind of story where you fall into place right away, it takes time to situate yourself and make sense of anything you're reading. But, it also compels you to move forward despite the disorientation it causes. The 2nd person narrative makes this novel even more unique. Judith is telling her story directly to Lucas - the boy she loves. As if in letter form. As if YOU were Lucas. Even though it threw me off my game once or twice where I had to stop and think for a second who she was referring to, I did find it was a brilliant choice for the type of novel this was.
All in all, and it's a strange opinion, but I feel like I enjoyed the book, yet I did not. When I wasn't reading I would find myself constantly thinking about it, but when I was reading, I felt restless, needing to make an effort to focus on the passages I was reading. I found the plot was very slow to progress even after the story got clear enough for me to grasp it in its entirety. Additionally, I was not aware this book was a historical fiction before I picked it up and read it - the blurb being too vague to make out much of anything (funnily, this ambiguity is what made me want to read it in the first place). This genre happens to be one I very rarely read and one of my least favorites. Thus I attribute some of my boredom to that alone. On that note, the setting is never entirely established either, particularly in a historical sense. It makes it difficult to understand what kind of societal mindset we are dealing with. Nevertheless, due to the unique quality of the story and writing, I would still call this an exceptional read despite my ennui. Hence my all-over-the-place feelings (and review) toward the complete package!
What compelled me to keep reading, even re-read pages I dozed through, was the mystery as well as Judith's determination in taking her life back after this trauma. Some parts are disturbing, some empowering. Through it all she stays much stronger than I would have in her shoes; not only does she have to live with what's happened, her loss of voice is viewed with repugnance by others. It's nothing but a tiny village with nowhere else to go. Though tiny, it's a village surrounded by a mystery that had me NEEDING to find out the conclusion of. Finally, the fourth part of this book is superb, and it immediately made me want to give this 4 stars upon finishing; except I can't ignore my earlier boredom. I do want everyone to read this, however, if only to experience it. The originality alone might make you a fan among many!
--
An advance copy was provided by the publisher for review.
For more of my reviews, visit my blog at
The way this book is written is as if, especially during the first part, we're seeing a story unfold through bursts of randomized life flashes. There's an editor's note at the beginning of my copy that describes it as "a pinhole narrative - you start out looking through a tiny hole that allows you to see only a fraction of Judith's world, and as the story goes on, the pinhole widens" It's the the perfect way to describe the storytelling style. As you can guess, it's not the kind of story where you fall into place right away, it takes time to situate yourself and make sense of anything you're reading. But, it also compels you to move forward despite the disorientation it causes. The 2nd person narrative makes this novel even more unique. Judith is telling her story directly to Lucas - the boy she loves. As if in letter form. As if YOU were Lucas. Even though it threw me off my game once or twice where I had to stop and think for a second who she was referring to, I did find it was a brilliant choice for the type of novel this was.
All in all, and it's a strange opinion, but I feel like I enjoyed the book, yet I did not. When I wasn't reading I would find myself constantly thinking about it, but when I was reading, I felt restless, needing to make an effort to focus on the passages I was reading. I found the plot was very slow to progress even after the story got clear enough for me to grasp it in its entirety. Additionally, I was not aware this book was a historical fiction before I picked it up and read it - the blurb being too vague to make out much of anything (funnily, this ambiguity is what made me want to read it in the first place). This genre happens to be one I very rarely read and one of my least favorites. Thus I attribute some of my boredom to that alone. On that note, the setting is never entirely established either, particularly in a historical sense. It makes it difficult to understand what kind of societal mindset we are dealing with. Nevertheless, due to the unique quality of the story and writing, I would still call this an exceptional read despite my ennui. Hence my all-over-the-place feelings (and review) toward the complete package!
What compelled me to keep reading, even re-read pages I dozed through, was the mystery as well as Judith's determination in taking her life back after this trauma. Some parts are disturbing, some empowering. Through it all she stays much stronger than I would have in her shoes; not only does she have to live with what's happened, her loss of voice is viewed with repugnance by others. It's nothing but a tiny village with nowhere else to go. Though tiny, it's a village surrounded by a mystery that had me NEEDING to find out the conclusion of. Finally, the fourth part of this book is superb, and it immediately made me want to give this 4 stars upon finishing; except I can't ignore my earlier boredom. I do want everyone to read this, however, if only to experience it. The originality alone might make you a fan among many!
--
An advance copy was provided by the publisher for review.
For more of my reviews, visit my blog at
September 28, 2013
In life, there are always those books you just know you're going to read, no matter what; maybe it's written by your favorite author or it came highly recommended by a trusted reviewer or maybe the cover is just too pretty to resist. And then there are the books you read because you're curious; because a certain review sparked your interest or the author said something remarkable in an interview or the cover flashed by your vision and you couldn't stop thinking about it. For me,All the Truth That's In Me falls into the latter category. Needless to say, this novel took me by surprise, but in all the best ways. While I began this novel with trepidation - after all, it is full of Things That Shouldn't Work - I closed it with the awed expression of a reader whose expectations have been blown sky high.
Things That Shouldn't Work (But Did!)
1. Second Person Narration
Only three years ago, a friend and I wrote a short story together. It was an intense, psychological piece about two friends - one German and one Jewish - whose friendship was ripped apart by WWII. Nothing unique, except for the fact that it was written in second person. (A decision our teacher didn't condone at all, so we were forced to revert to third person, though I believe our second person version is still lying around somewhere in the depths of my e-mail folder.)
Quite simply put, second person narration doesn't work for a lot of people, both readers and writers. It's tricky, it's frustrating, and at times unnecessarily complicated. Thus, to see Berry execute it with such ease, poise, and sheer talent is nothing short of brilliant. All the Truth That's In Me works as a letter, of sorts, from Judith to her childhood lover, Lucas. Judith, at fourteen, was kept captive in the woods, but is sent back, years later, with her tongue cut off. Unable to talk and thought to be cursed by her small Puritan town - including her own mother - Judith learns to live in silence. Her second person narration works seamlessly with her story line, conveying the horror of her cruel past, the isolation of her present, and the bleakness of her future. Moreover, it is strangely intimate, allowing us to see Judith in both her strongest and weakest lights. Ever since she was a young girl, Judith has been in love with Lucas, and with her directly speaking to him, so much of her nature seeps through these pages - her loyalty, fierce love, and even obsessiveness. It's a truly wise decision that enables us, the reader, to understand Judith on a much deeper level, practically crawling into her thoughts.
2. Puritans
I feel as if it's an unspoken rule that only Nathaniel Hawthorne can pull off the Puritans. (And, let me make it very clear, I love The Scarlett Letter like I love The Great Gatsby, so believe me when I say I'd kill to have written that book.) While the precise setting of All the Truth That's In Me is not given, it is clear that the novel takes place in a historical era, one where pilgrims have only recently escaped religious persecution, are required to attend church every Sunday,听 and live by rigid moral laws. If that doesn't practically spell "Puritan" then I don't know what does.
While I really enjoyed this setting while reading the novel, I thought - extensively - about how the story would have been different in modern-day society. Why does an author make the decision to anchor a novel in a certain time period after all, especially when the events in this book - kidnapping, estrangement, societal mistreatment - could have happened today too? I think the beauty of this novel lies in the answer to that question. From the surface, the cruel punishments Judith bears upon her return - the blame for her father's death, a stigma as a whore, complete estrangement by former friends - can be attributed to the rigidity of the morals the Puritans lived by. After all, in a society with much looser morals, mightn't have Judith's homecoming have been a different experience? Maybe, but maybe not. What this Puritan setting does so well is emphasize the inherent evils visible in humans, and that faint line drawn between black and white becomes all the more hard to see set against this time period. Berry paints depicts this morality question beautifully, creating complicated relationships that can claim no simple label. I love that Judith shares so many different types of relationships - with her mother, with her brother, with her friends - but they all contain aspects of this time period and are deliciously ambiguous when it comes to the question of morality. Moreover, I love my historical fiction, so details of Judith's struggle in this century only made her story more authentic.
3. Childhood Romance
I know I struggle with love stories - namely, their believability - but childhood romances practically never work for me. I find that authors seem to take it for granted that the duration of time these characters have known each other should equate love. It doesn't, but thankfully Berry doesn't fall into that trap. Very carefully, she builds a contrast between Judith's love for Lucas as a child, and then as an adult. I particularly love how true to age Berry remains, showing us the naivety of a girl's dreams and then the truth of a woman's reality. Now, after her ordeal, Judith returns to see Lucas gearing up to marry the town belle and, as such, her love changes. It remains, constant and true, no matter what, but it also slowly acknowledges that Lucas is not the paragon of perfection that she's built him up to be. One of my favorite aspects of this novel is that Judith's growth and maturity is so closely tied with the romance; that the most important lesson she learns is to fall in love with the truth - of her past, of her deformity, and of love. Just the fact that Judith is able to eventually come to love Lucas despite - and maybe for - his flaws makes their love story all the more realistic and durable. It isn't an easy journey, but it is certainly a rewarding one.
4. Maiming & Disabilities听
I recently - or the lack of it - in YA. And while All the Truth That's In Me doesn't necessarily involve non-white characters, it does feature a protagonist who is maimed. Judith's speechlessness is derived from her own physical barriers, unlike most heroines, which makes this novel fall into 2.9% of novels in 2013 with disabled characters. Normally, this fact would probably remain rather unremarkable. After all, many novels feature secondary character with disabilities and, either way, Judith's inability to speak is an enormous plot device. And yet, Berry truly give this issue so much more depth. Not only does Judith work at regaining her ability to speak fluently, but she feels - constantly - the unfairness of her circumstances.听
"Will I help him make something of his life? Who will help me? Why does everyone presume that I, as damaged merchandise, forfeit any claim to happiness? That I expect nothing, have no ambitions or longings of my own? When was it agreed that my lot would be to gladly serve as a prop and a crutch for others who are whole?" (Berry, 53%)*
Instead of her disability making her the center of attention, Judith is pushed into the very corners of thought, her silence taken for granted as听acquiescence. Essentially, her speechlessness makes her come across as a woman with no thoughts or opinions of her own. I love that Berry touched upon these ideals, only because they weren't ever ones I would have considered and this is precisely why I read: to be introduced to new ways of thinking.
5. A "Pinhole" Plot
I've heard this novel being described as a "pinhole" one, or one in which the entirety of the story is revealed as the book wears on. Well, let me tell you now, these "pinhole" methods never work for me. Never. I have no patience for authors who tantalizingly dangle answers just out of my grasp, so color me surprised to find myself flipping through the pages of this novel gleefully - "pinhole" storytelling and all. What Berry does, that most authors don't, however, is reveal pieces of information in a timely fashion. It is evident, from early in the story, who Judith's kidnapper is. And yet, the full details of her ordeal are never revealed until the end. Instead, small flashbacks litter the narration, working beautifully to weave mystery and thrill into this otherwise seemingly romantic tale. While I remain a fan of the slow, languid prose used in this novel, not to mention the character-driven plot focus, I am sure that not all readers will agree. And yet, I felt as if these purposeful decisions only worked to strengthen the plot, making us care for these characters and drown in seas of emotion. I know that by the end of this book, I was gripping the edge of my chair, unsure whether or not to laugh or cry or scream. And I love that build-up of tension, that slow unraveling of mystery, and the eventual - realistic - conclusion of a well-told tale.
All the Truth That's In Me truly hit all the right notes, at least in my book. Not only did it take a myriad of challenging qualities (see above) and make them work, but it also took the essentials I look for in a good story - characters with depth, thriller plot lines, and emotional undertones - and excelled in those areas as well. While I've never read any of Berry's past novels, you can be sure that I will - eagerly - be checking out her future YA works. After I own this beautiful hardcover on my shelves, that is.
You can read and more on my blog,
Things That Shouldn't Work (But Did!)
1. Second Person Narration
Only three years ago, a friend and I wrote a short story together. It was an intense, psychological piece about two friends - one German and one Jewish - whose friendship was ripped apart by WWII. Nothing unique, except for the fact that it was written in second person. (A decision our teacher didn't condone at all, so we were forced to revert to third person, though I believe our second person version is still lying around somewhere in the depths of my e-mail folder.)
Quite simply put, second person narration doesn't work for a lot of people, both readers and writers. It's tricky, it's frustrating, and at times unnecessarily complicated. Thus, to see Berry execute it with such ease, poise, and sheer talent is nothing short of brilliant. All the Truth That's In Me works as a letter, of sorts, from Judith to her childhood lover, Lucas. Judith, at fourteen, was kept captive in the woods, but is sent back, years later, with her tongue cut off. Unable to talk and thought to be cursed by her small Puritan town - including her own mother - Judith learns to live in silence. Her second person narration works seamlessly with her story line, conveying the horror of her cruel past, the isolation of her present, and the bleakness of her future. Moreover, it is strangely intimate, allowing us to see Judith in both her strongest and weakest lights. Ever since she was a young girl, Judith has been in love with Lucas, and with her directly speaking to him, so much of her nature seeps through these pages - her loyalty, fierce love, and even obsessiveness. It's a truly wise decision that enables us, the reader, to understand Judith on a much deeper level, practically crawling into her thoughts.
2. Puritans
I feel as if it's an unspoken rule that only Nathaniel Hawthorne can pull off the Puritans. (And, let me make it very clear, I love The Scarlett Letter like I love The Great Gatsby, so believe me when I say I'd kill to have written that book.) While the precise setting of All the Truth That's In Me is not given, it is clear that the novel takes place in a historical era, one where pilgrims have only recently escaped religious persecution, are required to attend church every Sunday,听 and live by rigid moral laws. If that doesn't practically spell "Puritan" then I don't know what does.
While I really enjoyed this setting while reading the novel, I thought - extensively - about how the story would have been different in modern-day society. Why does an author make the decision to anchor a novel in a certain time period after all, especially when the events in this book - kidnapping, estrangement, societal mistreatment - could have happened today too? I think the beauty of this novel lies in the answer to that question. From the surface, the cruel punishments Judith bears upon her return - the blame for her father's death, a stigma as a whore, complete estrangement by former friends - can be attributed to the rigidity of the morals the Puritans lived by. After all, in a society with much looser morals, mightn't have Judith's homecoming have been a different experience? Maybe, but maybe not. What this Puritan setting does so well is emphasize the inherent evils visible in humans, and that faint line drawn between black and white becomes all the more hard to see set against this time period. Berry paints depicts this morality question beautifully, creating complicated relationships that can claim no simple label. I love that Judith shares so many different types of relationships - with her mother, with her brother, with her friends - but they all contain aspects of this time period and are deliciously ambiguous when it comes to the question of morality. Moreover, I love my historical fiction, so details of Judith's struggle in this century only made her story more authentic.
3. Childhood Romance
I know I struggle with love stories - namely, their believability - but childhood romances practically never work for me. I find that authors seem to take it for granted that the duration of time these characters have known each other should equate love. It doesn't, but thankfully Berry doesn't fall into that trap. Very carefully, she builds a contrast between Judith's love for Lucas as a child, and then as an adult. I particularly love how true to age Berry remains, showing us the naivety of a girl's dreams and then the truth of a woman's reality. Now, after her ordeal, Judith returns to see Lucas gearing up to marry the town belle and, as such, her love changes. It remains, constant and true, no matter what, but it also slowly acknowledges that Lucas is not the paragon of perfection that she's built him up to be. One of my favorite aspects of this novel is that Judith's growth and maturity is so closely tied with the romance; that the most important lesson she learns is to fall in love with the truth - of her past, of her deformity, and of love. Just the fact that Judith is able to eventually come to love Lucas despite - and maybe for - his flaws makes their love story all the more realistic and durable. It isn't an easy journey, but it is certainly a rewarding one.
4. Maiming & Disabilities听
I recently - or the lack of it - in YA. And while All the Truth That's In Me doesn't necessarily involve non-white characters, it does feature a protagonist who is maimed. Judith's speechlessness is derived from her own physical barriers, unlike most heroines, which makes this novel fall into 2.9% of novels in 2013 with disabled characters. Normally, this fact would probably remain rather unremarkable. After all, many novels feature secondary character with disabilities and, either way, Judith's inability to speak is an enormous plot device. And yet, Berry truly give this issue so much more depth. Not only does Judith work at regaining her ability to speak fluently, but she feels - constantly - the unfairness of her circumstances.听
"Will I help him make something of his life? Who will help me? Why does everyone presume that I, as damaged merchandise, forfeit any claim to happiness? That I expect nothing, have no ambitions or longings of my own? When was it agreed that my lot would be to gladly serve as a prop and a crutch for others who are whole?" (Berry, 53%)*
Instead of her disability making her the center of attention, Judith is pushed into the very corners of thought, her silence taken for granted as听acquiescence. Essentially, her speechlessness makes her come across as a woman with no thoughts or opinions of her own. I love that Berry touched upon these ideals, only because they weren't ever ones I would have considered and this is precisely why I read: to be introduced to new ways of thinking.
5. A "Pinhole" Plot
I've heard this novel being described as a "pinhole" one, or one in which the entirety of the story is revealed as the book wears on. Well, let me tell you now, these "pinhole" methods never work for me. Never. I have no patience for authors who tantalizingly dangle answers just out of my grasp, so color me surprised to find myself flipping through the pages of this novel gleefully - "pinhole" storytelling and all. What Berry does, that most authors don't, however, is reveal pieces of information in a timely fashion. It is evident, from early in the story, who Judith's kidnapper is. And yet, the full details of her ordeal are never revealed until the end. Instead, small flashbacks litter the narration, working beautifully to weave mystery and thrill into this otherwise seemingly romantic tale. While I remain a fan of the slow, languid prose used in this novel, not to mention the character-driven plot focus, I am sure that not all readers will agree. And yet, I felt as if these purposeful decisions only worked to strengthen the plot, making us care for these characters and drown in seas of emotion. I know that by the end of this book, I was gripping the edge of my chair, unsure whether or not to laugh or cry or scream. And I love that build-up of tension, that slow unraveling of mystery, and the eventual - realistic - conclusion of a well-told tale.
All the Truth That's In Me truly hit all the right notes, at least in my book. Not only did it take a myriad of challenging qualities (see above) and make them work, but it also took the essentials I look for in a good story - characters with depth, thriller plot lines, and emotional undertones - and excelled in those areas as well. While I've never read any of Berry's past novels, you can be sure that I will - eagerly - be checking out her future YA works. After I own this beautiful hardcover on my shelves, that is.
You can read and more on my blog,
July 29, 2016
4.5 Stars
All the Truth That鈥檚 In Me was a stunning, sharply focused story that ticked all the boxes for me! It was filled with feelings of longing, pain, sadness, anger, hope and joy! At the heart of it is an achy romance, and a clever mystery that surprised me when all was revealed!
Judith is one of two girls who went missing two years ago. She came back but the other girl did not. When she walks back to her home there is no warm welcome. Her father died during her absence, and her mother blames her for this! Judith鈥檚 younger brother doesn鈥檛 treat her much better. Judith was maimed making her speech hard to understand. What鈥檚 worse though is her mother鈥檚 reaction. She鈥檚 shocked and horrified by Judith鈥檚 attempts at speaking and she forbids her to talk. Her treatment and reaction to Judith made my heart hurt!
鈥淵ou鈥檝e come back maimed. I leave it to God to judge what brought this upon you.鈥�*
Before Judith was abducted she was hopelessly in love with her childhood friend, Lucas. Nothing changed her feelings for him. But without speaking and with no explanation of her disappearance, Judith fades into the background, and everyone either regards her as the town freak or ignores her entirely. Lucas falls into the latter category. My heart broke for Judith as life goes on with her as a spectator. But everything changes when the town is threatened, and she knows exactly what must be done.
There are several mysteries unfolding in this tale. The identity of Judith鈥檚 abductor is revealed early on, but you鈥檙e not sure why she was taken, and you鈥檙e not sure what happened during her captivity. These mysteries and more are slowly and masterfully revealed throughout the story.
All the Truth That鈥檚 In Me is told in second person narrative, with Judith basically addressing this story to Lucas. It felt like I was reading her letters to him with dialogue and scenes included. I read so much that a change in storytelling is welcome and refreshing, and I loved it!
I admired and rooted for Judith, and was in awe that all she went through didn鈥檛 break her spirit. I was heartened when she started to come out of her shell and take control of her life! Because of the second narrative, interactions with the secondary character like her brother, Maria or Goody are somewhat sparse, but that in no way lessens their impact or appeal.
The romance between Judith and Lucas is one of longing and sadness on her part, at first. As the story continued my heart filled with joy over changes in situation, and as things were revealed.
鈥淚t was always you, Ladybird,鈥� you say softly. 鈥淒on鈥檛 you know?鈥�*
Julie Berry鈥檚 writing was powerful, concise and almost lyrical. Her captivating story is a definite recommend!
Come visit for a chance to win my ARC copy of All the Truth That's In Me.
A copy was provided by Viking Juvenile in exchange for an honest review.
*Quotes taken from an uncorrected proof and may change in the final copy.
All the Truth That鈥檚 In Me was a stunning, sharply focused story that ticked all the boxes for me! It was filled with feelings of longing, pain, sadness, anger, hope and joy! At the heart of it is an achy romance, and a clever mystery that surprised me when all was revealed!
Judith is one of two girls who went missing two years ago. She came back but the other girl did not. When she walks back to her home there is no warm welcome. Her father died during her absence, and her mother blames her for this! Judith鈥檚 younger brother doesn鈥檛 treat her much better. Judith was maimed making her speech hard to understand. What鈥檚 worse though is her mother鈥檚 reaction. She鈥檚 shocked and horrified by Judith鈥檚 attempts at speaking and she forbids her to talk. Her treatment and reaction to Judith made my heart hurt!
鈥淵ou鈥檝e come back maimed. I leave it to God to judge what brought this upon you.鈥�*
Before Judith was abducted she was hopelessly in love with her childhood friend, Lucas. Nothing changed her feelings for him. But without speaking and with no explanation of her disappearance, Judith fades into the background, and everyone either regards her as the town freak or ignores her entirely. Lucas falls into the latter category. My heart broke for Judith as life goes on with her as a spectator. But everything changes when the town is threatened, and she knows exactly what must be done.
There are several mysteries unfolding in this tale. The identity of Judith鈥檚 abductor is revealed early on, but you鈥檙e not sure why she was taken, and you鈥檙e not sure what happened during her captivity. These mysteries and more are slowly and masterfully revealed throughout the story.
All the Truth That鈥檚 In Me is told in second person narrative, with Judith basically addressing this story to Lucas. It felt like I was reading her letters to him with dialogue and scenes included. I read so much that a change in storytelling is welcome and refreshing, and I loved it!
I admired and rooted for Judith, and was in awe that all she went through didn鈥檛 break her spirit. I was heartened when she started to come out of her shell and take control of her life! Because of the second narrative, interactions with the secondary character like her brother, Maria or Goody are somewhat sparse, but that in no way lessens their impact or appeal.
The romance between Judith and Lucas is one of longing and sadness on her part, at first. As the story continued my heart filled with joy over changes in situation, and as things were revealed.
鈥淚t was always you, Ladybird,鈥� you say softly. 鈥淒on鈥檛 you know?鈥�*
Julie Berry鈥檚 writing was powerful, concise and almost lyrical. Her captivating story is a definite recommend!
Come visit for a chance to win my ARC copy of All the Truth That's In Me.
A copy was provided by Viking Juvenile in exchange for an honest review.
*Quotes taken from an uncorrected proof and may change in the final copy.
October 14, 2013
Okay, wow.
I mean . . . wow.
Just . . . just read it, okay? I'm not going to tell you anything. I don't want to ruin anything. I just want you to read this book. Do you like historical fiction? Read this book. Do you like mysteries? Read this book. Do you like romance? Read this book. Do you like The Witch of Blackbird Pond? Read this book. Do you like reading books that are really, really, really good and will keep you up all night reading because you have to know how it ends because you care about the characters so much?
JUST READ THE DARN BOOK.
I mean . . . wow.
Just . . . just read it, okay? I'm not going to tell you anything. I don't want to ruin anything. I just want you to read this book. Do you like historical fiction? Read this book. Do you like mysteries? Read this book. Do you like romance? Read this book. Do you like The Witch of Blackbird Pond? Read this book. Do you like reading books that are really, really, really good and will keep you up all night reading because you have to know how it ends because you care about the characters so much?
JUST READ THE DARN BOOK.
January 11, 2016
Rating, 5 angsty stars
Emotional, passionate, heart-wrenching, lyric , melodious .... it pulled all the right strings.
Judith Finch has been abducted when she was just fourteen, following the disappearance of another village girl.
When she finally returns home mutilated and unable to speak, four years had passed. Her loving father died during her absence and her mother's heart has hardened towards her.
鈥淭he warmth I remember in her eyes is gone, replaced with iron. Father is long since dead, and the daughter she remembers is dead to her. She buries the name with the memory.
No one calls me by my name.
Younger children do not know it.
I remind myself each day at sunrise, lest one day I forget. Judith is my name.鈥�
She's deemed impure now. She's shunned or at best ignored by the community. What spares her the faith that awaits adulterous or loose women is the fact that despite her inability to speak, when confronted by the Village Council she is adamant that her captor didn't touched her in "that way". She's returned home ... but life is still a struggle despite her regained freedom. She doesn't remember much of the years in captivity ... and that much that she remembers, she tries desperately to suppress. Some secrets could hurt more than her.
鈥淛ip鈥檚 whole body wags to see me, and when Mother isn鈥檛 watching, I break off a corner of a brick of cheese and slip it to him. He licks my hand lovingly with his long, pink tongue.
I鈥檓 jealous of a dog.
He has a warm tongue, and he lives with you.鈥�
This book was so beautifully written. Considering my likes and dislikes this one could have been a disaster if written differently. I usually snort at love at fist sight, especially that love-from-the-cradle scenario. Judith acts almost stalker-ish towards Lucas Whiting, her one true love. I usually cringe at such conduct. Yet somehow .... this time I didn't mind at all.
There were a few roll-eye moments where I thought ..."Come on girl, stop pining after him, he's to marry another girl. Wake up and move on!", but then ...
Through the story we see Judith grow stronger, change, learn, try to open herself to other people (she too distanced herself from others). Judith dreamed the impossible dream of being loved by her childhood love ... and I was surprisingly and ungrudgingly on board.
One of the best YA books I've read last year ... and it was a very good year, even for YA.
Emotional, passionate, heart-wrenching, lyric , melodious .... it pulled all the right strings.
Judith Finch has been abducted when she was just fourteen, following the disappearance of another village girl.
鈥淚 saw life choked out, squeezed out of my young friend. Saw the lights in her eyes extinguished by a pair of hands, hands so filthy they soiled the triangle lace of her dress collar.
Whose hands they were, I couldn鈥檛 see.
I watched her lose her breath forever while I sat in the willow tree holding mine, lest he find me, too, and his hands press into my soft neck like dirty boots into new-fallen snow."
When she finally returns home mutilated and unable to speak, four years had passed. Her loving father died during her absence and her mother's heart has hardened towards her.
鈥淭he warmth I remember in her eyes is gone, replaced with iron. Father is long since dead, and the daughter she remembers is dead to her. She buries the name with the memory.
No one calls me by my name.
Younger children do not know it.
I remind myself each day at sunrise, lest one day I forget. Judith is my name.鈥�
She's deemed impure now. She's shunned or at best ignored by the community. What spares her the faith that awaits adulterous or loose women is the fact that despite her inability to speak, when confronted by the Village Council she is adamant that her captor didn't touched her in "that way". She's returned home ... but life is still a struggle despite her regained freedom. She doesn't remember much of the years in captivity ... and that much that she remembers, she tries desperately to suppress. Some secrets could hurt more than her.
鈥淛ip鈥檚 whole body wags to see me, and when Mother isn鈥檛 watching, I break off a corner of a brick of cheese and slip it to him. He licks my hand lovingly with his long, pink tongue.
I鈥檓 jealous of a dog.
He has a warm tongue, and he lives with you.鈥�
This book was so beautifully written. Considering my likes and dislikes this one could have been a disaster if written differently. I usually snort at love at fist sight, especially that love-from-the-cradle scenario. Judith acts almost stalker-ish towards Lucas Whiting, her one true love. I usually cringe at such conduct. Yet somehow .... this time I didn't mind at all.
There were a few roll-eye moments where I thought ..."Come on girl, stop pining after him, he's to marry another girl. Wake up and move on!", but then ...
Through the story we see Judith grow stronger, change, learn, try to open herself to other people (she too distanced herself from others). Judith dreamed the impossible dream of being loved by her childhood love ... and I was surprisingly and ungrudgingly on board.
One of the best YA books I've read last year ... and it was a very good year, even for YA.
September 11, 2013
I did not request this book, I didn鈥檛 even know it existed until a publicist in Australia sent it to me. 鈥淩ead this or I will punch your ovaries in their still-beating hearts until they cry and explode.鈥� Okay, maybe she didn鈥檛 use those exact words, but I like to imagine she was secretly thinking it.
I鈥檓 kind of glad she did mind-threaten me though because this book was fabulous with a capitol FAB!
All the Truth That鈥檚 in Me follows the events of a small pilgrim-like town. Judith is the town pariah. She and her best friend disappeared two years ago. Judith returned home after an extended period of disappearance, her best friend did not. The town wants to know what happened to Judith, but she can鈥檛 tell them. Her tongue was cut out and she鈥檚 mute. The boy she was in love with, who seemed to care for her in return, is out of her reach.
Do you ever feel like the world is once again descending into an Atwood dystopia where women are judged on purity, looks and moralities that are valuable to men? Did you ever wonder what that would be like to live in? Thankfully, you don鈥檛 need to, because Judith lives in it. She loses any and all status in her town when she returns 鈥渟poiled鈥� and suspicion lingers of her morality, derived from a situation where she was held prisoner at the hands of a madman.
But that rejection by her own family and society is also kind of freeing for Judith. She鈥檚 semi-invisible, untouchable, and also kind of free to be human 鈥� to be herself. She鈥檚 cut-loose to be this free-spirited, sexual being who longs for all the things she can鈥檛 have and, in a way, experience a better version of herself. Her situation allows her to see past the pitfalls and trappings of her grossly imperfect society, so that she can fight for her own value and worth.
The romance with Lucas is charming, lovely and heart-wrenching all at the same time. This novel manages to pack an emotional punch as well as remaining consistently noteworthy in its plotting, pacing and writing. I鈥檒l be looking forward to future novels by Berry.
Also, just鈥�
This review, and others like it, also appear on my blog, .
This ARC was provided to me by the publisher for reviewing purposes. This did not entice me to be any less annoyingly opinionated than I would otherwise be.
I鈥檓 kind of glad she did mind-threaten me though because this book was fabulous with a capitol FAB!
All the Truth That鈥檚 in Me follows the events of a small pilgrim-like town. Judith is the town pariah. She and her best friend disappeared two years ago. Judith returned home after an extended period of disappearance, her best friend did not. The town wants to know what happened to Judith, but she can鈥檛 tell them. Her tongue was cut out and she鈥檚 mute. The boy she was in love with, who seemed to care for her in return, is out of her reach.
Do you ever feel like the world is once again descending into an Atwood dystopia where women are judged on purity, looks and moralities that are valuable to men? Did you ever wonder what that would be like to live in? Thankfully, you don鈥檛 need to, because Judith lives in it. She loses any and all status in her town when she returns 鈥渟poiled鈥� and suspicion lingers of her morality, derived from a situation where she was held prisoner at the hands of a madman.
But that rejection by her own family and society is also kind of freeing for Judith. She鈥檚 semi-invisible, untouchable, and also kind of free to be human 鈥� to be herself. She鈥檚 cut-loose to be this free-spirited, sexual being who longs for all the things she can鈥檛 have and, in a way, experience a better version of herself. Her situation allows her to see past the pitfalls and trappings of her grossly imperfect society, so that she can fight for her own value and worth.
The romance with Lucas is charming, lovely and heart-wrenching all at the same time. This novel manages to pack an emotional punch as well as remaining consistently noteworthy in its plotting, pacing and writing. I鈥檒l be looking forward to future novels by Berry.
Also, just鈥�
This review, and others like it, also appear on my blog, .
This ARC was provided to me by the publisher for reviewing purposes. This did not entice me to be any less annoyingly opinionated than I would otherwise be.
September 17, 2013
See more reviews at
4.5 stars
Thank you HarperCollins Australia for sending me this copy. No compensation was given or taken to alter this review.
I remember, when I was younger, I would imagine what it would be like to be completely mute. The idea didn't seem awfully outrageous. Back then, I was quiet, shy. Anathematized talking. However now, the thought horrifies me. Not only would not having a tongue would mean no ice-cream, but also because I am a crazy chatter-box. If I was mutilated, the world be a reticent, monotonous place.
All The Truth That's In Me, to be labelled as different, would be one of the world's greatest understatements. Which probably also contributes to why I loved it so dearly. The narrative point is from Judith, written to her childhood best friend, Lucas- meaning that it was basically told in 2nd person. I have only read one other book in 2nd person which is which left disastrous effects as it made all the supporting characters without persona and well, character. Even though All The Truth That's In Me does not capture the full charisma of every single character, it was far better than . All The Truth That's In Me has a contrast of sub-genres mixed together as one; mystery, thriller, romance and historical.
Two friends- girls disappeared that year, only one came back. With half a tongue. Without the ability to talk, Judith comes back. All the people that cared about her don't seem to anymore. As stakes rise, the need for truth is more urgent, but if only Judith could speak... Judith's voice has to be one of the strongest I've ever come across. It's rattling and alarming, and so raw. Julie Berry's writing makes it easy to empathise for Judith and her situation. In some ways, it reminded me of , as the writing and atmosphere was so tangible and skin-crawling.
The supporting characters ranged quite contrastingly. I found it hard to connect with Lucas, as Judith is referring to him as 'you'. Nonetheless, his character became more defined as the story developed, and in the end, I can say I adored him. Judith's mother is one to despise. Her hostility to her own child astounded me and made me furious. But also created an interesting movement which played nicely with the plot and highlighted Judith's character. Other characters like Judith's brother and Maria felt extremely authentic- not a single person is wasted here.
Pacing of All The Truth That's In Me was a minor problem. I found it thoroughly entrapping but I despite the small size, the pace dragged a tad. I suspect some readers may find this a major issue unlike me. Or, it could be the lack of plot- though I highly doubt it, the plot was delightfully intricate and page-turn-worthy.
Creepy, poetic-like and pure genius, All The Truth That's In Me is something superiorly unique and worth reading. The 2nd person narrative and pace threw me off a bit yet other than that, I loved this. And for some extra entertainment, try tawhking wike you havf no thongue.
4.5 stars
Thank you HarperCollins Australia for sending me this copy. No compensation was given or taken to alter this review.
I run away, fleeing down the street, so my tears can fall in privacy.
I remember, when I was younger, I would imagine what it would be like to be completely mute. The idea didn't seem awfully outrageous. Back then, I was quiet, shy. Anathematized talking. However now, the thought horrifies me. Not only would not having a tongue would mean no ice-cream, but also because I am a crazy chatter-box. If I was mutilated, the world be a reticent, monotonous place.
All The Truth That's In Me, to be labelled as different, would be one of the world's greatest understatements. Which probably also contributes to why I loved it so dearly. The narrative point is from Judith, written to her childhood best friend, Lucas- meaning that it was basically told in 2nd person. I have only read one other book in 2nd person which is which left disastrous effects as it made all the supporting characters without persona and well, character. Even though All The Truth That's In Me does not capture the full charisma of every single character, it was far better than . All The Truth That's In Me has a contrast of sub-genres mixed together as one; mystery, thriller, romance and historical.
Two friends- girls disappeared that year, only one came back. With half a tongue. Without the ability to talk, Judith comes back. All the people that cared about her don't seem to anymore. As stakes rise, the need for truth is more urgent, but if only Judith could speak... Judith's voice has to be one of the strongest I've ever come across. It's rattling and alarming, and so raw. Julie Berry's writing makes it easy to empathise for Judith and her situation. In some ways, it reminded me of , as the writing and atmosphere was so tangible and skin-crawling.
The supporting characters ranged quite contrastingly. I found it hard to connect with Lucas, as Judith is referring to him as 'you'. Nonetheless, his character became more defined as the story developed, and in the end, I can say I adored him. Judith's mother is one to despise. Her hostility to her own child astounded me and made me furious. But also created an interesting movement which played nicely with the plot and highlighted Judith's character. Other characters like Judith's brother and Maria felt extremely authentic- not a single person is wasted here.
Pacing of All The Truth That's In Me was a minor problem. I found it thoroughly entrapping but I despite the small size, the pace dragged a tad. I suspect some readers may find this a major issue unlike me. Or, it could be the lack of plot- though I highly doubt it, the plot was delightfully intricate and page-turn-worthy.
Creepy, poetic-like and pure genius, All The Truth That's In Me is something superiorly unique and worth reading. The 2nd person narrative and pace threw me off a bit yet other than that, I loved this. And for some extra entertainment, try tawhking wike you havf no thongue.
April 1, 2015
4/5
No sab铆a que esperar de este libro y ha sido toda una sorpresa. La narraci贸n incre铆ble, hace que la novela sea mucho m谩s intensa, y adem谩s est谩 narrado en segunda persona, lo que hace que sea muy llamativo. A煤n as铆, la historia est谩 perfectamente construida y aunque al principio pueda resultar confusa (se mezclan continuamente fragmentos del pasado y del presente), se va desarrollando con soltura, a la vez que mantiene el misterio y la intriga hasta el final.
Definitivamente, ha sido una lectura m谩s que buena y lo mejor de todo: sorprendente.
No sab铆a que esperar de este libro y ha sido toda una sorpresa. La narraci贸n incre铆ble, hace que la novela sea mucho m谩s intensa, y adem谩s est谩 narrado en segunda persona, lo que hace que sea muy llamativo. A煤n as铆, la historia est谩 perfectamente construida y aunque al principio pueda resultar confusa (se mezclan continuamente fragmentos del pasado y del presente), se va desarrollando con soltura, a la vez que mantiene el misterio y la intriga hasta el final.
Definitivamente, ha sido una lectura m谩s que buena y lo mejor de todo: sorprendente.
June 9, 2013
If you don't have a voice, can anyone hear you? Or do you not have a voice because no one WANTS to hear you?
That's the question at the heart of Berry's swift-paced mystery novel, set in a somewhat Puritanical/cult-like society that's recognizable as historical but never spelled out as to where or when. When Judith returns to her home after two years of being missing, she comes back without a tongue. It's a literal tongue removal, as well as a metaphorical one. She can't speak, and no one wants to hear her anyway. Because in her world, whatever happened couldn't have been good. She must no longer be pure. And because she is a female, because she is young and unmarried and she's been gone for some period of time, she must have been engaged in salacious activities. Her mother degrades her, and her entire society shuns her. She's useless to them except in the form of sexual enjoyment -- at a price.
Except
At heart, this is a love letter Judith writes to the boy she's been head-over-heels for since she was young, Lucas. It's a story about what she did for him, and how much she loves him and wants nothing more than to be with him. It's a story about why she is not allowed to be with him.
It's a story about what happened to Lucas's father. Before. During. And after.
I found the romantic storyline to be the least interesting, actually, and that's why the first half of the book dragged for me. In many ways it felt derivative -- a girl who was missing comes back. Some of the snatches of her memory look like they're hinting at Stockholm Syndrome. But when the story shifts, when it becomes about JUDITH FINDING HER VOICE, rather than finding her love, it becomes much more interesting.
But it also becomes a little frustrating. This Puritanical setting felt almost too easy. It was almost too easy for her to be voiceless in a society like that, especially as her entire story could so easily be today's world. And while I don't like to review with an eye about why certain choices were or weren't made about big story elements like setting, to me, it felt like a safety net to the bigger, more critical ideas in the novel itself. Add to that the fact there was a little bit of writing indulgence here stylistically -- the before, during, and now, the numbered stanzas, the short and clipped passages, the fact there are multiple "parts" within the parts of the book -- I felt the real pow of the book was diminished a bit. It's not gone. But it's not quite as powerful as it could have been.
The editor describes this as a "pinhole narrative," wherein you learn the story bit by bit. It's a nice way to describe it. I also think it's pretty much how a mystery novel works. And this is a mystery -- who killed Lottie? Why and how was Judith caught up in this?
Why was it no one wanted to ask Judith what she knew? Why was it she didn't get the chance to say her piece before she was automatically condemned? There is a lot of juicy stuff here about the ways we do and do not respect teen girls. I just wish the over styling and somewhat confusing setting didn't weigh down the real knockout threads here.
Think of this as Speak (no voice) meets The Scarlet Letter (the shunned girl) meets If You Find Me (the girl comes back from being secluded in the woods) meets The Chosen One (girl seeks education in a world that doesn't want her to, plus the cultish setting) meets Stolen (if Stolen didn't weave the Stockholm Syndrome in it).
It doesn't surprise me the publisher's billing this as one of their award books. It's going to merit some discussion. It'll be interesting to see what happens and I'm definitely curious what people might pull from the setting and style.
That's the question at the heart of Berry's swift-paced mystery novel, set in a somewhat Puritanical/cult-like society that's recognizable as historical but never spelled out as to where or when. When Judith returns to her home after two years of being missing, she comes back without a tongue. It's a literal tongue removal, as well as a metaphorical one. She can't speak, and no one wants to hear her anyway. Because in her world, whatever happened couldn't have been good. She must no longer be pure. And because she is a female, because she is young and unmarried and she's been gone for some period of time, she must have been engaged in salacious activities. Her mother degrades her, and her entire society shuns her. She's useless to them except in the form of sexual enjoyment -- at a price.
Except
At heart, this is a love letter Judith writes to the boy she's been head-over-heels for since she was young, Lucas. It's a story about what she did for him, and how much she loves him and wants nothing more than to be with him. It's a story about why she is not allowed to be with him.
It's a story about what happened to Lucas's father. Before. During. And after.
I found the romantic storyline to be the least interesting, actually, and that's why the first half of the book dragged for me. In many ways it felt derivative -- a girl who was missing comes back. Some of the snatches of her memory look like they're hinting at Stockholm Syndrome. But when the story shifts, when it becomes about JUDITH FINDING HER VOICE, rather than finding her love, it becomes much more interesting.
But it also becomes a little frustrating. This Puritanical setting felt almost too easy. It was almost too easy for her to be voiceless in a society like that, especially as her entire story could so easily be today's world. And while I don't like to review with an eye about why certain choices were or weren't made about big story elements like setting, to me, it felt like a safety net to the bigger, more critical ideas in the novel itself. Add to that the fact there was a little bit of writing indulgence here stylistically -- the before, during, and now, the numbered stanzas, the short and clipped passages, the fact there are multiple "parts" within the parts of the book -- I felt the real pow of the book was diminished a bit. It's not gone. But it's not quite as powerful as it could have been.
The editor describes this as a "pinhole narrative," wherein you learn the story bit by bit. It's a nice way to describe it. I also think it's pretty much how a mystery novel works. And this is a mystery -- who killed Lottie? Why and how was Judith caught up in this?
Why was it no one wanted to ask Judith what she knew? Why was it she didn't get the chance to say her piece before she was automatically condemned? There is a lot of juicy stuff here about the ways we do and do not respect teen girls. I just wish the over styling and somewhat confusing setting didn't weigh down the real knockout threads here.
Think of this as Speak (no voice) meets The Scarlet Letter (the shunned girl) meets If You Find Me (the girl comes back from being secluded in the woods) meets The Chosen One (girl seeks education in a world that doesn't want her to, plus the cultish setting) meets Stolen (if Stolen didn't weave the Stockholm Syndrome in it).
It doesn't surprise me the publisher's billing this as one of their award books. It's going to merit some discussion. It'll be interesting to see what happens and I'm definitely curious what people might pull from the setting and style.
February 16, 2014
I didn't really know what to expect from Julie Berry's debut. the blurb is a little bit elusive (in fact, I got the impression 'aliens?' -- close encounters, etc, haha). I may not even have picked this one up if the lovely publicist hadn't sent me a copy. Which would have been nearly criminal as this book soared to the top of my favourite reads this year.
It's written in 2nd person POV -- which has a mildly intoxicating, lilting vibe to it. The prose is gorgeous. At first, everything felt a little off kilter. I liken it a fraction to the experience of reading Jellicoe Rd: 'what's going on here?' tangled up with 'oh! I am really liking this beautiful prose and intriguing opening'. I was captured from the beginning and as the story wove around me I became deeper invested and more impressed. Until I pretty much just fell in love with everything about this book.
It was the first book in a long time that gave me those delicious physical pangs in the gut ~ pangs of anxiety and hope and ache and just the right amount of swoon. There's heartache and sorrow and mystery and so many unexpected events. The characters felt so real and brave and lonely and they squirrelled their way deep in my heart.
The story itself is not about aliens. or anything supernatural and freaky. It is set in an unspecified era that feels primitive-ish colonial America ~ small town/settlement vibe.
It shifts between past and present, both timelines equally engaging.
Judith is amazing. The love story is genuine. The swoons are not cheaply won -- and when they come they are all the more powerful for it :)
Everything is unpredictable. Things are genuinely freaky in parts - dark and yet somehow there's always hope. Sorrowful yet a promise of something good waiting somewhere on the horizon.
I really truly cannot commend this book enough. It is definitely one to be experienced first hand -- and then shared with friends. I can't wait to revisit it already. Julie Berry is an amazing new talent that I think every YA lover should be checking out.
Forgive me if my review is a chaotic rambling of thoughts. And definitely find yourself a copy of this book to try -- even if you're dubious like I was. And when you do -- may you love it just as much as I do x Nomes
I gave this 5 stars! I have only given SIX books 5 stars this year (out of 99 books read...)
This is the Aussie cover:
Coming from October 1.
It's written in 2nd person POV -- which has a mildly intoxicating, lilting vibe to it. The prose is gorgeous. At first, everything felt a little off kilter. I liken it a fraction to the experience of reading Jellicoe Rd: 'what's going on here?' tangled up with 'oh! I am really liking this beautiful prose and intriguing opening'. I was captured from the beginning and as the story wove around me I became deeper invested and more impressed. Until I pretty much just fell in love with everything about this book.
It was the first book in a long time that gave me those delicious physical pangs in the gut ~ pangs of anxiety and hope and ache and just the right amount of swoon. There's heartache and sorrow and mystery and so many unexpected events. The characters felt so real and brave and lonely and they squirrelled their way deep in my heart.
The story itself is not about aliens. or anything supernatural and freaky. It is set in an unspecified era that feels primitive-ish colonial America ~ small town/settlement vibe.
It shifts between past and present, both timelines equally engaging.
Judith is amazing. The love story is genuine. The swoons are not cheaply won -- and when they come they are all the more powerful for it :)
Everything is unpredictable. Things are genuinely freaky in parts - dark and yet somehow there's always hope. Sorrowful yet a promise of something good waiting somewhere on the horizon.
I really truly cannot commend this book enough. It is definitely one to be experienced first hand -- and then shared with friends. I can't wait to revisit it already. Julie Berry is an amazing new talent that I think every YA lover should be checking out.
Forgive me if my review is a chaotic rambling of thoughts. And definitely find yourself a copy of this book to try -- even if you're dubious like I was. And when you do -- may you love it just as much as I do x Nomes
I gave this 5 stars! I have only given SIX books 5 stars this year (out of 99 books read...)
This is the Aussie cover:
Coming from October 1.
February 23, 2020
Four and a half stars.
This story carries huge echoes of the Elizabeth Smart abduction in 2002-2003, and I doubt it's coincidence that Julie Berry is also a Mormon. However, the story has been transported from the modern world to Puritan times, with their rigid focus on propriety and feminine "purity."
The first third of this book is absolutely amazing. Judith describes her current life, the time she spent with her abductor, and her witnessing of the murder of a friend in a swirling stream-of-consciousness mix that is eerily beautiful and utterly gripping. I was completely absorbed into this portion of the story -- it's evocative, emotional, and vivid.
The rest of the book then becomes more linear and more of a love story, so that opening punch is lost a bit -- but it remains deeply felt and intense as Judith shows the abrasiveness of her daily life as people feel free to talk in front of her as if she is stupid as well as mute, and their assumptions about her sexual status and perceived availability to men. The abrasiveness is softened by the kindness shown towards Judith by another young woman who wishes to be friends, by Judith's brother, and by Lucas.
I don't want to say too much else for fear of spoilers.
This is a highly unusual, powerful, and heartfelt novel that shows the worst -- and the best -- of human nature. Very strongly recommended.
Judith disappeared from her home for two years, held captive by a hermit. Then she was allowed to return ... with half her tongue cut out. She is shunned by the townsfolk, and even her mother won't let her speak. She can only think, addressing her thoughts to Lucas, the boy she has loved since she was a baby. But one day the town is attacked. Judith is forced to literally revisit her past, setting off a chain of events which leads to secrets revealed -- and a voice regained.I was very curious about this book, as Julie Berry's previous two books were more middle-grade-level high fantasies. This is a huge departure from those, from what I can tell -- much more mature and much darker.
This story carries huge echoes of the Elizabeth Smart abduction in 2002-2003, and I doubt it's coincidence that Julie Berry is also a Mormon. However, the story has been transported from the modern world to Puritan times, with their rigid focus on propriety and feminine "purity."
The first third of this book is absolutely amazing. Judith describes her current life, the time she spent with her abductor, and her witnessing of the murder of a friend in a swirling stream-of-consciousness mix that is eerily beautiful and utterly gripping. I was completely absorbed into this portion of the story -- it's evocative, emotional, and vivid.
The rest of the book then becomes more linear and more of a love story, so that opening punch is lost a bit -- but it remains deeply felt and intense as Judith shows the abrasiveness of her daily life as people feel free to talk in front of her as if she is stupid as well as mute, and their assumptions about her sexual status and perceived availability to men. The abrasiveness is softened by the kindness shown towards Judith by another young woman who wishes to be friends, by Judith's brother, and by Lucas.
I don't want to say too much else for fear of spoilers.
This is a highly unusual, powerful, and heartfelt novel that shows the worst -- and the best -- of human nature. Very strongly recommended.
November 11, 2013
SO overwrought! And of course, . is much better.
August 6, 2015
Hala okumayan var m谋? Ay谋p ay谋p
September 7, 2016
Basit ama g眉zeldi ayr谋ca kusa b枚l眉mleri sayesinde okumas谋 kolayd谋.
January 3, 2025
锌械褉褕邪 锌褉芯褔懈褌邪薪邪 泻薪懈谐邪 胁 褑褜芯屑褍 褉芯褑褨, 褟泻褍 褟 锌褉芯褔懈褌邪谢邪 蟹邪 写械薪褜 馃憖
胁蟹邪谐邪谢褨 薪械 锌谢邪薪褍胁邪谢邪 褩褩 斜褉邪褌懈 薪邪泄斜谢懈卸褔懈屑 褔邪褋芯屑, 邪谢械 褔械谢械薪写卸 胁褨写 袪芯褉泻邪 褌邪 袪袦 胁薪褨褋 褋胁芯褩 泻芯褉械泻褌懈胁懈 馃馃徎
写褍卸械 褖械屑泻邪 褌邪 胁邪卸泻邪 褨褋褌芯褉褨褟
胁 薪邪褋 褌褍褌 薪褨屑邪 写褨胁褔懈薪邪, 褟泻邪 锌芯胁械褉褌邪褦褌褜褋褟 写芯写芯屑褍 锌褨褋谢褟 写胁芯褏 褉芯泻褨胁 蟹薪懈泻薪械薪薪褟
锌芯褋褌褍锌芯胁芯 褋褌邪褦 蟹褉芯蟹褍屑褨谢芯 褏褌芯 褩褩 锌芯薪械胁芯谢懈胁, 邪谢械 芯褋薪芯胁薪邪 褨薪褌褉懈谐邪 - 褏褌芯 胁斜懈胁 褩褩 锌芯写褉褍谐褍 褌邪 褔懈 斜褍胁 褑械 胁懈泻褉邪写邪褔 写褨胁褔懈薪懈 - 褉芯蟹泻褉懈胁邪褦褌褜褋褟 斜褍泻胁邪谢褜薪芯 薪邪 芯褋褌邪薪薪褨褏 20 褋褌芯褉褨薪泻邪褏 褨 褑械 褌邪泻懈泄 斜褍屑 馃挜
锌褉褟屑 蟹邪锌邪谢芯 屑械薪褨 胁 写褍褕褍
褨 褟 写芯 芯褋褌邪薪薪褜芯谐芯 褔芯谐芯褋褜 写褍屑邪谢邪, 褖芯 泻褨薪褑褨胁泻邪 褌褍褌 斜褍写械 褌褉邪谐褨褔薪邪, 斜芯 邪胁褌芯褉泻邪 褌邪泻 薪芯褉屑邪谢褜薪芯 写谢褟 褑褜芯谐芯 胁褋械 锌褨写谐芯褌褍胁邪谢邪, 邪谢械械械 馃ス
+ 胁 薪邪褋 褌褍褌 薪械薪邪写褨泄薪邪 芯锌芯胁褨写邪褔泻邪 褨 褋锌芯褔邪褌泻褍 褟 褌褉芯褏懈 蟹胁懈泻邪谢邪 写芯 褋褌懈谢褞 邪胁褌芯褉泻懈, 邪谢械 褑械 薪械 蟹邪胁邪写懈谢芯 屑械薪褨 褋锌芯胁薪邪 薪邪褋芯谢芯写懈褌懈褋褜 褨褋褌芯褉褨褦褞
写褍卸械, 写褍卸械 褏芯褉芯褕邪 泻薪懈谐邪
8,5/10
胁蟹邪谐邪谢褨 薪械 锌谢邪薪褍胁邪谢邪 褩褩 斜褉邪褌懈 薪邪泄斜谢懈卸褔懈屑 褔邪褋芯屑, 邪谢械 褔械谢械薪写卸 胁褨写 袪芯褉泻邪 褌邪 袪袦 胁薪褨褋 褋胁芯褩 泻芯褉械泻褌懈胁懈 馃馃徎
写褍卸械 褖械屑泻邪 褌邪 胁邪卸泻邪 褨褋褌芯褉褨褟
胁 薪邪褋 褌褍褌 薪褨屑邪 写褨胁褔懈薪邪, 褟泻邪 锌芯胁械褉褌邪褦褌褜褋褟 写芯写芯屑褍 锌褨褋谢褟 写胁芯褏 褉芯泻褨胁 蟹薪懈泻薪械薪薪褟
锌芯褋褌褍锌芯胁芯 褋褌邪褦 蟹褉芯蟹褍屑褨谢芯 褏褌芯 褩褩 锌芯薪械胁芯谢懈胁, 邪谢械 芯褋薪芯胁薪邪 褨薪褌褉懈谐邪 - 褏褌芯 胁斜懈胁 褩褩 锌芯写褉褍谐褍 褌邪 褔懈 斜褍胁 褑械 胁懈泻褉邪写邪褔 写褨胁褔懈薪懈 - 褉芯蟹泻褉懈胁邪褦褌褜褋褟 斜褍泻胁邪谢褜薪芯 薪邪 芯褋褌邪薪薪褨褏 20 褋褌芯褉褨薪泻邪褏 褨 褑械 褌邪泻懈泄 斜褍屑 馃挜
锌褉褟屑 蟹邪锌邪谢芯 屑械薪褨 胁 写褍褕褍
褨 褟 写芯 芯褋褌邪薪薪褜芯谐芯 褔芯谐芯褋褜 写褍屑邪谢邪, 褖芯 泻褨薪褑褨胁泻邪 褌褍褌 斜褍写械 褌褉邪谐褨褔薪邪, 斜芯 邪胁褌芯褉泻邪 褌邪泻 薪芯褉屑邪谢褜薪芯 写谢褟 褑褜芯谐芯 胁褋械 锌褨写谐芯褌褍胁邪谢邪, 邪谢械械械 馃ス
+ 胁 薪邪褋 褌褍褌 薪械薪邪写褨泄薪邪 芯锌芯胁褨写邪褔泻邪 褨 褋锌芯褔邪褌泻褍 褟 褌褉芯褏懈 蟹胁懈泻邪谢邪 写芯 褋褌懈谢褞 邪胁褌芯褉泻懈, 邪谢械 褑械 薪械 蟹邪胁邪写懈谢芯 屑械薪褨 褋锌芯胁薪邪 薪邪褋芯谢芯写懈褌懈褋褜 褨褋褌芯褉褨褦褞
写褍卸械, 写褍卸械 褏芯褉芯褕邪 泻薪懈谐邪
8,5/10
October 7, 2013
Strange, original, compelling and intense, I found this book, said to YA, very addicting. Second person narrative, shortish comments and thoughts and yet wonderful. The book does actually name a time period, 听but it has the tone of The Scarlet Letter, also women called Goody and the stocks for punishment, so this novel is set in the very judgmental Puritan times.
Judith is a wonderful character, a strong young woman with an unquenchable spirit. While reading this I often thought I knew what was going on, but I was only partly right, there were still surprises to be found. An interesting story, told about a very hypocritical time, a time that did not favor women or for that matter anyone that was different. Judith is different but not because of her own actions but because of what she has suffered.
There was a bit of melodrama to the ending, but due to the target audience of this book it was very fitting. All is answered and all is explained. Sometimes having a voice is a very important asset and I loved how this author used hers in writing this novel.
Judith is a wonderful character, a strong young woman with an unquenchable spirit. While reading this I often thought I knew what was going on, but I was only partly right, there were still surprises to be found. An interesting story, told about a very hypocritical time, a time that did not favor women or for that matter anyone that was different. Judith is different but not because of her own actions but because of what she has suffered.
There was a bit of melodrama to the ending, but due to the target audience of this book it was very fitting. All is answered and all is explained. Sometimes having a voice is a very important asset and I loved how this author used hers in writing this novel.
April 18, 2018
馃摎鈥漁kula d枚nmek istiyorum Judy. Bu benim tek 艧ans谋m. Gitmeme yard谋m edecek misin?鈥�
D枚rt bir taraftan esen r眉zg芒rda savrulan kar taneleri misali d眉艧眉ncelerim de d枚ne d枚ne yerlere sa莽谋l谋yor. Onun hayat谋n谋 kurabilmesine yard谋m edecek miyim? Bana kim yard谋m edecek? Neden herkes defolu bir mal diye g枚rd眉kleri benim mutlulu臒umu benden 莽almaya c眉ret ediyor? Neden benim hi莽bir beklentim olmad谋臒谋n谋, kendime ait emellerim ya da 枚zlemlerim olmad谋臒谋n谋 varsay谋yorlar? Hem ne zaman karar verildi hayatta benim pay谋ma d眉艧enin sa臒lam kimselere destek ve koltuk 莽谋kmak olaca臒谋na?
Darrel鈥櫮眓 iki saniye olsun bana ve isteklerime kafa yordu臒una inan谋rsam, k枚y眉n dedi臒i gibi aptal谋n tekiyim demektir.
馃摎Evleneceksin demek.
Mezardan 莽谋km谋艧莽as谋na onun yan谋ndan hayata, do臒an yeni g眉ne d枚neli iki y谋l ge莽ti, buna sevinirim san谋yordum. Oysa gece ve so臒uk, karanl谋k ve 枚l眉ler 艧imdi bana daha yak谋n.
Karanl谋臒谋m谋 bir tek seni d眉艧眉nmek gideriyor. Benim d眉nyam谋n g眉ne艧isin, seni ba艧ka kad谋n谋n kollar谋nda g枚rmeye nas谋l dayanabilirim?
Kitaba tamamen beklentisiz ba艧lam谋艧t谋m ama hem konusuyla hem ilerleyi艧iyle beni 莽ok 艧a艧谋rtt谋. Kitap, Judith鈥檌n ka莽谋r谋lmas谋ndan ve dili kesilerek evine g枚nderilmesinden sonraki olaylar谋 anlatan, tam olarak zaman belirtilmesede, tahminen 16.-17. y眉zy谋lda k眉莽眉k bir k枚yde ge莽en bir historicald谋 asl谋nda. En ilgi 莽ekici yanlar谋ndan birisi ise, Judith鈥檌n ya艧ad谋klar谋n谋 sevdi臒i 莽ocuk Lucas鈥檃 anlatmas谋yd谋. Sanki ona yazd谋臒谋 uzun bir mektup gibiydi.
陌lk 50 sayfas谋n谋 okurken 莽ok zorland谋m 莽眉nk眉 yazar谋n tarz谋 莽ok farkl谋yd谋, al谋艧ana kadar devrelerimi yakt谋. Ba艧ta zorlay谋c谋, rahats谋z ediciydi ama al谋艧t谋ktan sonra ilgi 莽ekici hale geldi. Zaman ve anlat谋m kural谋 yoktu, bir b枚l眉mde ka莽谋r谋lman谋n 枚ncesi anlat谋l谋rken bir sonraki b枚l眉m ka莽谋r谋lma sonras谋yd谋. B枚l眉mler zaten 3-4 paragraftan olu艧uyordu. Birisi, okumadan 枚nce, yazar谋n dilinin bu 艧ekilde oldu臒unu anlatsayd谋, muhtemelen asla 艧ans vermeyece臒im bir kitap olurdu. Ama konusuna ve yazar谋n diline okuduktan sonra bay谋ld谋m.
Judith鈥檌n ya艧ad谋臒谋 d枚nem, kad谋n谋n de臒ersiz g枚r眉ld眉臒眉, erkeklerin s枚zlerinin kad谋n谋 dar a臒ac谋na g枚t眉rebilece臒i bir d枚nemdi. En ufak bir dokunmaya ya da uygun olmayan bir durumda birlikte g枚r眉nmelerine bile fuhu艧 yap谋yor g枚z眉yle bak谋l谋yordu.
Ka莽谋r谋lm谋艧, dili kesilmi艧, 2 y谋l esir tutulmu艧, 18 ya艧谋nda bir k谋za, k枚y眉ne d枚nd眉臒眉nde gizli sakl谋 da olsa fahi艧e damgas谋 vurdular. Ve namuslu ge莽inen k枚y眉n bir grup beyefendisi?! k谋za her muameleyi yapmay谋 kendilerinde hak g枚rd眉. Judith, ya艧ad谋klar谋ndan dolay谋, ma臒dur de臒il su莽lu ilan edildi. Toplum vicdan谋nda yarg谋land谋, infaz edildi. K枚y halk谋n谋n 莽o臒u, 枚zellikle pislik annesi, d枚nd眉kten sonra g枚rmezlikten gelmeyi tercih etti.
Bana g枚re, annesi eski d枚nemler i莽in bile olsa fazla merhametsiz, fazla kat谋yd谋. Babas谋n谋n yoklu臒unda hayatta kalmak i莽in 莽ok zorlanm谋艧t谋 ama bu 2 y谋l sonra d枚nen k谋z谋na sevgi g枚stermesini engellememeliydi. Sevgi g枚stermeyi b谋rak, en b眉y眉k 枚n yarg谋l谋 davran谋艧谋 annesinden g枚rd眉. S眉rekli kusurlu?! k谋z谋n谋 birilerine yamamaya 莽al谋艧t谋, konu艧maya 莽al谋艧mas谋n谋 yasaklad谋.
Judith鈥檌 sevmemek m眉mk眉n de臒il 莽眉nk眉 hem k谋r谋lgan, naif hem de her 艧eye ra臒men akl谋na koydu臒unu yapan bir k谋zd谋. Lucas鈥檃 olan a艧k谋, ya艧ad谋klar谋 ve hissettikleri h眉z眉nl眉yd眉 ve 莽ok zordu. Tek istedi臒i 莽ocukluk a艧k谋yla birlikte olmak ve normal bir birey gibi hayat谋na devam edebilmek, elinden al谋nan gen莽li臒ini geri almakt谋.
Annesinin g枚stermedi臒i ilgi ve 艧efkati Maria鈥檇an g枚rd眉 ve ufakc谋k bir ilgilenmeyle, arkada艧l谋kla neler ba艧arabilece臒ini ke艧fetti. Bulundu臒u duruma ra臒men, konu艧maya 莽al谋艧mas谋 ve okuma-yazma 枚臒renme 莽abas谋 b眉y眉leyiciydi. Sanki esas okuma-yazma 枚臒rendi臒inde 枚zg眉rle艧ecekmi艧 gibi hissettirdi. Bir k枚y dolusu k枚t眉l眉臒眉n, 枚n yarg谋n谋n i莽inde, 眉莽 iyi insan谋n olmas谋 Judith鈥檈 yetti.
Yazar谋n diline al谋艧mas谋 biraz zor olsa da farkl谋 konusu ve tarz谋 a莽谋s谋ndan tavsiye edece臒im bir kitap oldu. Birbirinin benzeri kitaplar aras谋nda bana ila莽 gibi geldi.
馃摎Seni seyretti臒imi g枚r眉nce duraklam谋艧t谋n, el sall谋yordun. Korkmu艧 gibi bir halin vard谋. Ben de el sallad谋m.
陌ki senede tam bir erkek olmu艧tun. Kendime bakt谋m beni de kad谋n yapt谋klar谋n谋 hat谋rlad谋m. 陌ki senedir d眉艧眉ncelerimde hep sen vard谋n, 艧imdi de tam kar艧谋mda duruyordun i艧te, farkl谋 ama ayn谋. D枚rt ki艧iydik, 莽ocuk olarak biz, iki yabanc谋 olarak biz, sen ve ben.
馃摎E臒er seni daha fazla sevmeyi beceremeyece臒imi d眉艧眉nd眉ysem, seni yeterince anlamam谋艧谋m demektir.
馃摎E臒er benim olsayd谋n seni avuturdum; e臒er benim olsayd谋n avunmaya ihtiyac谋n olmazd谋! Bilmeden onun 芒艧谋臒谋n谋 eve getiren o cesur y眉rekli sendin.
馃摎鈥澞皊mi Ayaalet koyd-um. Sa-a verey-im ist-ers-en,鈥� diyorum.
Tekrar arkana yaslan谋yorsun. 鈥淗ayalet. Nereden buldun bu ismi?鈥�
鈥淎t deyi- ayaalet gibbi ya.鈥�
G枚zlerin durmadan konu艧maya davet ediyor beni.
鈥淏azan ak-谋m谋 oku-yo sa-谋yom.鈥�
K谋sa bir kahkaha patlat谋yorsun. 鈥淏ir de benim zihnimden ge莽enleri okusa, s谋k谋nt谋dan patlar.鈥�
K枚y眉n ilk evlerinden ge莽iyoruz. Bir daha konu艧tu臒unda irkiliyorum.
鈥淒emek bir at senin d眉艧眉ncelerini okuyabiliyor. Ne g枚r眉yor merak ediyorum.鈥�
D眉艧眉nmeden soruyorum. 鈥淓diyoo-n?鈥�
鈥淓minim bu k枚yde mevcut olanlardan daha iyi d眉艧眉ncelerin vard谋r.鈥�
鈥淎an-em Ayaaleti istemiyo.鈥�
鈥淗ayalet鈥檌 benim evdeki ah谋ra ba臒layabilirsin,鈥� diye 枚neriyorsun.
鈥淪a-a verey-im ist-ers-en,鈥� diyorum tekrar.
鈥淥lmaz, o senin. Ama ona yatacak yer verebilirim. Sen de diledi臒in zaman g枚rmeye gelirsin.鈥�
S枚ylediklerini daha kavrayamadan kafam谋 sallay谋p 枚nerini kabul ediyorum.
鈥淎ma e臒er Hayalet鈥檈 senin akl谋ndan ge莽enleri okurken ne g枚rd眉臒眉n眉 sorarsam,鈥� diyorsun, 鈥渟ak谋n bozulma.鈥�
馃摎脰yle yak谋n duruyorsun ki at谋m谋 t谋mar ederken birbirimize de臒iyoruz neredeyse.
Kaskat谋 durup kenara 莽ekilmeni bekliyorum.
Ne oluyor?
Duruyorsun, f谋r莽ay谋 yere at谋p bana yaslan谋yorsun. 脟eneni boneme dayayarak parmaklar谋nla kollar谋m谋 sar谋yorsun.
Kafam allak bullak, pani臒e kap谋l谋yorum. Dokunulmak istemiyorum.
鈥淵o鈥�, diyorum.
Hemen geri 莽ekilip ba艧谋n谋 ba艧ka tarafa 莽eviriyorsun. Derken gitmeye yelteniyorsun. Kap谋ya vard谋n bile.
鈥淣-iye?鈥� diyorum.
Oldu臒un yerde kal谋yorsun. 鈥淣e niye?鈥�
Nefes almaya, a臒lamamaya 莽al谋艧谋yorum. Az 枚nce olanlar谋 pek anlayabilmi艧 de臒ilim, ancak nedenini 枚臒renmem gerek. Bir zamanlar senin dokunu艧un i莽in her 艧eyi feda etmeye haz谋rd谋m. Her 艧eye, herhangi bir 艧eye dokunmak isteyen erkeklerin oyunca臒谋 olmayaca臒谋m. Kimse beni kolay lokma olarak g枚rmeyecek.
鈥淣-iye ben?鈥� Soluk al谋yorum. 鈥淏u n-iye?鈥�
陌莽eride Hayalet鈥檌n nefesinden ba艧ka 莽谋t 莽谋km谋yor.
鈥淗ep sen vard谋n U臒urb枚ce臒i,鈥� diyorsun tatl谋 tatl谋. 鈥淏ilmiyor musun?鈥�
馃摎鈥滲eni affet Judith.鈥� S枚zlerini i艧itmiyorum da hissediyorum adeta. 鈥淏udalal谋k ettim.鈥�
Y眉z眉m眉 ellerinin aras谋na al谋p g枚zlerime bakmak i莽in usulca 莽eviriyorsun. Bak谋艧lar谋nda teredd眉t ar谋yorum ama yok.
Aln谋n谋 aln谋ma yasl谋yorsun. Sonra ba艧谋ma bir 枚p眉c眉k konduruyorsun.
鈥淏ana bir 艧ans daha ver,鈥� diyen s枚zlerin geliyor kulaklar谋ma. 鈥溎皕in ver sesini duyay谋m U臒urb枚ce臒i. Daima.鈥�
August 31, 2018
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携 锌芯谢褍褔懈谢邪 褝褌褍 泻薪懈谐褍 褋芯胁械褉褕械薪薪芯 褋谢褍褔邪泄薪芯, 懈 褔械褋褌薪芯 谐芯胁芯褉褟, 懈蟹薪邪褔邪谢褜薪芯 械械 薪械 锌谢邪薪懈褉芯胁邪谢邪 褔懈褌邪褌褜. 袧芯 械褋谢懈 械褋褌褜 胁芯蟹屑芯卸薪芯褋褌褜, 褌芯 锌芯褔械屑褍 斜褘 懈 薪械褌?
协褌芯 芯褔械薪褜 薪械芯斜褘褔薪邪褟 泻薪懈谐邪. 袧械褌懈锌懈褔薪邪褟 懈 褟褉泻芯 胁褘写械谢褟械褌褋褟 薪邪 褎芯薪械 褌械褏 泻薪懈谐, 褔褌芯 褟 芯斜褘褔薪芯 褔懈褌邪褞. 袛谢褟 薪邪褔邪谢邪, 胁褉械屑褟, 泻芯谐写邪 胁 泻薪懈谐械 褉邪蟹胁芯褉邪褔懈胁邪褞褌褋褟 褋芯斜褘褌懈褟 胁 泻薪懈谐械 鈥� 袧袝 褋芯胁褉械屑械薪薪芯褋褌褜. 袨斜 褝褌芯屑 薪械 谐芯胁芯褉懈褌褋褟 薪懈 褉邪蟹褍 锌褉褟屑芯, 薪芯 褝褌芯 芯褌褔械褌谢懈胁芯 锌芯薪褟褌薪芯 锌芯 褋芯斜褘褌懈褟屑, 邪褌屑芯褋褎械褉械 懈 屑械谢芯褔邪褏. 袦械褋褌芯 写械泄褋褌胁懈褟 鈥� 屑邪谢械薪褜泻芯械 锌芯褋械谢械薪懈械, 谐芯褉芯写芯泻, 胁 泻芯褌芯褉芯屑 卸懈胁械褌 谐谢邪胁薪邪褟 谐械褉芯懈薪褟 袛卸褍写懈褌. 袛卸褍写懈褌 鈥� 懈蟹谐芯泄. 袛胁邪 谐芯写邪 薪邪蟹邪写 芯薪邪 懈 械械 谢褍褔褕邪褟 锌芯写褉褍谐邪 斜械蟹 胁械褋褌懈 锌褉芯锌邪谢懈. 袥芯褌褌懈 胁褋泻芯褉械 薪邪褕谢懈 屑械褉褌胁芯泄, 邪 袛卸褍写懈褌 胁械褉薪褍谢邪褋褜 谢懈褕褜 褋锌褍褋褌褟 写胁邪 谐芯写邪 鈥� 懈褋泻邪谢械褔械薪薪邪褟, 屑芯谢褔邪谢懈胁邪褟. 袙械褋褜 谐芯褉芯写 褏芯褔械褌 蟹薪邪褌褜, 褔褌芯 锌褉芯懈蟹芯褕谢芯 褋 袛卸褍写懈褌, 薪芯 芯薪邪 薪械 屑芯卸械褌 褉邪褋褋泻邪蟹邪褌褜. 袦邪谢褜褔懈泻 泻芯褌芯褉芯谐芯 芯薪邪 谢褞斜懈谢邪, 斜芯谢褜褕械 胁薪械 械械 写芯褋褟谐邪械屑芯褋褌懈. 袛械胁褍褕泻邪 褋褌邪薪芯胁懈褌褋褟 懈蟹谐芯械屑, 芯褌 薪械械 胁褋械 芯褌胁械褉薪褍谢懈褋褜, 写邪卸械 褉芯写薪邪褟 屑邪褌褜. 袧芯 胁 泻邪泻芯泄 褌芯 屑械褉械, 胁褋械 褝褌芯 写邪褉懈褌 谐械褉芯懈薪械 褋胁芯斜芯写褍. 袧械胁懈写懈屑芯褋褌褜. 袧械蟹邪屑械褌薪芯褋褌褜. 袧懈泻褌芯 薪械 芯斜褉邪褌懈褌 褋胁芯械 胁薪懈屑邪薪懈械 薪邪 锌褉懈蟹褉邪泻邪. 袝械 锌芯谢芯卸械薪懈械 锌芯蟹胁芯谢褟械褌 胁懈写械褌褜 胁褋械 胁 褟褋薪芯屑 懈 褔械褌泻芯屑 褋胁械褌械, 褌芯谐写邪 泻邪泻 芯褋褌邪谢褜薪褘械 卸懈胁褍褌 胁 褌褍屑邪薪械 懈 芯斜屑邪薪械. 袧芯 写邪卸械 薪械 褋屑芯褌褉褟 薪邪 褋胁芯械 锌芯谢芯卸械薪懈械, 芯褋芯斜蟹薪邪胁邪褟 褋胁芯褞 芦懈褋锌芯褉褔械薪薪芯褋褌褜禄, 袛卸褍写懈褌 薪械 屑芯卸械褌 芯褌泻邪蟹邪褌褜褋褟 芯褌 屑懈谢芯谐芯 屑邪谢褜褔懈泻邪 胁 泻芯褌芯褉芯谐芯 斜褘谢邪 胁谢褞斜谢械薪邪 褋褌芯谢褜泻芯, 褋泻芯谢褜泻芯 褋械斜褟 锌芯屑薪懈褌. 袪邪写懈 袥褍泻邪褋邪 芯薪邪 谐芯褌芯胁邪 薪邪 胁褋械. 小褌邪褌褜 械褖械 斜芯谢褜褕懈屑 懈蟹谐芯械屑, 锌芯卸械褉褌胁芯胁邪褌褜 芯褋褌邪褌泻邪屑懈 褋胁芯械泄 褋胁芯斜芯写褘. 袠谢懈鈥�. 袪邪褋褋泻邪蟹邪褌褜 锌褉邪胁写褍.
袨褔邪褉芯胁邪褌械谢褜薪邪褟 懈 屑褍褔懈褌械谢褜薪邪褟 泻薪懈谐邪 芯写薪芯胁褉械屑械薪薪芯. 小褌褉邪褕薪邪褟 懈 锌褉械泻褉邪褋薪邪褟. 袗胁褌芯褉褍 芯褔械薪褜 褍写邪谢芯褋褜 锌械褉械写邪褌褜 邪褌屑芯褋褎械褉薪芯褋褌褜 懈 谐谢褍斜懈薪褍 屑懈褉邪 褌芯谐芯 胁褉械屑械薪懈. 袣薪懈谐邪 褟褉泻邪褟 懈 屑褉邪褔薪邪褟 芯写薪芯胁褉械屑械薪薪芯. 袩芯谢薪邪褟 泻芯薪褌褉邪褋褌芯胁 鈥� 械褋谢懈 斜褘褌褜 褌芯褔薪械械, 芯褔械薪褜 褝屑芯褑懈芯薪邪谢褜薪邪褟. 袣 芯写薪芯屑褍 懈蟹 锌谢褞褋芯胁 芯褌薪械褋褍 褋褌懈谢褜 邪胁褌芯褉邪. 袨斜褘褔薪芯, 泻薪懈谐懈 芯褌 锌械褉胁芯谐芯 谢懈褑邪 锌懈褕褍褌褋褟 芯写懈薪邪泻芯胁芯, 薪邪锌褉懈屑械褉, 谐芯胁芯褉褟 锌褉芯 谐械褉芯褟 写械胁褍褕泻懈 胁 写褉褍谐懈褏 泻薪懈谐邪褏 谐芯胁芯褉褟褌 芦芯薪 锌芯写芯褕械谢 泻芯 屑薪械; 芯薪 锌芯褋屑芯褌褉械谢 薪邪 屑械薪褟禄, 蟹写械褋褜 卸械 谐械褉芯懈薪褟 屑褘褋谢械薪薪芯 胁褋械谐写邪 芯斜褉邪褖邪械褌褋褟 泻 谐械褉芯褞 薪邪锌褉褟屑褍褞, 泻薪懈谐邪 锌芯褏芯卸邪 薪邪 锌芯胁械褋褌胁芯胁邪薪懈械 胁 写薪械胁薪懈泻械. 芦孝褘 锌芯褋屑芯褌褉械谢 薪邪 屑械薪褟禄, 芦孝褘 褋泻邪蟹邪谢 屑薪械禄 - 胁褋械 胁 褌邪泻芯屑 锌谢邪薪械. 袨褔械薪褜 薪械褌懈锌懈褔薪芯. 袠 械褖械 芯写薪芯 写芯褋褌芯懈薪褋褌胁芯 鈥� 芯斜褗械屑, 泻薪懈谐邪 芯褔械薪褜 屑邪谢械薪褜泻邪褟, 锌褉懈 褋胁芯斜芯写薪芯屑 胁褉械屑械薪懈 写胁邪-褌褉懈 褔邪褋邪 懈 胁褋械 锌褉芯褔懈褌邪薪芯.
小 褍写芯胁芯谢褜褋褌胁懈械屑 锌芯写芯卸写褍 懈 芯褑械薪褞 写褉褍谐懈械 褉邪斜芯褌褘 邪胁褌芯褉邪.
袦芯褟 芯褑械薪泻邪: 8/10
携 锌芯谢褍褔懈谢邪 褝褌褍 泻薪懈谐褍 褋芯胁械褉褕械薪薪芯 褋谢褍褔邪泄薪芯, 懈 褔械褋褌薪芯 谐芯胁芯褉褟, 懈蟹薪邪褔邪谢褜薪芯 械械 薪械 锌谢邪薪懈褉芯胁邪谢邪 褔懈褌邪褌褜. 袧芯 械褋谢懈 械褋褌褜 胁芯蟹屑芯卸薪芯褋褌褜, 褌芯 锌芯褔械屑褍 斜褘 懈 薪械褌?
协褌芯 芯褔械薪褜 薪械芯斜褘褔薪邪褟 泻薪懈谐邪. 袧械褌懈锌懈褔薪邪褟 懈 褟褉泻芯 胁褘写械谢褟械褌褋褟 薪邪 褎芯薪械 褌械褏 泻薪懈谐, 褔褌芯 褟 芯斜褘褔薪芯 褔懈褌邪褞. 袛谢褟 薪邪褔邪谢邪, 胁褉械屑褟, 泻芯谐写邪 胁 泻薪懈谐械 褉邪蟹胁芯褉邪褔懈胁邪褞褌褋褟 褋芯斜褘褌懈褟 胁 泻薪懈谐械 鈥� 袧袝 褋芯胁褉械屑械薪薪芯褋褌褜. 袨斜 褝褌芯屑 薪械 谐芯胁芯褉懈褌褋褟 薪懈 褉邪蟹褍 锌褉褟屑芯, 薪芯 褝褌芯 芯褌褔械褌谢懈胁芯 锌芯薪褟褌薪芯 锌芯 褋芯斜褘褌懈褟屑, 邪褌屑芯褋褎械褉械 懈 屑械谢芯褔邪褏. 袦械褋褌芯 写械泄褋褌胁懈褟 鈥� 屑邪谢械薪褜泻芯械 锌芯褋械谢械薪懈械, 谐芯褉芯写芯泻, 胁 泻芯褌芯褉芯屑 卸懈胁械褌 谐谢邪胁薪邪褟 谐械褉芯懈薪褟 袛卸褍写懈褌. 袛卸褍写懈褌 鈥� 懈蟹谐芯泄. 袛胁邪 谐芯写邪 薪邪蟹邪写 芯薪邪 懈 械械 谢褍褔褕邪褟 锌芯写褉褍谐邪 斜械蟹 胁械褋褌懈 锌褉芯锌邪谢懈. 袥芯褌褌懈 胁褋泻芯褉械 薪邪褕谢懈 屑械褉褌胁芯泄, 邪 袛卸褍写懈褌 胁械褉薪褍谢邪褋褜 谢懈褕褜 褋锌褍褋褌褟 写胁邪 谐芯写邪 鈥� 懈褋泻邪谢械褔械薪薪邪褟, 屑芯谢褔邪谢懈胁邪褟. 袙械褋褜 谐芯褉芯写 褏芯褔械褌 蟹薪邪褌褜, 褔褌芯 锌褉芯懈蟹芯褕谢芯 褋 袛卸褍写懈褌, 薪芯 芯薪邪 薪械 屑芯卸械褌 褉邪褋褋泻邪蟹邪褌褜. 袦邪谢褜褔懈泻 泻芯褌芯褉芯谐芯 芯薪邪 谢褞斜懈谢邪, 斜芯谢褜褕械 胁薪械 械械 写芯褋褟谐邪械屑芯褋褌懈. 袛械胁褍褕泻邪 褋褌邪薪芯胁懈褌褋褟 懈蟹谐芯械屑, 芯褌 薪械械 胁褋械 芯褌胁械褉薪褍谢懈褋褜, 写邪卸械 褉芯写薪邪褟 屑邪褌褜. 袧芯 胁 泻邪泻芯泄 褌芯 屑械褉械, 胁褋械 褝褌芯 写邪褉懈褌 谐械褉芯懈薪械 褋胁芯斜芯写褍. 袧械胁懈写懈屑芯褋褌褜. 袧械蟹邪屑械褌薪芯褋褌褜. 袧懈泻褌芯 薪械 芯斜褉邪褌懈褌 褋胁芯械 胁薪懈屑邪薪懈械 薪邪 锌褉懈蟹褉邪泻邪. 袝械 锌芯谢芯卸械薪懈械 锌芯蟹胁芯谢褟械褌 胁懈写械褌褜 胁褋械 胁 褟褋薪芯屑 懈 褔械褌泻芯屑 褋胁械褌械, 褌芯谐写邪 泻邪泻 芯褋褌邪谢褜薪褘械 卸懈胁褍褌 胁 褌褍屑邪薪械 懈 芯斜屑邪薪械. 袧芯 写邪卸械 薪械 褋屑芯褌褉褟 薪邪 褋胁芯械 锌芯谢芯卸械薪懈械, 芯褋芯斜蟹薪邪胁邪褟 褋胁芯褞 芦懈褋锌芯褉褔械薪薪芯褋褌褜禄, 袛卸褍写懈褌 薪械 屑芯卸械褌 芯褌泻邪蟹邪褌褜褋褟 芯褌 屑懈谢芯谐芯 屑邪谢褜褔懈泻邪 胁 泻芯褌芯褉芯谐芯 斜褘谢邪 胁谢褞斜谢械薪邪 褋褌芯谢褜泻芯, 褋泻芯谢褜泻芯 褋械斜褟 锌芯屑薪懈褌. 袪邪写懈 袥褍泻邪褋邪 芯薪邪 谐芯褌芯胁邪 薪邪 胁褋械. 小褌邪褌褜 械褖械 斜芯谢褜褕懈屑 懈蟹谐芯械屑, 锌芯卸械褉褌胁芯胁邪褌褜 芯褋褌邪褌泻邪屑懈 褋胁芯械泄 褋胁芯斜芯写褘. 袠谢懈鈥�. 袪邪褋褋泻邪蟹邪褌褜 锌褉邪胁写褍.
袨褔邪褉芯胁邪褌械谢褜薪邪褟 懈 屑褍褔懈褌械谢褜薪邪褟 泻薪懈谐邪 芯写薪芯胁褉械屑械薪薪芯. 小褌褉邪褕薪邪褟 懈 锌褉械泻褉邪褋薪邪褟. 袗胁褌芯褉褍 芯褔械薪褜 褍写邪谢芯褋褜 锌械褉械写邪褌褜 邪褌屑芯褋褎械褉薪芯褋褌褜 懈 谐谢褍斜懈薪褍 屑懈褉邪 褌芯谐芯 胁褉械屑械薪懈. 袣薪懈谐邪 褟褉泻邪褟 懈 屑褉邪褔薪邪褟 芯写薪芯胁褉械屑械薪薪芯. 袩芯谢薪邪褟 泻芯薪褌褉邪褋褌芯胁 鈥� 械褋谢懈 斜褘褌褜 褌芯褔薪械械, 芯褔械薪褜 褝屑芯褑懈芯薪邪谢褜薪邪褟. 袣 芯写薪芯屑褍 懈蟹 锌谢褞褋芯胁 芯褌薪械褋褍 褋褌懈谢褜 邪胁褌芯褉邪. 袨斜褘褔薪芯, 泻薪懈谐懈 芯褌 锌械褉胁芯谐芯 谢懈褑邪 锌懈褕褍褌褋褟 芯写懈薪邪泻芯胁芯, 薪邪锌褉懈屑械褉, 谐芯胁芯褉褟 锌褉芯 谐械褉芯褟 写械胁褍褕泻懈 胁 写褉褍谐懈褏 泻薪懈谐邪褏 谐芯胁芯褉褟褌 芦芯薪 锌芯写芯褕械谢 泻芯 屑薪械; 芯薪 锌芯褋屑芯褌褉械谢 薪邪 屑械薪褟禄, 蟹写械褋褜 卸械 谐械褉芯懈薪褟 屑褘褋谢械薪薪芯 胁褋械谐写邪 芯斜褉邪褖邪械褌褋褟 泻 谐械褉芯褞 薪邪锌褉褟屑褍褞, 泻薪懈谐邪 锌芯褏芯卸邪 薪邪 锌芯胁械褋褌胁芯胁邪薪懈械 胁 写薪械胁薪懈泻械. 芦孝褘 锌芯褋屑芯褌褉械谢 薪邪 屑械薪褟禄, 芦孝褘 褋泻邪蟹邪谢 屑薪械禄 - 胁褋械 胁 褌邪泻芯屑 锌谢邪薪械. 袨褔械薪褜 薪械褌懈锌懈褔薪芯. 袠 械褖械 芯写薪芯 写芯褋褌芯懈薪褋褌胁芯 鈥� 芯斜褗械屑, 泻薪懈谐邪 芯褔械薪褜 屑邪谢械薪褜泻邪褟, 锌褉懈 褋胁芯斜芯写薪芯屑 胁褉械屑械薪懈 写胁邪-褌褉懈 褔邪褋邪 懈 胁褋械 锌褉芯褔懈褌邪薪芯.
小 褍写芯胁芯谢褜褋褌胁懈械屑 锌芯写芯卸写褍 懈 芯褑械薪褞 写褉褍谐懈械 褉邪斜芯褌褘 邪胁褌芯褉邪.
袦芯褟 芯褑械薪泻邪: 8/10
January 14, 2019
I鈥檓 so shocked. At almost the halfway point I was so sure I was going to DNF it. The writing style was so different and hard to get used to. The timeline was odd. But something happened man. I pushed through and got used to the writing style and started to really love the book. I want to immediately reread it since I鈥檓 used to the writing style. The main character was so beautiful and captivating. I just wanted to sit her down with some tea and ask what happened to her. I know it鈥檚 strange to give a book 5 stars when you hated the beginning but I鈥檓 doing it. No one can stop me.
June 27, 2015
If you were mine I'd comfort you. If you were mine you'd need no comfort!
-Judith
Edited review to come.
-Judith
Edited review to come.
November 23, 2019
or borrow it from the library.
Meh... the last 15% of the book is the ONLY good part. I might write more later and I might not.
Meh... the last 15% of the book is the ONLY good part. I might write more later and I might not.
July 6, 2013
Quick Preview
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No one knows what happened to Judith and Lottie when they disappeared 4 years ago. Two years afterwards, Judith comes back mutilated and lacking the ability to speak. The people she once knew shun her. Even her own mother won't call her by her real name. She finds herself longing after Lucas, her childhood friend, who have always been the one to understand her. When Roswell Station is attacked, things take a turn, and the truth begins to unravel. Judith struggles with the decision whether to stay silent or to find her once lost voice.
Thoughts :
I was a little hesitant to read All the Truth That's in Me at first because it seemed very intense. Having already read and , both with dark atmospheres, I wasn't sure if I was ready to plunge into another serious book. I then decided I should just read it, and I'm so glad I did.
Let me just say that the cover is perfect.
I knew beforehand that this was the type of book that keeps you guessing until the end. At first, I thought that might be somewhat frustrating for me, but it never appeared as a problem when I was reading. The format of the book is written almost like a letter, or as if Judith is telling her friend of an old memory. It was different and written magnificently. This story takes place a while back, in a small town where everyone knew each other and went to church. (Sort of like the setting in )
During the story, I found myself feeling for Judith, and the tears never stopped coming. Honestly, I felt like I was crying for her and for every bad thing that came along. I don't think I had felt so bad for a character in my entire life. The other characters were well developed. They all played a role in this book, and I didn't feel like there were any unnecessary characters. While reading, I completely despised her mom. She was terrible and insensitive. I don't want to give away too much, but man, she was bad. Judith seemed so alone, so I was grateful for the friendships she made. This was one of those books that have the potential to be life changing.
Throughout the book, people treat Judith so cruelly for crimes she never committed, and I couldn't help but hope that Judith gets her happy ending. I won't spoil anything, but I hope you pick up this whirlwind of a book when it comes out on September 26. Seriously, read this book. You want to, trust me. It's amazing.
By the way, I'm so honored to be able to read this book before its release date. **I won a copy at I Read to Relax's BEA event giveaway.
Thanks to Kendra Levin, and Viking Children's Books for providing ARCs.* My having a copy did not influence the contents of this review.
No one knows what happened to Judith and Lottie when they disappeared 4 years ago. Two years afterwards, Judith comes back mutilated and lacking the ability to speak. The people she once knew shun her. Even her own mother won't call her by her real name. She finds herself longing after Lucas, her childhood friend, who have always been the one to understand her. When Roswell Station is attacked, things take a turn, and the truth begins to unravel. Judith struggles with the decision whether to stay silent or to find her once lost voice.
Thoughts :
I was a little hesitant to read All the Truth That's in Me at first because it seemed very intense. Having already read and , both with dark atmospheres, I wasn't sure if I was ready to plunge into another serious book. I then decided I should just read it, and I'm so glad I did.
Let me just say that the cover is perfect.
I knew beforehand that this was the type of book that keeps you guessing until the end. At first, I thought that might be somewhat frustrating for me, but it never appeared as a problem when I was reading. The format of the book is written almost like a letter, or as if Judith is telling her friend of an old memory. It was different and written magnificently. This story takes place a while back, in a small town where everyone knew each other and went to church. (Sort of like the setting in )
During the story, I found myself feeling for Judith, and the tears never stopped coming. Honestly, I felt like I was crying for her and for every bad thing that came along. I don't think I had felt so bad for a character in my entire life. The other characters were well developed. They all played a role in this book, and I didn't feel like there were any unnecessary characters. While reading, I completely despised her mom. She was terrible and insensitive. I don't want to give away too much, but man, she was bad. Judith seemed so alone, so I was grateful for the friendships she made. This was one of those books that have the potential to be life changing.
Throughout the book, people treat Judith so cruelly for crimes she never committed, and I couldn't help but hope that Judith gets her happy ending. I won't spoil anything, but I hope you pick up this whirlwind of a book when it comes out on September 26. Seriously, read this book. You want to, trust me. It's amazing.
By the way, I'm so honored to be able to read this book before its release date. **I won a copy at I Read to Relax's BEA event giveaway.
Thanks to Kendra Levin, and Viking Children's Books for providing ARCs.* My having a copy did not influence the contents of this review.
October 29, 2013
(Source: I own a copy of this book.)
Judith was abducted 2 years ago, and has now returned home with her tongue cut out.
She lives in a small village community, in a non-modern time, and is made to feel pretty worthless.
She fancies a boy called Lucas, but it seems clear to everyone but her, that he will never marry her.
Why was Judith abducted? Why was she returned? What did she suffer during her 2 years of captivity? And what truths is she unable to tell?
This was a really strange book, and not at all what I was expecting.
Judith was an okay character, but living in her head felt a bit messy! As the story went on I began to realise why she was voluntarily mute, but I kinda wished she鈥檇 speak up and stand up for herself a bit, and I hated how women were treated as lesser than the men in Judith鈥檚 society.
This book was not what I was expecting at all. I was expecting a mystery/ suspense story, and instead I got this strange historical fiction/mystery story. I thought that this would be a mystery about Judith鈥檚 disappearance, but instead it seemed to be more about her life after she returned, and the way that people behaved towards her.
The writing was also odd. In places I appreciated in, and in others I didn鈥檛. At times it was almost like poetry, whilst at others the odd, choppy, stilted sentences were just irritating. It definitely took time for me to get into this book, and I did eventually begin to catch on to the way the author had written the book, but unfortunately for me, by the time I had begun to appreciate the book, the storyline just went downhill, and I was bored.
The ending was actually okay, although I was pleased that the book was shorter than I thought. I was pleased that there was a happy ending, but I can鈥檛 say that I really enjoyed getting there.
This book was just nothing like what I was expecting, and I think a lot of people will find this difficult to appreciate. I had no idea that this book didn鈥檛 have a contemporary setting, and I think a lot of people will feel exactly the same way.
Overall; a strange historical fiction story, with a very different writing style.
4.5 out of 10.
Judith was abducted 2 years ago, and has now returned home with her tongue cut out.
She lives in a small village community, in a non-modern time, and is made to feel pretty worthless.
She fancies a boy called Lucas, but it seems clear to everyone but her, that he will never marry her.
Why was Judith abducted? Why was she returned? What did she suffer during her 2 years of captivity? And what truths is she unable to tell?
This was a really strange book, and not at all what I was expecting.
Judith was an okay character, but living in her head felt a bit messy! As the story went on I began to realise why she was voluntarily mute, but I kinda wished she鈥檇 speak up and stand up for herself a bit, and I hated how women were treated as lesser than the men in Judith鈥檚 society.
This book was not what I was expecting at all. I was expecting a mystery/ suspense story, and instead I got this strange historical fiction/mystery story. I thought that this would be a mystery about Judith鈥檚 disappearance, but instead it seemed to be more about her life after she returned, and the way that people behaved towards her.
The writing was also odd. In places I appreciated in, and in others I didn鈥檛. At times it was almost like poetry, whilst at others the odd, choppy, stilted sentences were just irritating. It definitely took time for me to get into this book, and I did eventually begin to catch on to the way the author had written the book, but unfortunately for me, by the time I had begun to appreciate the book, the storyline just went downhill, and I was bored.
The ending was actually okay, although I was pleased that the book was shorter than I thought. I was pleased that there was a happy ending, but I can鈥檛 say that I really enjoyed getting there.
This book was just nothing like what I was expecting, and I think a lot of people will find this difficult to appreciate. I had no idea that this book didn鈥檛 have a contemporary setting, and I think a lot of people will feel exactly the same way.
Overall; a strange historical fiction story, with a very different writing style.
4.5 out of 10.
August 8, 2015
I don't normally read historical fiction, but if there are more books as good as this one, I'm sure going to read more of this genre.
This book is hauntingly beautiful, and I love everything about it, even the parts that wrecked my heart.
The story was so captivating that I couldn't think of anything else, but this book - how Judith's life was going be, who had done that to her and why. Just several pages in, I wept like a baby. My heart ached for her and what she had to go through. Being shunned and discriminated against even when she herself was a victim was just so cruel beyond words could describe.
This is one of the books that I will find time to reread. Because once is not enough.
(Some) Favorite Quotes
"You are the sun in my world, and how can I endure to watch you set into another woman's arms?"
"If you'd let me, I'd kiss away your fear, and let you rest yourself upon me, and I, I would die beside you and count my self lucky."
"If you were mine I'd comfort you; if you were mine you'd need no comfort."
This book is hauntingly beautiful, and I love everything about it, even the parts that wrecked my heart.
The story was so captivating that I couldn't think of anything else, but this book - how Judith's life was going be, who had done that to her and why. Just several pages in, I wept like a baby. My heart ached for her and what she had to go through. Being shunned and discriminated against even when she herself was a victim was just so cruel beyond words could describe.
This is one of the books that I will find time to reread. Because once is not enough.
(Some) Favorite Quotes
"You are the sun in my world, and how can I endure to watch you set into another woman's arms?"
"If you'd let me, I'd kiss away your fear, and let you rest yourself upon me, and I, I would die beside you and count my self lucky."
"If you were mine I'd comfort you; if you were mine you'd need no comfort."
April 29, 2017
On two uncertain feet she stood
And feared her long unpracticed throat,
If tested, might, instead of speech,
Keep the mourning lowing she had known.
So hushed, and secretly she part lips,
And trembling,spoke in her lost voice
Lyrical and enchanting.
Two words that come to mind when I think of this novel.
Beautiful and engaging.
There are more but I'll stick with those.
I am blown away by the intricate plot
and intriguing characters.
This took me by surprise.
Original and unpredictable.
So lucky to have found this hidden gem!
Love love loved it! Highly Recommend this one!
And feared her long unpracticed throat,
If tested, might, instead of speech,
Keep the mourning lowing she had known.
So hushed, and secretly she part lips,
And trembling,spoke in her lost voice
Lyrical and enchanting.
Two words that come to mind when I think of this novel.
Beautiful and engaging.
There are more but I'll stick with those.
I am blown away by the intricate plot
and intriguing characters.
This took me by surprise.
Original and unpredictable.
So lucky to have found this hidden gem!
Love love loved it! Highly Recommend this one!
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